JOB SUMMARY
The Senior Manager, Payroll Services & Governance, EMEA, is overall responsible for the payroll processing for select EMEA payroll shared services as well as above property entities in various countries. Core responsibilities include ensuring compliance with regulatory changes and maintaining strong internal controls within payroll systems and processes as well as leading a team of payroll professionals across multiple complex tax jurisdictions. The role serves as the subject matter expert for the assigned payroll locations and involves close collaboration with cross-functional teams to support business objectives and lead special projects related to payroll administration. The Senior Manager functions as the key liaison between Marriott and its external payroll vendor(s) and as such manages the outsourced vendor relationship(s).
***Applicants must have the legal right to work in the country of application at the time of application. Unfortunately, this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship or relocation assistance.
RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Vendor Management: Lead third-party vendors, act as a liaison for any hotel escalations, and manage day to day contact. Monitor service levels and manage the annual payroll calendar. Manage customer satisfaction surveys
2. Payroll Processing: Oversee payroll full cycle processing for related entities and countries.
3. Compliance: Responsible for compliance with statutory, tax, social security and labour law requirements.
4. Business Process: Responsible for consistency between hotels with business process, maintaining relevant documentation.
5. Strategic Planning: In collaboration with Global Payroll governance develop and execute strategic plans for scaling and optimising EMEA payroll administration.
6. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Engage and partner with HR, IT, Accounting, and other teams to ensure alignment with business objectives.
7. Internal Controls: Design and oversee implementation of workflows and standard operating procedures to maintain strong internal controls.
8. Project Management: Lead or support special projects, including system update testing, integrations, upgrades, and implementations. Gather and manage change request requirements.
9. Reporting: Review, analyse, and ensure payroll-related reports and reconciliations are completed accurately and timely.
10. Education: Lead monthly update/education calls with hotels and manage the MGS training page and materials, providing any necessary support and training.
11. Leadership: Lead a team of payroll and Labour Management specialists, the above property smaller markets payroll manager, and support additional payroll teams as required.
12. Financial: Manage payroll shared service hotel billings as well as budgeting, cost optimization, forecasting, and overall P&L performance for own and SSC departments.
CANDIDATE PROFILE - KEY TALENTS ADN EXPERIENCE DESIRED
13. Required Experience: 5-6 years of payroll or accounting and finance administration/management experience, preferably in a hotel, hospitality, or retail environment. Additional experience in Human Resources is an advantage.
14. Team Management: Strong leader of people – ability to create compelling vision, demonstrate flexibility in approach, and motivate others. Recent experience managing teams and third-party outsourced partners.
15. Technical Skills: Strong knowledge of Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office programs; experience with payroll and time & attendance systems.
16. Change management: Able to orchestrate systemic change – initiates, supports and manages change within the organization, taking steps to remove barriers or to accelerate its pace.
17. Analytical Skills: Strong analytical skills with the ability to gather, organize, analyse, and disseminate significant amounts of data with attention to detail and accuracy.
18. Communication Skills: Communicates effectively, both orally and in writing; listens to others and effectively comprehends information; creates an environment allowing timely information flows throughout the organization.
19. Customer Focus: Must be a successful “networker” and able to develop and maintain effective relationships, both internally and externally.
20. Results oriented: deliver results under difficult conditions and demonstrates balanced judgment under pressure. Ability to assess, plan and get “the right priorities” done, on time and budget, at high quality levels; ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
21. Decision Making: Ability to consistently make decisions in a timely manner sometimes with incomplete information and under tight deadlines and pressure; comfortable challenging organizational norms and accepted thinking to improve effectiveness
22. Education: Full/part-qualified accounting qualification or Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
STAKEHOLDERS
23. Hotel HR and Finance Community
24. Payroll Providers (including Strada and others)
25. Owners Representatives
26. Internal Controls and Auditors (internal/external)
27. Third-party providers/suppliers (Pension, tax and social security authorities, other benefits)
28. Continent Finance, Human Resources and Compensation & Benefits team
29. Area HR and Finance teams
30. Corporate and Continent IT and HR Technology/Systems teams
OTHER
31. Performs other duties as assigned by the Director, Payroll to meet business needs.
Marriott International has been recognized as one of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For in Europe 2025 by Great Place to Work. This a reflection of our people-first culture, commitment to wellbeing, and collaborative workplace. This accolade joins a growing list of regional honors, reinforcing our dedication to creating an exceptional environment where associates thrive.
Marriott International is an equal opportunity employer. We believe in hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive, people-first culture. We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, such as disability and veteran status, or any other basis covered under applicable law.