Senior Payroll Manager, EMEA

About the role
Morningstar is looking for a Senior Payroll Manager, EMEA to join our EMEA Finance team, which is dedicated to business partnership, innovation, automation, and process improvement.
As the Senior Payroll Manager, EMEA, you will be responsible for the development and execution of Morningstar's EMEA payroll vision and strategy, while ensuring operational excellence within the team and daily processes.
You will build and maintain the proper service levels and governance structures between the payroll function and other key stakeholder groups such as People & Culture (P&C), Legal, Tax, FP&A, and Accounting. This role will provide value to the business by supporting and executing key process optimization opportunities and larger-scale transformational programs.
This full-time position reports to Morningstar's International Controller and is based in our London office. We operate in a hybrid environment, with in-office presence expected four days per week.
Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the leader for payroll operations and strategic initiatives for the EMEA region, covering 18 markets (including UK, Netherlands, Romania, Spain and Germany as key locations)

• Lead and manage a cross-regional EMEA Payroll Team, including management of key vendor relationships across the region.

• Optimize the organizational structure of the EMEA payroll team to support the current and future needs of the business, ensuring training, mentoring, and career development.

• Evolve the existing payroll strategy and manage the transformational roadmap considering governance, policies, procedures, technologies, and change management requirements.

• Oversee end-to-end EMEA payroll operations, ensuring accurate and timely processing, whilst establishing an effective working relationship with our HR (P&C) Operations team

• Establish and monitor SLAs and performance metrics with vendors, regional controllers, People & Culture, and shared service teams.

• Ensure appropriate internal controls for a publicly traded company.

• Stay current with payroll industry best practices to inform strategic direction and enhancements.

• Collaborate with upstream and downstream functions on transformation initiatives to improve effectiveness and efficiency.

• Provide strategic guidance to senior leadership on payroll-related matters.

• Apply strong business acumen and financial judgment to prioritize payroll projects and improvements.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and a payroll qualification preferred (e.g. Certified Payroll Accountant or equivalent).

• Minimum of 10+ years of progressive payroll experience in a multinational organization.

• Proven leadership in payroll operations and implementation.

• Experience setting up or managing an EMEA payroll aggregator and shared service function

• Strong functional knowledge of end-to-end EMEA payroll processes.

• Expert knowledge of EMEA payroll required.

• Advanced knowledge of Workday (HRIS), UKG, or similar platforms is an asset.

• Ability to manage the complexities of an EMEA payroll function and influence across teams.

• Strong leadership and people management skills.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, customer-centric environment.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to convey complex information clearly.

• Skilled in gathering business requirements, evaluating design options, coordinating testing, and driving implementation.

• Experience integrating payroll processes post-acquisition is an asset.
• Specific experience managing payroll operations for the UK, Netherlands, Romania, Spain and Germany would be a significant advantage.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word).

Morningstar's hybrid work environment gives you the opportunity to collaborate in-person each week as we've found that we're at our best when we're purposely together on a regular basis. In most of our locations, our hybrid work model is four days in-office each week. A range of other benefits are also available to enhance flexibility as needs change. No matter where you are, you'll have tools and resources to engage meaningfully with your global colleagues.
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