Payroll Manager

Overview

Acolad is the global leader in content and language solutions. Its mission is to support companies in every industry to scale across markets and enable growth through cutting-edge technology and localization expertise. Established in 1995, the group is present in 22 countries across Europe, North America and Asia, with over 1.600 employees supported by a network of +10.000 linguists around the world.

Based in Lisbon and reporting directly to the CHRO, the Group Payroll Manager will take full accountability for payroll operations across 22 countries, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency. In the short term, the role will oversee end-to-end payroll delivery for the French entity (:400 employees). In the long term, the Global Payroll Manager will design and implement a centralized Payroll & HR Administration Shared Services Center in Lisbon, harmonizing processes, migrating to a group-wide payroll tool, and managing vendor relationships. This position combines operational excellence with strategic transformation leadership, ensuring payroll consistency, regulatory compliance, and scalable HR support across all geographies.

Key Responsibilities

- Shared Services Design & Implementation: Lead the creation of a centralized Payroll & HR Administration hub in Lisbon. Define operating models, processes, tools, and SLAs to ensure scalability across regions. Manage payroll vendor RFPs, negotiations, and ongoing vendor performance. Oversee payroll migration projects starting with France, ensuring alignment with Group standards. Drive implementation of a group-wide payroll system and harmonization of payroll practices.
- Payroll Operations & Compliance: Supervise monthly payroll cycles, validations, reconciliations, and external declarations. Manage complex cases, disputes, simulations, and compliance checks. Oversee monthly payroll closing, checks, and external declarations. Ensure timely compliance with local legislation, audits, and reporting requirements. Act as the main contact for local authorities, social security, and insurance providers when required.
- Personnel Administration: Oversee administrative processes across the employee lifecycle: contracts, amendments, letters, records. Manage absence tracking and health-related cases and associated legal procedures. Ensure continuous compliance through monitoring regulatory changes and updating processes accordingly.
- HRIS & HR Reporting: Collaborate with HR Operations teams on system configuration and payroll tool enhancements. Produce payroll and HR reports for Finance, management, and HR. Maintain accuracy of employee data across systems and support audits. Use SuccessFactors and advanced Excel tools to automate and optimize reporting.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration & Support: Act as interface between HR, Finance, and local teams to ensure data consistency. Respond to employee and manager queries regarding payroll and HR processes. Provide operational advice to managers on payroll-related matters. Drive continuous improvement initiatives and global HR process harmonization.

Requirements

- Experience: 10+ years of professional experience in payroll and personnel administration, ideally in an international or shared services environment.
- Proven experience in leading payroll teams and managing large-scale vendor relationships.
- Hands-on expertise in French payroll legislation and compliance.
- Track record of successful payroll migration and system implementation projects.
- Level of Education: Bachelor’s degree. Field: Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or related field.
- Language: English (Mandatory), French (Mandatory); Portuguese, Spanish, or German (Nice to Have).
- Job Specific Skills: Proficiency with French payroll, legislation and practices; mandatory proficiency with Cegid and experience with ADP (GlobalView, Streamline, or Celergo), ideally as part of a migration project; experience coordinating or implementing payroll tools; strong HRIS knowledge (SuccessFactors a strong plus); prior experience as a technical lead or team manager is a plus; high attention to detail and confidentiality.
- IT Skills: MS Office; Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, formulas, automation).

Acolad is committed to creating a diverse and equitable workforce. We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its forms enrich the workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their backgrounds.

Seniority level

- Director

Employment type

- Full-time

Job function

- Human Resources
- Industries: Translation and Localization

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