Requirements Of The Role:

• Proven experience managing payroll operations across multiple countries or entities.
  
• Strong understanding of payroll principles, statutory compliance, taxation, and benefits processing.
  
• Experience working with outsourced payroll vendors and MSPs in a shared-services environment.
  
• Proficiency with HRIS and payroll systems (SAP SuccessFactors, Oracle, or equivalent).
  
• Knowledge of audit and control requirements related to payroll governance.
  
• Written and verbal proficiency in English
  

Payroll Processing

• Manage the end-to-end payroll cycle for assigned countries, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timeliness.
  
• Review and validate employee data from MyHR and other sources to prepare for payroll runs, proactively identifying discrepancies and ensuring data integrity.
  
• Coordinate with the MSP, Finance, and HR to ensure readiness for payroll processing, approvals, and payment.
  
• Execute payroll calculations manually (for non-outsourced payrolls) or through vendor systems, verifying outcomes for accuracy.
  

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure payroll operations comply with statutory, tax, and social-security regulations in each country.
  
• Liaise with government bodies for statutory submissions, inspections, and queries.
  
• Maintain full documentation for audit readiness and participate actively in internal and external audit reviews
  

Vendor & Stakeholder Management

• Coordinate daily with the MSP and local payroll vendors to ensure SLA adherence, accuracy, and proactive issue resolution.
  
• Support quarterly vendor governance meetings and performance reviews
  
• Collaborate with Finance, Advisory, Reward, and People Data teams to ensure integrated service delivery.
  

Case Management

• Manage payroll-related queries and tickets through the case-management platform (e.g., C4C), ensuring prompt, professional, and compliant responses.
  
• Maintain comprehensive case records for audit and reporting.
  
• Identify recurring issues and propose process improvements to prevent reoccurrence.
  
• Collaborate with other functions to resolve complex or cross-functional cases impacting payroll accuracy or timelines.
  

Continuous Improvement & Digital Enablement

• Support automation and standardisation of payroll processes to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
  
• Identify process bottlenecks and recommend actionable improvements.
  
• Participate in testing and implementation of payroll system upgrades or integrations.
  
• Maintain payroll SOPs, work instructions, and process maps to ensure procedural consistency and knowledge continuity.
  

Records & Reporting

• Maintain payroll documentation, reports, and approvals in accordance with British Council’s IGRM and data-protection frameworks.
  
• Generate and analyse payroll reports to provide insights on trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
  
• Ensure all payroll records are securely stored and retrievable for audits and governance reviews.
  

Teamwork & Collaboration

• Support colleagues during high-volume cycles, absences, or transitions to ensure service continuity.
  
• Share expertise and provide guidance to junior team members (e.g., Payroll Officers).