Payroll Specialist – BeNe & EMEA

Payroll Specialist – Belgium, Netherlands and supporting other EMEA countries

Location: Belgium

This is an exciting opportunity to join our evolving Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) payroll team. The EMEA team will service various payrolls across over 20 countries and this role will primarily manage the Belgium and Netherlands payrolls in the first instance, with a view to expanding to other payroll geographies as the functions evolves.

The Payroll Specialist will manage and provide full payroll administration support for the payrolls within geographies across EMEA, working with third-party payroll providers to ensure the accurate and timely delivery of monthly payrolls. 

The Payroll Specialist will report into the EMEA Payroll Manager, who is responsible for payrolls across EMEA. There will be close collaboration with multiple stakeholders including Finance and Hr Operations.

As a global sustainability consulting company, ERM has clear growth direction and has been investing heavily in building future skills in the areas such as low carbon economy transition, strategic environmental, social and governance (ESG) and product stewardship amongst other service offerings.

Key Responsibilities

• Working closely with the HR administration team to ensure all payroll changes are captured on the monthly payroll changes spreadsheets and loaded onto the relevant third-party portals prior to the payroll submission deadline.
• Ensure complete accuracy of data inputted onto the third-party portals, including when setting up new employee profiles on the systems.
• Stay one step ahead by being proactive and gathering the necessary information from internal stakeholders in advance of payroll submission, including ensuring all necessary payroll documentation is received on time.
• Working with the HR administration team to ensure all absences are managed correctly and are reflecting accurately on Workday, as this feeds into payroll.
• Work closely with the finance team to ensure correct processing of Profit Sharing, including accurate processing of the Salary and Bonus payments for the salary splitter’s (employees split between Belgium, Netherlands and France).
• Complete in-depth payroll reconciliations for EMEA Payroll Manager review before payroll finalisation. To ensure all payroll changes have been processed accurately by the third-party providers and highlight any discrepancies prior to finalisation. Using manual calculations to support in the checking process.
• Compiling payroll reports and reconciling the data against our HRIS system (Workday) to ensure the data between the two aligns and is consistent. Raise any inconsistencies with the HR administration team.
• Manage and analyse our payroll data to ensure accuracy and provide key information to other teams across the business (i.e. Finance, Rewards Team, Global Mobility etc…).
• Support in on-boarding and off-boarding employees as per legislation requirements.
• Act as a subject matter expert and main point of contact for all payroll queries. Responding to any payroll queries through our Manage Engine (ticketing system), providing responses on a timely basis and ensuring issues are resolved.
• Building strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Working with the third-party payroll providers to identify any issues on both ends and work together to ensure a smooth monthly payroll process.
• Support in the effective implementation of EMEA payroll strategy, operations and projects, working closely with the EMEA Payroll Manager.
• Identify areas for improvement in existing payroll-related processes, tools, reports, taking initiative to propose and drive through changes, with the support of the EMEA Payroll Manager.
• Work with the HR Operations team to develop Workday reports/data feeds to payroll to help streamline payroll processes.
• Work with local benefit providers to streamline payroll information that feed benefit change.

Required Skills/Experience

• Dutch & English - full proficiency level (French is desirable)
• Advanced payroll experience, specifically with Belgium and Netherlands payroll (Other EMEA payrolls are desirable)
• Strong knowledge of payroll regulations and legislation, particularly in Belgium and Netherlands - Maintains an up-to-date knowledge of all payroll legislation
• High level of attention to detail with good analytical and numeracy skills
• High degree of PC literacy with advanced Excel (Pivots and VLookups)
• Experience of working with multiple third-party payroll providers
• Excellent interpersonal skills – treats people with respect; is approachable, detailed and develops effective working relationships with employees at all levels
• Experience of using HRIS software including reporting (preferably Workday but not essential)
• Thorough attention to detail and the ability to spot inconsistencies/mistakes in data
• Flexible approach and the professionalism to handle sensitive and confidential information
• The ability to work collaboratively and independently – being proactive, staying calm under pressure, organised and able meet tight deadlines
• Desire to instigate change and improve, automate and simplify processes
• Previous experience within the Professional Services sector is preferred but not essential

We aim to build an inclusive culture by identifying, acquiring, developing and retaining a highly skilled and high performing workforce which reflects the diverse global marketplace in which we operate, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religious preference, sexual orientation, physical attributes, educational background.

ERM care about our people, their safety and career development as well as their well-beings. We offer all our employees a diverse and inclusive culture in which difference is embraced, valued and celebrated. We offer flexible working environment to accommodate our personal needs including hybrid / home working. Our people are respectful and open-minded and enjoy collaboration with colleagues across services lines and geographies.  

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