Global Payroll Transformation Leader

pstrongLocation: /strongZurich, Zurich, CHbrAre you a seasoned payroll leader ready to make a global impact? At Swiss Re, we are looking for a bold, forward-thinking professional to lead our Global Payroll function - driving excellence, transformation, and innovation across a complex, multi-country environment. If you thrive at the intersection of people, technology, and compliance, this is your opportunity to shape the future of payroll at one of the world's leading reinsurance companies.brstrongAbout the Role /strongbrAs strongGlobal Head of Payroll /strong, you will be at the helm of Swiss Re's end-to-end global payroll operations, accountable for delivering accurate, compliant, and timely payroll across multiple countries and regions. This is a high-impact leadership role where you will drive payroll transformation - leveraging automation, AI, and technology - while maintaining the strongest standards of governance, controls, and employee experience.brstrongKey Responsibilities /strongbrullistrongLead and develop a high-performing global payroll team, /strongsetting clear expectations, building capability through coaching and feedback in order to effectively deliver end-to-end payroll operations across multiple countries and regions - including complex scenarios such as international assignments, expatriate payroll, and cross-border payments /lilistrongDrive payroll transformation and innovation, /strongincluding process standardisation, system enhancements and integrations, and automation/AI initiatives to continuously improve efficiency, accuracy, and the overall employee payroll experience /lilistrongOwn the payroll governance, controls and compliance framework, /strongensuring audit readiness, data security, and adherence to regulatory requirements across all jurisdictions, in close partnership with Finance, Risk, and Audit /lilistrongManage vendor relationships and performance, /strongleading strategy, procurement, and contract negotiations for payroll outsourcing services, and overseeing contractual outcomes with the global payroll provider, including assurance reviews (SOC 1/SOC 2) and IT security alignment /lilistrongOversee financial management and year-end activities, /strongincluding budget forecasting, cost transparency, tax reporting, annual statements, and statutory filings across all jurisdictions /lilistrongEnsure robust payroll systems and data integrity, /strongworking closely with HR and Finance to accurately reflect payroll requirements in systems architecture, including upstream/downstream interfaces and data quality controls /lilistrongLeverage analytics and market insights /strongto provide reporting on payroll costs, trends, service performance, and risks, while staying current on emerging best practices, regulatory developments, and technology innovations in global payroll /li /ulbrstrongAbout the Team /strongbrThe Global Payroll team at Swiss Re plays a key role in delivering accurate, timely, and compliant payroll services for employees around the world. Operating in a highly collaborative and international environment, the team partners closely with HR, Finance, and external providers to manage end-to-end payroll operations, statutory reporting, and governance across multiple countries. Driven by a mission to ensure a seamless payroll experience, the team upholds the highest compliance standards while continuously enhancing global payroll processes through automation, standardisation, and innovation.brstrongAbout You /strongbrYou are a seasoned executive and inspiring payroll leader who brings deep technical mastery combined with a bold strategic vision. You have built your career leading large-scale, complex, multi-country payroll functions and have a proven track record of driving transformation at an enterprise level. You operate with confidence at the C-suite level, influencing senior stakeholders and shaping organisational strategy. You are deeply committed to operational excellence, continuous improvement, and delivering an exceptional employee experience.brstrongWe are looking for candidates who meet these requirements: /strongbrullistrongExtensive senior leadership experience in global payroll /strong, with a demonstrable track record of operating at or near executive/C-band level, leading large, geographically dispersed payroll teams across multiple regions /lilistrongDeep expertise in multi-country payroll regulations, /strongtax, social security and controls, with the ability to navigate highly complex compliance scenarios across jurisdictions at a strategic level /lilistrongProven experience owning and transforming multi-country payroll operations /strong(in-house and/or outsourced), including full accountability for service delivery, vendor governance, and strategic roadmap execution /lilistrongExperience working with global payroll providers /strongat a senior governance level, including strategic vendor management, service performance oversight, and executive-level issue escalation /lilistrongStrong executive stakeholder management and communication skills, /strong with a proven ability to influence and collaborate at C-suite and board level across HR, Finance, Risk, IT, and external partners /lilistrongGood understanding of the payroll IT landscape and data flows /strong (HR/finance/time/benefits), with hands-on payroll systems experience including processing, reconciliations, and exception handling /lilistrongStrong analytical and problem-solving skills /strong, including the ability to diagnose root causes, manage risk, and drive sustainable corrective actions with a high attention to detail /lilistrongStrong understanding of data protection /strong and strongconfidentiality /strong requirements when handling employee and payroll information /lilistrongAdaptable, continuous learning mindset /strong to stay current on regulatory changes, technology enablement, and best practices in global payroll /li /ulbrstrongThese are additional nice to haves: /strongbrulliAdditional languages (beyond English) relevant to key payroll locations /liliPrior experience working for a payroll provider and/or in a payroll BPO environment /li /ulbrFor Switzerland, the annual base salary range for this position is between 164,000 CHF and 246,000 CHF for a full-time role. The specific salary offered considers:br- the requirements, scope, complexity and responsibilities of the role,br- the applicant's own profile including education/qualifications, expertise, specialisation, skills and experience.brIn addition to your base salary, Swiss Re offers an attractive performance-based variable compensation component, designed to recognise your achievements.brFurther you will enjoy a variety of global and location specific benefits. Eligibility may vary depending on the terms of Swiss Re policies and your employment contract.br#LI-HybridbrstrongAbout Swiss Re /strongbrSwiss Re is one of the world's leading providers of reinsurance, insurance and other forms of insurance-based risk transfer, working to make the world more resilient. We anticipate and manage a wide variety of risks, from natural catastrophes and climate change to cybercrime. Combining experience with creative thinking and cutting-edge expertise, we create new opportunities and solutions for our clients. This is possible thanks to the collaboration of more than 15,000 employees across the world.brOur success depends on our ability to build an inclusive culture encouraging fresh perspectives and innovative thinking. We embrace a workplace where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive and develop professionally regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, skillset, thought or other characteristics. In our inclusive and flexible environment everyone can bring their authentic selves to work and their passion for sustainability.brIf you are an experienced professional returning to the workforce after a career break, we encourage you to apply for open positions that match your skills and experience.brSwiss Re is an equal opportunity employer. It is our practice to recruit, hire and promote without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, pregnancy, sexual orientations, marital status, military status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Decisions on employment are solely based on an individual's qualifications for the position being filled.brDuring the recruitment process, reasonable accommodations for disabilities are available upon request. If contacted for an interview, please inform the Recruiter/HR Professional of the accommodation needed.brWe may use AI-powered tools to support the review and evaluation of applications for this position. These tools provide additional insights to our recruitment teams, but all hiring decisions are carefully reviewed and made by people. To learn more about how we use AI in recruitment and how we handle your personal data, please review our Data Privacy Statement before applying.brstrongKeywords: /strongbrstrongReference Code: /strong brOpen ZRH- -P3_Job_Advertisement_Benefits_Switzerland_970x485 in overlaybrbMake an impact /bbrStart your career journey with Swiss Re. /p #J-18808-Ljbffr