Senior Payroll Specialist

Job description:

As a member of the Payroll team, this role has day-to-day responsibility for payroll, social security and taxes for staff members and pensioners. This role requires working closely with other members of the HR team, liaising with Finance for monthly reconciliations and responding to staff and pensioner queries related to payroll. The role holder will be required to conduct process reviews within payroll, making recommendations for improvement and implementing any agreed changes as well as liaising with stakeholders to assess impact. The role holder will also be part of the implementation team for the new HR system.

About the customer:

Start date: ASAP

Latest start date: September 2025

End date: 31.03.2025

Team: Payroll team

Department: General Secretariat (GSec)

Unit: Human Resources

Requirements:

• Payroll processing - Check payroll-related reports and ensure all changes are accurate and supported by relevant documentation. Verify and clarify salary/pension related changes and resolve any discrepancies. Ensure the timely and accurate transfer of payments into the accounts of beneficiaries. Prepare accounting journals and reconcile monthly and annual balances in cooperation with Finance and the Banking Settlements Centre. Ensure accuracy of salary and pension statements and be the first point of contact for payroll related matters, including liaising with our Banking provider to troubleshoot when issues arise. Social security and taxes - Administer AHV/ALV accounts of Swiss nationals in accordance with statutory requirements. Working with the Payroll Manager, support staff with income tax queries and working with our external consultants, manage the annual support for staff related to Swiss tax return process
• Filing and archiving - Ensure that all payroll-related documentation is correctly filed and archived in accordance with the Bank's document retention policy.
• Process review and design - working with the Payroll Manager and related stakeholders, review and document payroll processes with a best-practice lens and make recommendations for improvements. Responsibility for successfully implementing and communicating any changes to the process that are agreed.
• Provide key expertise and guidance on HR projects and ensure successful implementation of any systems for payroll and C&B. 
• Provide ad hoc support as may be required from time to time within the C&B team, including covering during absence of the Payroll Manager.
• Oversight of PDA, loans, blocked accounts etc in order to manage the funding with our banking provider.

Competences:

• More than five years of relevant work experience in a payroll position demonstrating proficiency in payroll processing, administration, and issue resolution (ability to run a multi-currency payroll).
• Strong understanding of payroll-related tasks such as salary/pension changes and management, reconciliation, reimbursements (in various currencies), and compliance with statutory requirements (e.g., AHV/ALV for Swiss nationals).
• Experienced in the operation of HR-related IT systems and applications (specifically Workday).
• Solid understanding of HR processes and operations, particularly those related to payroll, compensation, and benefits.
• Experience with exception/audit reporting.
• Familiarity with managing social security and taxes, including supporting staff with income tax queries and Swiss tax return processes.
• Good written and oral English skills; German language skills essential 
• Meticulous attention to detail and accuracy, numerate, and able to produce high-quality work, including under pressure.
• Problem solving and analytical skills, well organised / self-management and oversight of others (who contribute to various deadlines).
• Willingness to learn and a keen interest in process design, efficiency, and actively share knowledge with colleagues.
• Strong team player, being flexible in helping colleagues in a small team when needed as well as working across teams, but also comfortable working independently.

Nice to have:

• Experience with the implementation and optimization of payroll systems as part of broader HR projects.
• Experience managing and processing loans and savings accounts for employees and pensioners.
• Experience with PeopleSoft