Payroll Manager

About the Role & Team

We are currently on the lookout for a Payroll Manager to join The Walt Disney Company. You'll be a crucial member off the Payroll Team, acting as our Subject Matter Expert across Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA). Reporting into the Payroll Director, you'll be the lead for all phases of assigned projects, from initiation through closure.

This role will require you to be onsite 4 days a week.

What You Will Do

• Ensure timely and accurate payroll processing, statutory reporting, and audit support for UK lines of business

• Manage and develop direct reports to support payroll operations and succession planning

• Adapt departmental plans and priorities to address resource and operational challenges

• Ensure employees receive accurate remuneration on the published pay dates, thereby ensuring that the Company meets its contractual obligations

• Coordinate and carefully maintain relationships with internal Disney partners

• Approve monthly, quarterly, annual and other periodicity reports to the management of the Company, local authorities and other recipients

• Resolve all assigned payroll-related queries from employees and legal entity stakeholders in a professional and timely manner, escalating further as necessary

• Resolve legal entity questions and/or concerns regarding the payroll process

• Lead all aspects of required disbursements to third parties and ensure statutory deadlines are met

• Be responsible for and ensure payroll compliance in accordance with audit controls and procedures

• Troubleshoot SAP technical issues at a high level (e.g., Payroll Control Center, GL posting discrepancies, etc.)

• Propose enhancements as appropriate to address improvement and efficiency opportunities

• Be responsible for Stock Options/RSU and LTIC payments for local and country transfers

• Support defining local technical and functional requirements as the need arises

• Facilitate payroll involvement with global and local initiatives when appropriate

• Provide strategic support for ongoing operations

• Ensure consistency in regulatory compliance and Internal Controls

• Provide advice and direction regarding payroll process, compliance, and standard methodology/processes

• Facilitate teamwork between local payroll teams and other global functional teams to implement new programs/initiatives, resolve issues, share solutions

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Payroll management qualification

• Significant related experience, ideally leading a payroll team for a large multi-national employer

• Solid understanding of UK & EMEA payroll practices, regulations and taxes

• Ability to work independently, act with discretion, and appropriately handle confidential information

• Ability to drive transformational change and lead change management activities

• Proven experience reviewing and developing payroll procedures and policies

• Experience handling expenses, benefits, and perquisites, including their relevant tax treatments

• Demonstrated payroll experience with a retail or entertainment business, is a bonus

• Ability to lead others to successfully accomplish both individual and team objectives

The Perks

• 25 days annual leave

• Private medical insurance & dental care

• Free Park Entry: You will have the opportunity to enter any of our parks with your family and friends for free

• Disney Discounts: you are entitled to discounts on designated Disney products, resort F&B and ticketing

• Excellent parental and guardian leave

• Employee Resource Groups – WOMEN @ Disney, Disney DIVERSITY, Disney PRIDE, ENABLED, and our Mental Health & Wellbeing Group, TRUST.

The Walt Disney Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to be a diverse workforce that is representative of our audiences, and where all can thrive and belong. Disney is committed to forming a team that includes and respects a variety of voices, identities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided the necessary accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive all benefits of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.