Team Lead - BAU EU

**Job Summary**

The Team Lead BAU is responsible for leading payroll operations, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing for clients. The role oversees payroll specialists, drives operational excellence, process improvement, automation, and client satisfaction while collaborating with internal stakeholders to deliver high-quality payroll services.

### Key Responsibilities

**Payroll Operations**

* Lead and supervise payroll specialists across multiple regions.
* Oversee end-to-end payroll processing, validation, reconciliation, reporting, and payroll accuracy.
* Ensure compliance with local labor laws, tax regulations, and statutory requirements.
* Coordinate payroll inputs with HR, Finance, and other stakeholders.
* Meet payroll deadlines and SLA commitments.
* Resolve payroll discrepancies, perform root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions.
* Prepare payroll reports, audit documentation, and compliance filings.
* Monitor regulatory changes and ensure timely implementation.

**Team Leadership**

* Coach, mentor, and develop payroll specialists.
* Conduct performance reviews and identify training needs.
* Promote knowledge sharing, cross-training, and succession planning.
* Balance workloads and foster a collaborative, high-performance culture.
* Support employee engagement, retention, and career development.

**Process Improvement & Automation**

* Identify opportunities to improve payroll efficiency through automation and standardization.
* Collaborate with IT and management on AI, RPA, and digital payroll initiatives.
* Develop and maintain payroll SOPs and documentation.
* Support implementation of payroll technologies and system integrations.
* Use payroll analytics to improve productivity and operational performance.

**Compliance & Data Governance**

* Ensure payroll compliance with applicable labor, tax, and statutory regulations.
* Conduct payroll audits and maintain audit-ready documentation.
* Protect confidential payroll information and strengthen payroll controls.
* Work with Legal and Compliance teams to address regulatory requirements and risks.

**Client & Stakeholder Management**

* Serve as the primary contact for payroll-related queries.
* Resolve client escalations promptly while maintaining high service standards.
* Support client onboarding, governance meetings, SLA reviews, and continuous service improvement.
* Collaborate with HR, Finance, IT, and Compliance to optimize payroll operations.

**Performance Management**

* Monitor payroll KPIs including accuracy, SLA performance, compliance, and processing time.
* Prepare management reports with operational insights and recommendations.
* Implement continuous improvement initiatives aligned with business objectives.

### Skills & Qualifications

* Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, HR, or related field (Master's preferred).
* Minimum 7 years of global payroll outsourcing experience, including at least 2 years in a leadership role.
* Experience managing multi-country payroll operations.
* Strong knowledge of payroll compliance, labor regulations, tax requirements, and risk management.
* Experience with payroll systems, ERP, HCM, SaaS platforms, FinTech integrations, and Microsoft Office/Google Workspace.
* Excellent leadership, analytical, communication, problem-solving, organizational, and time management skills.
* High attention to detail with strong commitment to confidentiality and customer service.

### Key Performance Goals

* Achieve **98% payroll accuracy** within 6 months.
* Reduce payroll processing time by **15%** within 6 months.
* Maintain **100% payroll compliance** through audits and training.
* Reduce team attrition to **below 15%** within 12 months.
* Train **100%** of payroll staff on compliance and automation tools.
* Automate key payroll processes within 12 months.
* Reduce payroll issue resolution time by **25%**.
* Improve team productivity by **20%** through workload optimization.
* Reduce payroll-related escalations by **30%** through improved cross-functional collaboration.
* Achieve **95%+ client satisfaction** through proactive service improvements.