Global Payroll Operations Lead

We’re a global team of over 400 people, working together to push the boundaries of open-source technology and multi-cloud solutions. Our vision is to help developers, builders, and creators bring their ideas to life with speed and simplicity, by providing a cloud data platform that makes open-source databases, search, streaming, and application infrastructure easily accessible to everyone.

The Role

We are seeking a highly experienced, results-oriented Global Payroll Operations Lead. This is not a role for simply maintaining the status quo—it's a career-defining mandate to build, optimize, and define the future of global payroll operations at a fast-growing international tech company.

As we scale toward our next milestone, our internal "operating system" must be frictionless. You won't just be managing payroll; you'll be engineering a best-in-class global function that supports our talent in 17+ countries, ensuring our journey is built on a foundation of operational excellence and a lasting legacy.

What You'll Do

Payroll Strategy + Velocity

You will be empowered to define the overarching vision and operational roadmap for global payroll. We believe in AI-First Execution—any process that can be automated should be. You will move beyond execution to own the strategy that aligns with our international growth and aggressive business objectives.

• Own Payroll Strategy: Define the vision and roadmap across our global entities, ensuring we are "Super Centaur-ready" in terms of compliance and scalability.

• Manage Regional Operations: Manage timely, accurate, and compliant payroll for our 4 main European entities plus smaller global countries via local vendors.

• System and Process Evolution: Assess current vendor partnerships and workflows to improve, automate, and simplify our approach.

Global Transformation & "Think Sideways" Innovation

At Aiven, we "Think Sideways" to solve complex problems. You will move the needle by conducting an end-to-end review to identify risks and implement globally consistent, yet locally relevant, processes.

• Global Process Optimization: Determine where globally consistent policies are helpful and where local nuances take precedence.

• Accounting Collaboration: Work closely with the accounting team to ensure GL and monthly reporting are accurate, streamlined, and high-signal.

• Automation & Documentation: Create standardized, easy-to-use SOPs and process maps. Recommend and execute improvements to current systems to increase efficiency and automation.

• KPI & Data Evaluation: Actively monitor payroll KPIs measuring accuracy, risk, and data quality. Build mitigation strategies to ensure our operational engine never slows down.

What We're Looking For:

Required Qualifications

• Deep Global Expertise: 8+ years of hands-on experience managing multi-country payroll (e.g., France, Italy, Ireland, Germany, Portugal, UK, Finland).

• Compliance Mastery: Proven expertise in international jurisdictions, including benefits-in-kind and third-party payments.

• Transformation Mindset: Demonstrable success in end-to-end process design and managing system/vendor migrations.

• High-Growth DNA: Experience in a fast-paced tech environment or consultancy focused on global HR/Payroll transformation.

• Project Leadership: Exceptional project management skills to deliver complex projects on time.

• Communication: Fluency in English is essential.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with major global payroll providers (e.g., Papaya Global, CloudPay).

• Experience with HRIS systems that feed payroll (e.g., HiBob).

• A certification in payroll is a plus.

Amazing! What’s next:

If you think Aiven is the place for you and that our Values align with yours, send us your resume and we’ll get in touch!

Global Benefits:

Our global benefits are designed to help you thrive and grow, personally and professionally:

• Participate in Aiven’s equity plan.

• Balance work and life with our hybrid work policy.

• Choose the equipment you need to set yourself up for success.

• Use your Professional Development Plan budget for learning opportunities.

• Receive holistic wellbeing support through our global Employee Assistance Program.

• Inquire about our Global Time Off Commitment (Parental and Sick Leave, as well as Personal Time)

• Enjoy country-specific benefits for our global cast.

How to Recognize and Avoid Employment Scams:

There has been a rise in fake job postings used by scammers to get personal information. At Aiven, all of our emails relating to recruitment come from an @aiven.io, @greenhouse.io or @eu.greenhouse.io domain and all of our interviews are conducted by video call or in person. Our interviews will never occur via text or chat. If you’re unsure of the legitimacy of a job opportunity/offer pertaining to Aiven, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected].

Equal Opportunities:

Aiven provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for employment without regard to age, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, physical and mental ability, marital and family status or without regard to any other similar personal attributes. Aiven complies with applicable local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company operates. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, training and any other terms and conditions related to employment.

At Aiven we are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities or special needs in our working environment and job application procedures. We make all reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities or who otherwise need support to thrive in the workplace. We are committed to continuously improving workplace accessibility. There is an option to request a discussion in the application process but if you have any questions before applying please write to us at [email protected].

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