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CanonicalGlobal Payroll Manager
Canonical is hiring a Global Payroll Manager, a management role for someone who enjoys building scalable systems, automating manual work and raising operational standards in a…
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About This Role
Canonical is hiring a Global Payroll Manager, a management role for someone who enjoys building scalable systems, automating manual work and raising operational standards in a fast-growing technology business. The company works with a remote, international workforce and has no central headquarters. Colleagues are expected to meet high standards of excellence. The post is home-based within EMEA hours, with a London office base also available. It reports to the Global…
Job Description
Canonical is hiring a Global Payroll Manager, a management role for someone who enjoys building scalable systems, automating manual work and raising operational standards in a fast-growing technology business. The company works with a remote, international workforce and has no central headquarters. Colleagues are expected to meet high standards of excellence.
The post is home-based within EMEA hours, with a London office base also available. It reports to the Global Financial Controller. The manager will help scale the payroll infrastructure as the company grows internationally, and will raise the standard of operational excellence across payroll.
The manager runs end-to-end payroll across several countries, reviewing and approving each payroll before it is finalised. Other duties include setting and maintaining payroll controls, running payroll and salary cost analyses and explaining variances, and making sure tax, statutory and reporting obligations are met in every jurisdiction. The post is the main contact for payroll-related audits, monitors legislative changes, and maintains policies, procedures and relationships with external payroll providers. It also liaises with HR, the accounting team, payables, treasury and FP&A, and looks for ways to apply modern tools, AI among them, to sharpen reports. The manager leads, mentors and coaches a global team of payroll professionals.
Applicants should hold a first degree grounded in accounting or finance, or explain a different route to the same skills, and bring significant multi-country payroll experience. Strong knowledge of payroll compliance, tax and internal controls, experience handling audits, and proficiency with payroll systems and spreadsheets are important. The posting also asks for travel of up to two weeks, twice a year. No salary is stated.
Responsibilities
- Run end-to-end payroll across several countries on time and accurately
- Review and approve payrolls before final processing
- Set and maintain payroll controls for accuracy and compliance
- Analyse payroll and salary costs, explaining any variances
- Meet payroll tax, statutory and reporting requirements in each jurisdiction
- Act as the main contact for payroll audits
- Track legislative changes that affect payroll
- Improve payroll processes, scalability and the employee experience
- Keep payroll rules, process documents and the control framework current
- Manage relationships and service levels with payroll vendors
- Lead, mentor and coach the global payroll team
Requirements
- Exceptional academic record from high school and university
- A first degree grounded in accounting or finance, or else a well-argued alternative background
- Significant experience running multi-country or global payroll
- Solid grounding in payroll compliance, tax rules and internal controls
- Handling of payroll audits and regulatory requirements
- Comfort with payroll software, HR information systems and spreadsheet work
- Solid analysis, troubleshooting and reconciliation abilities
- Leadership and commitment to developing others
- Able to go abroad twice annually for events lasting up to a fortnight
Qualifications
- Experience implementing or improving payroll platforms and HRIS systems
- Payroll management experience at a listed or pre-IPO company
- Experience supporting rapid growth, including launching payroll in new countries
- MBA or another relevant business degree
Core Skills
Benefits
- Yearly learning budget of USD 2,000 for personal development
- Face-to-face team gatherings twice a year
- Pay reviewed twice a year, plus recognition awards
- Forty days of paid annual leave, counting public holidays and company-wide closure periods
- Paid maternity and paternity leave
- Team member support programme and wellness platform
- Opportunities to travel to new cities, with lounge access
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers are based only on the employer’s listing; where it doesn’t say, neither do we.
Where is this role based?
The role is home-based within EMEA hours, with a London office base also available.
Who does the role report to?
It reports to the Global Financial Controller.
What experience is needed?
Significant multi-country payroll experience, knowledge of payroll compliance and tax, and experience with payroll audits are required.
Is a salary stated?
The posting does not specify a salary.
Sample Interview Questions
AI-generated questions tailored to this specific role — a preview of the full practice set.
