Senior Payroll & Compensation Specialist

Job Description

We are looking for a Senior Payroll & Compensation Specialist to own and manage our end-to-end payroll operations while contributing to the development of a robust compensation & benefits. This role combines operational excellence in payroll with a strategic mindset to improve processes and drive automation.

Key Responsibilities:

Payroll Management

• Manage the full monthly payroll cycle, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timeliness.
• Process payroll inputs, including variable elements, absences, and employee changes.
• Perform payroll controls and reconciliations.
• Handle payroll-related accounting entries, including monthly and annual closings in collaboration with finance.
• Ensure compliance with local labor laws, tax regulations, and social security requirements.
• Act as the main point of contact for payroll-related queries.
• Ensure supervision and validation of payroll processes with the abroad entities in collaboration with local HR partners and payroll providers.
• Ensure proper documentation and audit trail for all payroll activities.

Process Improvement & Automation

• Identify opportunities to improve payroll and HR processes.
• Drive automation initiatives to increase efficiency and reduce manual work.
• Document and standardize payroll and compensation processes.
• Collaborate with HRIS teams to optimize systems and workflows.

Compensation & Benefits

• Manage and calculate ad hoc compensation elements (bonuses, incentives, equity/participation plans, etc.).
• Contribute to salary benchmarking and market analysis.
• Help design and maintain salary grids and compensation structures.
• Partner with Talent Management on compensation reviews and cycles.

Budget & Reporting

• Monitor payroll and compensation budgets in collaboration with Finance.
• Prepare regular reports and dashboards (headcount, payroll costs, compensation analysis).
• Provide insights and recommendations to support decision-making.

Qualifications

Experience & Skills

• 5+ years of experience in payroll, ideally in an international or fast-paced environment.
• Strong knowledge of payroll processes, accounting principles, and compliance.
• Strong knowledge of Swiss payroll and Swiss labor laws & regulations.
• Experience with payroll systems and HRIS.
• Solid analytical skills with strong attention to detail.
• Exposure to Compensation & Benefits topics (benchmarking, salary structures, bonus schemes) is a strong plus.

Soft Skills

• High level of accuracy and reliability.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with HR, Finance, and external providers.
• Proactive mindset with a continuous improvement approach.
• Strong communication skills and ability to explain complex topics clearly.

Additional Information

SQ2