Payroll Compliance Senior Lead Analyst

Payroll Compliance Senior Lead Analyst 

 

At Pearson, we’re committed to a world that’s always learning and to our talented team that makes it all possible. From bringing lectures vividly to life to turning textbooks into laptop lessons, we are always reexamining the way people learn best, whether it’s one child in our backyard or an education community across the globe. We are bold thinkers and standout innovators who motivate each other to explore new frontiers in an environment that supports and inspires us to always be better. By pushing the boundaries of technology—and each other to surpass these boundaries—we create seeds of learning that become the catalyst for the world’s innovations, personal and global, large and small. 

 

About the role

The Payroll Compliance Senior Lead Analyst is a key leader within the Global Payroll Governance and Compliance Team, playing a critical role in overseeing and driving strategic payroll compliance initiatives across multiple regions. Reporting directly to the Manager of Payroll Governance, this senior-level individual contributor will serve as the domain expert, providing expert guidance and leadership to HR Operations - Payroll and cross-functional teams. The Senior Lead Analyst will take ownership of complex compliance issues, lead the development and execution of remediation strategies, and ensure adherence to global regulatory requirements. With a strong focus on optimizing processes, managing risks, and ensuring SOX compliance, this role requires advanced technical expertise, strategic thinking, and the ability to influence and collaborate with stakeholders at all levels to deliver data-driven insights and ensure continuous payroll compliance excellence across the organization. 

 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Provide expert-level guidance on global tax laws and regulatory changes, ensuring compliance with payroll requirements across multiple jurisdictions.
• Lead the design, implementation, and optimization of internal controls and segregation of duties (SoD) for global payroll operations to ensure robust compliance and mitigate risks.
• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate payroll compliance risks on a global scale, driving corrective actions with regional and functional teams.
• Act as the primary subject matter expert and advisor on payroll compliance for global leadership teams, HR, Finance, Tax, and local/regional payroll stakeholders.
• Lead the development and execution of global remediation plans to address complex payroll compliance issues, ensuring timely resolution across multiple regions.
• Oversee SOX compliance for global payroll processes and lead the coordination of internal/external audits, providing strategic insights and ensuring audit readiness.
• Lead the development and implementation of advanced strategies to manage complex payroll-related tax, accounting, and reporting risks in alignment with global business goals and local compliance requirements.
• Design and deliver advanced payroll compliance training programs for global teams, ensuring expertise is shared and key compliance issues are communicated across regions.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives for global payroll processes, systems, and controls, driving efficiency, accuracy, and compliance across the organization.
• Direct the creation and oversight of global payroll compliance reports, dashboards, and documentation, ensuring they meet audit, regulatory, and strategic business needs across all regions.

To be successful in this role, you will ideally have: 

• Bachelor’s Degree holder with solid experience in Payroll Compliance and/or HR, with at least 3 years in a leadership or managerial role.
• In-depth knowledge of SOX compliance and hands-on experience leading SOX audits related to HR or Payroll processes.
• Expertise in the creation and management of Standard Audit Operating Procedures (SAOPs) and Standard Audit Operating Tools (SAOTs).
• Payroll, Compliance, or Audit certifications (e.g., FPC, CPP, CIPP, CIA, CISA) are preferred but not required.
• Experience working with multiple payroll systems (e.g., SAP, Workday) is a plus.
• Familiarity with Accounting or Tax concepts.

Work Setup 

• Remote / Flexible working.
• Shift schedule may vary depending on region/country being supported.
• Equipment provided (e.g., Laptop).
• Location: Warsaw, Poland (can be fully remote).

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