Payroll Director EMEA

As Payroll Director EMEA, you will be responsible for the future strategic direction and operational delivery of payroll within the European Mars Global Service Finance (MGSF) organization and supports the development of a world-class Service & Finance function through attracting, retaining, engaging and motivating high caliber associates. You will support the processing and reporting of all associate payroll and payroll tax-related payments for regular pay, bonuses, and retiree payments within scope of the MGSF EU Payroll team. You will also improve and oversee the effectiveness of internal controls for all Payroll transactions and ensure that the appropriate payroll processing and accounting procedures are followed. 

What will be your key responsibilities?

Line Management:

• Recruit, manage and develop a strong team of payroll professionals and contractors. Maximize performance through a team of highly engaged MGSF associates resulting in a high performance team atmosphere.
• Lead the Payroll team, including training, distribution of workload, coaching and organizational structure to ensure development of associates, and achievement of business objectives.
• Set clear individual objectives and priorities consistent with MGSF financial priorities. Deliver team objectives and business objectives through corrective actions, if necessary.

Strategic Direction of the Payroll team:

• Take an active role as a business leader within the Payroll team and support overall business objectives.
• Ensure an adequate internal control environment as well as make recommendations regarding improvements of internal controls.
• Be a representative of Payroll to internal and external stakeholders and vendors.
• Sponsor mindset of continuous improvement of effective business processes.
• Keep current on the Payroll industry and benchmarking.
• Oversee project activities related to MGSF Payroll activities to ensure proper execution and accurate payroll.

Manage Payroll Processes:

• Organize work activities and resources for team members in order to comply with necessary financial activities related to payroll payment processes.
• Contribute to deliver a secure controlled finance environment.
• Facilitate communications across departments/units to build strong collaborative relationships and ensure MGSF service levels and metrics are met and exceeded.
• Manage metrics, and continuous improvement review
• Projects – Become involved in special projects and analyses as required or requested by Senior Management.

MGSF Operations:

• Accuracy of Payroll – Lead operational activities of the MGSF EU Payroll team including balancing workload amongst the team to ensure efficiency multi-level backup, and knowledge transfer.
• Promote a team of string customer focus.
• Initiate and manage smooth transitioning of tasks and processes reconciliations from the business units into MGSF (Take-On Management).
• Create and develop effective/mutual co-piloting relationship with supported Mars business units (internal customers).
• Process Improvements -- Make recommendations on continuous improvement of established processes and procedures and design new processes to ensure that internal control requirements are met for Payroll. Ensure compliance to current Process and Control Standards (PACS)
• Business Improvement – Recommend and drive changes or improvements to business practices as they relate to technical payroll processes to ensure the overall efficiency of the department.
• Audit Process – Ensure adequate processes and procedures within the Payroll team to maintain a seamless interim and year-end audit. Coordinate and support external and internal audit engagements as it relates to functional area.
• Manage the 3rd party vendor relationship. Ensure compliances to SLAs and Mars policies. Work with vendor on troubleshooting of general and specific payroll issues.
• Represent MGSF at trade conferences to benchmark performance and identify areas of opportunity.

Service Levels & Metrics:

• Responsible for meeting and exceeding Service Level Agreements, payroll metrics and customer expectations.
• Manage and communicate the reporting needs of the European units to assist in the support of business decisions. Ensure reporting represents the Payroll Team Strategy of “Customer Value”.

What are we looking for?

• Bachelor’s Degree in Management, Accounting, or Finance
• At least 5-7 years of experience in Payroll, Management, Audit, or Finance
• Line management experience highly desirable (recruiting, developing and engaging Payroll professionals and operations associates)
• Internal Controls
• Process Management Experience

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with over 140,000 diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
• Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.

Mars is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.