Lead the accurate, compliant and timely delivery of payroll services for all SGS Swiss entities. The role owns end-to-end Swiss payroll operations, statutory compliance, payroll governance and controls, service provider relationships, payroll systems, continuous improvement, and payroll analytics and management reporting.
The role encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, including but not limited to the following:
Monthly Payroll Operations
- Process monthly payroll for entities in different cantons and for various categories of employees, including hourly paid employees, freelancers and board members.
- Enter payroll variables, execute payroll runs, validate results and archive payroll data to maintain a complete audit trail.
- Prepare bank transfer orders and DTA payments and confirm receipt and successful execution.
- Ensure the timely distribution of electronic payslips and related payroll documents.
- Coordinate monthly with pension funds, insurance providers, AVS authorities and tax administrations.
- Perform regular payroll checks, including family allowances and health insurance premiums.
Long-Term Incentive Plan
- Participate actively in payroll processing related to the Long-Term Incentive Plan.
- Perform share calculations, liaise with employees regarding sell-to-cover arrangements, update payroll data and prepare tax documentation.
Annual Salary Review
- Perform data reconciliations and validation checks.
- Update data in the payroll system and generate compensation statements.
Finance Coordination and Invoicing
- Coordinate monthly post-payroll activities with Finance and provide required data, including headcount, accounting files and employee costs.
- Reconcile HR-related accounts and provide HR costings, including salary advances and direct reimbursements.
- Contribute to the annual forecast and budget process.
- Handle invoices related to withholding tax and pension fund contributions.
- Plan and raise purchase order requirements for payroll software access, support and technical development.
Vendor and Service Provider Management
- Manage the operational relationship with Fidigit, Abacus and other payroll-related providers, ensuring reliable service delivery and clear accountability.
- Coordinate system upgrades, configuration changes, testing activities and implementation of new functionality. Monitor service performance, follow up on incidents and ensure timely resolution of issues affecting payroll operations.
- Maintain clear documentation of service requests, decisions, changes and issue resolution.
- Collaborate with providers to identify service improvements, strengthen controls and optimize payroll processes.
Payroll Governance and Controls
- Ensure payroll processes comply with Swiss legal requirements, internal policies, delegated authorities and applicable control standards.
- Maintain robust payroll controls and validation procedures to support the accuracy, completeness and integrity of payroll data and payments.
- Ensure appropriate segregation of duties, approvals, documentation, audit trails and record retention across the payroll cycle.
- Identify and assess payroll risks, escalate material issues and implement corrective and preventive actions. Coordinate internal and external payroll audits, provide required evidence and follow through on remediation actions.
- Maintain and regularly update payroll procedures, control documentation and working instructions.
Year-End Payroll Activities
- Complete year-end formalities accurately and within statutory deadlines, including AVS and insurance declarations, salary certificate coordination with tax administrations and the production of share-related forms.
- Perform annual checks, including transportation indemnities and pension fund contributions for freelancers.
- Update payroll software with new insurance rates and pension fund plan changes.
Payroll Analytics and Management Reporting
- Prepare and analyse payroll reports, workforce cost data and payroll metrics to support management decision-making.
- Provide regular payroll dashboards and statistical reporting to HR, Finance and relevant business stakeholders.
- Monitor payroll trends, variances, exceptions and key indicators, investigate anomalies and escalate material issues promptly.
- Support budgeting, forecasting and workforce cost planning with accurate payroll data and analysis.
- Prepare ad hoc payroll analyses, cost simulations and decision-support reporting for HR leadership and Finance.
- Provide data for external and internal surveys, including WTW, Mercer, OFS and Solaris, ensuring accuracy and appropriate approvals.
- Degree in Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, Economics or an equivalent professional qualification.
- Minimum 10 years of payroll experience at a senior specialist or manager level within a multinational environment.
- Expert knowledge of Swiss payroll, social security and payroll-related tax legislation, with strong awareness of cantonal requirements.
- Demonstrated experience with end-to-end payroll processing, statutory reporting, year-end activities, audits and payroll controls.
- Practical experience managing payroll service providers and payroll system partners.
- Strong knowledge of Abacus is essential; experience working with Fidigit is an advantage.
- Advanced Excel and strong reporting and analytical capability.
- Native-level German and very good written and spoken English
Additional Information:
As part of our recruitment process, we kindly request that you submit your CV in English to ensure accurate evaluation