Payroll Service Controller

Sophos

Managing centralised payroll operations for EMEA at Sophos, a cybersecurity leader. Developing payroll strategy and maintaining compliance for EMEA territory payroll operations.

Posted 5/5/2026full-timeRemote • 🇬🇧 United KingdomMid-LevelSeniorWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Drive the development and execution of country payrolls across the EMEA region accurately and timely
Effectively lead, manage, deploy and utilise the EMEA Payroll team resources to deliver on all EMEA Payroll activities
Drive cost reduction across payroll team and platforms in the region, adopting standardised services where possible to ensure operational effectiveness
Recommend ongoing process improvements to enhance the quality/reduce the cost of Payroll services
Own the outsourcing relationship with Payroll Providers, including contracts, financials and performance management
Responsible for the end-to-end Payroll process, including preparation, processing, post-Payroll and associated tax filing, in coordination with the outsourced payroll solution provider
Ensure compliance and control requirements are met and coordinate and manage the production of all external compliance reporting and deliverables
Ownership of the preparation of required reports and/or payment to government agencies, insurance companies or other organisations
Ensure all ERS/EES Pension contributions are calculated, paid and reported to the relevant investment funds timely and accurately
Support the internal audit and external audit requests as necessary
Support EMEA HR Director and local HRBPs to help resolve Payroll related issues, employee benefits in kind, irregular payments, employee or vendor inquiries
Ensure all employee related matters are appropriately dealt with and/or escalated via HR where relevant
Remain current on all EMEA and local regulations involving Payroll matters and understand payroll related accounting principles
Write and review payroll procedures on an ongoing basis to ensure compliance, standardisation and control
Prepare the timetable, requirements and task lists for the monthly activities for executing each payroll, manage and monitor the activities to ensure a smooth and timely close

Requirements

What you’ll need

Proven experience as Payroll Manager for EMEA territory
Working with external auditors and managing elements of the audit process in accordance with local payroll and SOX compliance
Extensive technical and compliance knowledge with international payroll
Extensive technical and compliance knowledge with payroll accounting
Change management and improving process and controls
Experience as a functional business owner working with payroll systems
Working within a highly sales driven and fast-moving culture
Working with SAP, HRIS, ADP Streamline; local payroll providers
Proven staff management skills and effective team leadership across a remote location
Desirable: Working within a software company, ideally a global organisation
Worked as part of a global Finance organisation supporting global actions and initiatives
Experience of working cross functionally with IT teams on enhancements and implementations
Experience of writing accounting papers to support business decisions and align with the relevant standard

Benefits

Comp & perks

Sophos operates a remote-first working model
Employee-led diversity and inclusion networks that build community and provide education and advocacy
Annual charity and fundraising initiatives and volunteer days for employees to support local communities
Global employee sustainability initiatives to reduce our environmental footprint
Global fitness and trivia competitions to keep our bodies and minds sharp
Global wellbeing days for employees to relax and recharge
Monthly wellbeing webinars and training to support employee health and wellbeing

ATS Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

payroll managementpayroll accountingcompliance reportingprocess improvementchange managementaudit managementfinancial managementreport preparationtax filingpension contributions

Soft Skills

team leadershipstaff managementproblem solvingcommunicationorganizational skillsinterpersonal skillsremote team managementcollaborationadaptabilitystakeholder management