Payroll Managernew

Job Description

Lead the accurate, compliant and timely delivery of payroll services for all SGS Swiss entities. The role owns end-to-end Swiss payroll operations, statutory compliance, payroll governance and controls, service provider relationships, payroll systems, continuous improvement, and payroll analytics and management reporting.

The role encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, including but not limited to the following:

Monthly Payroll Operations

• Process monthly payroll for entities in different cantons and for various categories of employees, including hourly paid employees, freelancers and board members.
• Enter payroll variables, execute payroll runs, validate results and archive payroll data to maintain a complete audit trail.
• Prepare bank transfer orders and DTA payments and confirm receipt and successful execution.
• Ensure the timely distribution of electronic payslips and related payroll documents.
• Coordinate monthly with pension funds, insurance providers, AVS authorities and tax administrations.
• Perform regular payroll checks, including family allowances and health insurance premiums.

Long-Term Incentive Plan 

• Participate actively in payroll processing related to the Long-Term Incentive Plan. 
• Perform share calculations, liaise with employees regarding sell-to-cover arrangements, update payroll data and prepare tax documentation.

Annual Salary Review 

• Perform data reconciliations and validation checks. 
• Update data in the payroll system and generate compensation statements.

Finance Coordination and Invoicing 

• Coordinate monthly post-payroll activities with Finance and provide required data, including headcount, accounting files and employee costs. 
• Reconcile HR-related accounts and provide HR costings, including salary advances and direct reimbursements. 
• Contribute to the annual forecast and budget process. 
• Handle invoices related to withholding tax and pension fund contributions. 
• Plan and raise purchase order requirements for payroll software access, support and technical development.

Vendor and Service Provider Management 

• Manage the operational relationship with Fidigit, Abacus and other payroll-related providers, ensuring reliable service delivery and clear accountability. 
• Coordinate system upgrades, configuration changes, testing activities and implementation of new functionality. Monitor service performance, follow up on incidents and ensure timely resolution of issues affecting payroll operations. 
• Maintain clear documentation of service requests, decisions, changes and issue resolution. 
• Collaborate with providers to identify service improvements, strengthen controls and optimize payroll processes.

Payroll Governance and Controls 

• Ensure payroll processes comply with Swiss legal requirements, internal policies, delegated authorities and applicable control standards. 
• Maintain robust payroll controls and validation procedures to support the accuracy, completeness and integrity of payroll data and payments. 
• Ensure appropriate segregation of duties, approvals, documentation, audit trails and record retention across the payroll cycle. 
• Identify and assess payroll risks, escalate material issues and implement corrective and preventive actions.  Coordinate internal and external payroll audits, provide required evidence and follow through on remediation actions. 
• Maintain and regularly update payroll procedures, control documentation and working instructions.

Year-End Payroll Activities 

• Complete year-end formalities accurately and within statutory deadlines, including AVS and insurance declarations, salary certificate coordination with tax administrations and the production of share-related forms.
• Perform annual checks, including transportation indemnities and pension fund contributions for freelancers. 
• Update payroll software with new insurance rates and pension fund plan changes.

Payroll Analytics and Management Reporting 

• Prepare and analyse payroll reports, workforce cost data and payroll metrics to support management decision-making. 
• Provide regular payroll dashboards and statistical reporting to HR, Finance and relevant business stakeholders. 
• Monitor payroll trends, variances, exceptions and key indicators, investigate anomalies and escalate material issues promptly. 
• Support budgeting, forecasting and workforce cost planning with accurate payroll data and analysis. 
• Prepare ad hoc payroll analyses, cost simulations and decision-support reporting for HR leadership and Finance. 
• Provide data for external and internal surveys, including WTW, Mercer, OFS and Solaris, ensuring accuracy and appropriate approvals. 

Qualifications

• Degree in Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, Economics or an equivalent professional qualification. 
• Minimum 10 years of payroll experience at a senior specialist or manager level within a multinational environment. 
• Expert knowledge of Swiss payroll, social security and payroll-related tax legislation, with strong awareness of cantonal requirements. 
• Demonstrated experience with end-to-end payroll processing, statutory reporting, year-end activities, audits and payroll controls. 
• Practical experience managing payroll service providers and payroll system partners. 
• Strong knowledge of Abacus is essential; experience working with Fidigit is an advantage. 
• Advanced Excel and strong reporting and analytical capability. 
• Native-level German and very good written and spoken English

Additional Information

Additional Information:

As part of our recruitment process, we kindly request that you submit your CV in English to ensure accurate evaluation