Regional Payroll Leader - Europe

Who are we?

At Pearson, we’re committed to a world that’s always learning and to our talented team who makes it all possible. From bringing lectures vividly to life to turning textbooks into laptop lessons, we are always re-examining the way people learn best, whether it’s one child in our own backyard or an education community across the globe. We also create incredible assessment clinical and professional tests to help people to growth in their personal and professional lives. We are bold thinkers and standout innovators who motivate each other to explore new frontiers in an environment that supports and inspires us to always be better. By pushing the boundaries of technology — and each other to surpass these boundaries — we create seeds of learning that become the catalyst for the world’s innovations, personal and global, large, and small.

What you’ll do

As a Regional Payroll Leader at Pearson, you will oversee payroll operations across Europe and serve as the primary point of contact for all payroll-related matters in the region. This is a high-profile position where you will lead, mentor, and develop a diverse team of payroll professionals. Your influence will be significant as you contribute to shaping and transforming Pearson's global payroll Center of Excellence. Your role will be pivotal in supporting Pearson's ongoing growth and addressing the increasing complexities of global payroll compliance.

Pearson’s Global Payroll team has been recognized by the Global Payroll Association as short-listed nominees across various categories. Our team members have been featured on industry podcasts such as PayTalk and The Payroll Podcast.

Who you will work with

You will lead a team of analysts and payroll administrators. This role reports directly to the Vice President of Payroll. You will work closely with the broader global payroll team, Pearson business leaders, Pearson’s HR Care teams, HR Business Partners, HR Centers of Excellence, Finance, Technology, and service providers.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership and direction to your geographically dispersed team

Accountable for the efficient and effective allocation of resources, promoting agility and development while supporting business continuity and segregation of duties

Accountable for the accurate and timely distribution of payroll across Europe while maintaining the highest compliance standards aligned with complex and ever-evolving regulations, including GDPR

Stay abreast of markets’ pay, tax, and compliance changes; take proactive measures to ensure the internal team and applicable stakeholders are aware of changes and the impacts on the business

Management of third-party service provider relationships

Create and maintain the region’s annual operating budget

Refine and cyclically report KPIs. Monitor and track trends and address areas of opportunity

Partner with stakeholders to launch / maintain Service Now for case management and workflow optimization; evaluate SLAs for appropriateness

In partnership with HR Care teams, may support requests from workers councils and trade unions

Adapt Pearson’s processes and technologies to reflect the dynamic working environment, including flexible and multi-jurisdiction arrangements

Maintain a high bar on talent, coaching and developing the organization into a strategic, high-performing payroll function that fuels Pearson’s success

Required skills / experience :

Proven relevant work experience in multi-entity, multi-country payroll

Experience leading payroll operations for Europe, ideally for at least one of the following countries : Poland, the , Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain

Will consider experience leading Finance, Accounting, Tax, or Human Resource operations in a complex, multi-entity organization

Must be fluent in English, both spoken and written

Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to lead others and work effectively with teams and cultures around the world, of all job levels, and in a remote working environment

Strong relationship-building skills, problem-solving abilities, and active listening skills

What Sets us Apart?

Benefits and Rewards

We know you’ll do great work, so we give a lot back with some of the best benefits in the business. We know that one size doesn’t fit all, so our workplace programmes meet the different needs of our diverse teams, and their families too. There is a range of options, but when you join our Pearson family these are some of the benefits that we offer that you can look forward to :

Work in global environment and grow your professional network

Unlimited access to rich sources of knowledge (Over 22000 Pearson materials)

Attractive benefits including MultiSport Card, cinema and theatre tickets, touristic excursions, etc.)

Private health care for you and your family

Accident insurance for you and your family

Opportunity to master your English skills at daily work and / or by taking companywide English classes

Work-life balance, Flexible working arrangement

Paid leave for volunteer purposes

Annual bonus based on performance

Annual Christmas funding

Holidays funding (biennially)

Fantastic Pension plan, PPK at 4%

Invest and Earn money and / or become a shareholder with Pearson Worldwide programme ‘Save for Shares'

Maternity, paternity, and family care leave

Employee wellbeing assistance and much more.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

We’re committed to equity and opportunity, so that all learners can realise the life they imagine and see themselves in our services and products. We believe learning is a powerful force for change and that diversity, equity and inclusion are fundamental to who we are. We’re committed to addressing all forms of systematic racism, discrimination and inequality in everything we do.

We also believe in giving everyone in the company the chance to help shape a more inclusive culture, in which everyone feels a sense of belonging and in which everyone acts with integrity day-in, day-out.