Payroll Manager

Building a Brand Starts with a Story

FIRST is a leading global brand experience agency providing Content Creative Digital Technology Management & Delivery and Data & Insights services. For 30 years we have utilised three flexible delivery models: Embedded teams Corporate Campus operations and a Full-Service Agency.

Managing over 37000 events & projects annually across 110 countries FIRST serves 130 brands specialising in Fortune 500 companies within the Financial Services Technology Healthcare Media and Professional Services sectors. FIRST is part of the broader Encore family of companies. Encore is a global leader in event production and technology.

Consistently recognised for excellence recent honours include 2026 Chief Marketer Agency of the Year the Ad Net Zero Award for sustainability and more.

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What You Would Get To Do

The Payroll Manager is responsible for the accurate timely and compliant delivery of end-to-end payroll across multiple international jurisdictions. This role partners closely with People Operations Benefits Finance Tax and external vendors to ensure a seamless employee experience.

Beyond day-to-day operations the Payroll Manager will own the relationships with external payroll providers and Employer of Record (EOR) partners maintain robust internal controls and standardise global workflows. As the organisation expands internationally this role will drive continuous process improvements leverage data reporting for business insights and spearhead the successful implementation of payroll operations in new countries.

Your Contributions

Payroll Operations & Vendor Management

• Manage end-to-end payroll operations for employees across various countries in the assigned regions.
• Act as the primary point of contact for external payroll providers and in-country payroll partners.
• Liaise with Employer of Record (EOR) partners regarding employee pay changes and compensation adjustments.
• Review and validate payroll inputs and outputs ensuring data changes compensation updates bonuses and terminations are processed accurately within agreed timelines.
• Monitor vendor performance ensuring adherence to Service Level Agreements (SLAs) high accuracy and timely issue resolution.
• When applicable support onboarding of new countries or payroll providers.

Stakeholder Partnership

• Partner closely with People Operations to ensure accurate timely processing of employee lifecycle events that impact payroll.
• Act as the first point of contact for employees regarding payroll-related queries and issues ensuring timely resolution and a positive employee experience.
• Collaborate with People Operations Benefits and other stakeholders to support the administration and payroll treatment of employee programmes benefits leave arrangements and other employee-related processes as required.

Process Documentation & Continuous Improvement

• Develop maintain and regularly update payroll procedures process documentation standard operating procedures and payroll calendars.
• Identify opportunities to streamline standardise automate and improve payroll processes for the assigned regions.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance payroll accuracy efficiency compliance and employee experience.
• Participate in payroll system enhancements integrations and process improvement projects.

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure compliance with local payroll tax social security pension and statutory regulations across all jurisdictions in the assigned regions.
• Collaborate with local payroll providers to monitor legislative and regulatory changes and implement payroll processes and controls.
• Maintain robust payroll controls governance processes and audit-ready documentation.
• Support internal and external audits and provide payroll leaves and benefits-related reporting and documentation as required.
• Ensure payroll processes and employee data are managed in accordance with applicable data privacy and protection regulations including GDPR and relevant local data protection requirements across all jurisdictions.

What We Are Looking For

• 5-7 years of relevant experience
• Professional knowledge acquired through an undergraduate degree or certified qualifications related to payroll management.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office & G Suite
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent time management skills with proven ability to meet deadlines
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Strong focus on excellent customer service
• Ability to think globally and acknowledge regional and cultural differences with due consideration to reach appropriate outcomes
• Ability to demonstrate influencing skills
• Application of sound judgment and professionalism

At FIRST we believe that the passion creativity and commitment of our teams drive our success. Thats why we offer a range of benefits and perks to support your personal and professional growth

• Private Medical Insurance with BUPA from day one
• 28 Days Annual Leave PLUS Bank Holidays
• Personal Volunteer Day
• 20 Days of Sick Pay each Year
• Enhanced Parental Leave (Maternity & Paternity)
• Wellness Stipend
• Complimentary access to Headspace Rocket Lawyer & Maven
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Season Ticket Loan
• Mobile Phone Allowance
• Pension Scheme Enhancements
• Discretionary Bonus Structure
• Global Opportunities: With a presence in 7 countries worldwide including headquarters in London New York and Singapore you may have the opportunity to work on exciting projects across different locations.

#LI-TS1 #LI-Hybrid

FIRST is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. FIRST is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are based on business needs job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to race color religion or belief national social or ethnic origin sex (including pregnancy) age physical mental or sensory disability sexual orientation gender identity and/or expression marital civil union or domestic partnership status past or present military service family medical history or genetic information family or parental status or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. We stand firm: FIRST will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. If any candidate feels that they are unable to meet the requirements of the role please get in touch to discuss adjustments or other suitable roles.