Payroll Lead

Prague - Czech Republic

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: Yesterday

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Job Description

The Payroll Lead is responsible for overseeing and managing payroll operations across multiple markets or regions ensuring accuracy compliance and operational excellence. This leadership role involves managing a diverse payroll team collaborating with internal and external stakeholders (HR Finance IT Treasury external vendors) and driving continuous improvement in payroll processes mainly in the EEMEA Region. The Payroll Lead plays a strategic role in defining payroll policies and ensuring compliance with local regional and international laws.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Operations Management

Lead and manage end-to-end payroll processes including data input review calculations payments and compliance
Ensure accurate payroll for all employees covering salary benefits tax deductions social insurance and other payroll-related items
Execute accurate and timely monthly quarterly and year-end closes including account reconciliation of payroll-related balances
Respond to internal and external inquiries regarding payroll social insurance taxation and related matters

Team Leadership and Development

Lead manage and motivate a diverse payroll team across multiple markets or regions
Set clear performance expectations provide coaching mentoring and conduct evaluations
Foster a collaborative and inclusive team environment focused on high performance and continuous development
Address performance issues constructively and promptly

Compliance and Regulation

Stay up-to-date with local state regional and international payroll laws and regulations
Ensure payroll processes comply with tax withholding wage and hour regulations social insurance and reporting obligations
Contribute to the design and implementation of payroll policies procedures and internal controls
Oversee preparation of all external and internal audit deliverables related to payroll

Systems and Technology

Oversee payroll systems such as ADP Workday SAP ensuring data integrity and system updates
Collaborate with IT and external vendors to enhance system capabilities and explore automation opportunities
Document payroll systems and optimize processes to drive continuous improvement

Vendor and Supplier Management

Manage relationships with external payroll vendors and suppliers
Define and monitor service level agreements (SLAs) ensure vendor performance and resolve payroll processing issues

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Work closely with HR Finance Treasury Centers of Excellence and other business partners to ensure seamless payroll service delivery
Act as liaison between payroll teams HR service delivery teams and external HR service centers for change control processes
Partner with HR teams to align payroll priorities with broader HR services

Process Improvement and Reporting

Lead process improvement initiatives to standardize payroll processes reduce complexity and leverage best practices
Prepare and distribute payroll reports including earnings tax regulatory reporting and department efficiency metrics
Develop and manage payroll dashboards to monitor performance and service quality
Act as the primary escalation point for payroll service issues

Qualifications and Experience

Education

Bachelors degree in Human Resources Finance Accounting Business or a related field
Relevant payroll qualifications or equivalent experience may be considered

Experience

5-8 years of payroll administration experience in a multinational or complex regional environment
Proven experience managing payroll for multiple entities and regions
Demonstrated leadership and team management experience including coaching and performance management
Experience with SLA and customer management is advantageous

Skills and Competencies

Strong knowledge of payroll systems (e.g. ADP Workday SAP) and Microsoft Office tools especially Excel and PowerPoint
Deep understanding of payroll laws regulations and compliance requirements across multiple jurisdictions
Excellent leadership communication problem-solving and stakeholder management skills
Project management expertise with the ability to lead cross-functional initiatives
Ability to collaborate effectively with global business and support teams
Strong analytical organizational and planning abilities
Proven confidentiality personal integrity and cultural awareness
Fluent in English (written and spoken); additional regional or European languages are advantageous
Flexibility to work in international teams and adapt to diverse cultural environments

Required Skills:

Analytical Thinking Analytical Thinking Coaching Communication Confidentiality Cultural Awareness Global Payroll HR Payroll Leadership Microsoft Excel Microsoft PowerPoint Payroll Payroll Administration Payroll Compliance Payroll Laws Payroll Management Payroll Processing Payroll Systems People Management Performance Management (PM) Personal Leadership Planning Practical Leadership Stakeholder Management Supervision 3 more

Preferred Skills:

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Merck & Co. Inc. Rahway NJ USA also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC Rahway NJ USA does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place introductions are position specific. Please no phone calls or emails.

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

Yes

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

03/29/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFOREthe listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

Job DescriptionThe Payroll Lead is responsible for overseeing and managing payroll operations across multiple markets or regions ensuring accuracy compliance and operational excellence. This leadership role involves managing a diverse payroll team collaborating with internal and external stakeholder...