EMEA Centralised Payroll Service Controller

About Us Sophos is a cybersecurity leader defending 600,000 organizations globally with an AI-driven platform and expert-led services. Sophos meets organizations wherever they are in their security maturity and grows with them to defeat cyberattacks. Its solutions combine machine learning, automation, and real-time threat intelligence with frontline human expertise from Sophos X-Ops to deliver advanced, 24/7 threat monitoring, detection, and response. Sophos offers industry-leading managed detection and response (MDR) alongside a comprehensive portfolio of cybersecurity technologies — including endpoint, network, email, and cloud security, extended detection and response (XDR), identity threat detection and response (ITDR), and next-gen SIEM. Together with expert advisory services, these capabilities help organizations proactively reduce risk and respond faster, with the visibility and scalability needed to stay ahead of evolving threats. Sophos goes to market with a global partner ecosystem, including Managed Service Providers (MSPs), Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs), resellers and distributors, marketplace integrations, and cyber risk partners, giving organizations the flexibility to choose trusted relationships when securing their business. Sophos is headquartered in Oxford, U.K. More information is available at www.sophos.com . Role Summary As part of the EMEA Finance function, the EMEA Centralised Payroll Service Controller will report to the EMEA Regional Controller and will take responsibility for managing a centralised payroll function for EMEA region. The role will be responsible for developing and driving the payroll strategy, process standardisation, delivering on service level agreements and maintaining compliance and control for EMEA territory payroll operations and benefits reporting. This includes management and control of all elements of the end-to-end process for payroll and managing the outsourcing relationship with Payroll providers. In addition, you will be expected to develop strong working relationships with key internal stakeholders – namely EMEA HR Director, Regional Financial Controllers, the business and other back-office departments. What You Will Do Drive the development and execution of country payrolls across the EMEA region accurately and timely Effectively lead, manage, deploy and utilise the EMEA Payroll team resources to deliver on all EMEA Payroll activities Drive cost reduction across payroll team and platforms in the region, adopting standardised services where possible to ensure operational effectiveness Recommend ongoing process improvements to enhance the quality/reduce the cost of Payroll services Own the outsourcing relationship with Payroll Providers, including contracts, financials and performance management Responsible for the end-to-end Payroll process, including preparation, processing, post-Payroll and associated tax filing, in coordination with the outsourced payroll solution provider Ensure compliance and control requirements are met and coordinate and manage the production of all external compliance reporting and deliverables Ownership of the preparation of required reports and/or payment to government agencies, insurance companies or other organisations Ensure all ERS/EES Pension contributions are calculated, paid and reported to the relevant investment funds timely and accurately Support the internal audit and external audit requests as necessary Support EMEA HR Director and local HRBPs to help resolve Payroll related issues, employee benefits in kind, irregular payments, employee or vendor inquiries Ensure all employee related matters are appropriately dealt with and/or escalated via HR where relevant, particularly (but not restricted to) sickness and absence recording matters required for payroll compliance Remain current on all EMEA and local regulations involving Payroll matters and understand payroll related accounting principles, partnering closely with the Financial Controllers for each company Write and review payroll procedures on an ongoing basis to ensure compliance, standardisation and control Prepare the timetable, requirements and task lists for the monthly activities for executing each payroll, manage and monitor the activities to ensure a smooth and timely close following best practice processes for payroll Provide analysis for monthly/quarterly/annual variances to Plan/Forecast on headcount costs with significant variances investigated and justified where applicable to Regional Controller Prepare and deliver each payroll and accounting month end closing procedures to strict close deadlines with ownership and first review of monthly payroll balance sheet account reconciliations. Prepare all information for review with Regional Controller monthly. Serve as a lead payroll representative on payroll related projects with regards to both strategic direction and requirements, ensuring all proposed changes are fully understood and executed What You Will Bring Proven experience as Payroll Manager for EMEA territory Working with external auditors and managing elements of the audit process in accordance with local payroll and SOX compliance Extensive technical and compliance knowledge with international payroll Extensive technical and compliance knowledge with payroll accounting Change management and improving process and controls Experience as a functional business owner working with payroll systems Working within a highly sales driven and fast-moving culture Working with SAP, HRIS, ADP Streamline; local payroll providers Proven staff management skills and effective team leadership across a remote location Desirable: Working within a software company, ideally a global organisation Worked as part of a global Finance organisation supporting global actions and initiatives Experience of working cross functionally with IT teams on enhancements and implementations Experience of writing accounting papers to support business decisions and align with the relevant standard #li-remote #b2 #li-ND2 Ready to Join Us? At Sophos, we believe in the power of diverse perspectives to fuel innovation. Research shows that candidates sometimes hesitate to apply if they don't check every box in a job description. We challenge that notion. Your unique experiences and skills might be exactly what we need to enhance our team. Don't let a checklist hold you back – we encourage you to apply. What's Great About Sophos? ·   Sophos operates a remote-first working model, making remote work the primary option for most employees. However, some roles may necessitate a hybrid approach. While we are a remote first organization, applicants must have legal authorization to work in the jurisdiction where the position is posted, without requiring employer sponsorship. ·   Our people – we innovate and create, all of which are accompanied by a great sense of fun and team spirit ·   Employee-led diversity and inclusion networks that build community and provide education and advocacy ·   Annual charity and fundraising initiatives and volunteer days for employees to support local communities ·   Global employee sustainability initiatives to reduce our environmental footprint ·   Global fitness and trivia competitions to keep our bodies and minds sharp ·   Global wellbeing days for employees to relax and recharge ·   Monthly wellbeing webinars and training to support employee health and wellbeing Our Commitment To You We’re proud of the diverse and inclusive environment we have at Sophos, and we’re committed to ensuring equality of opportunity.   We believe that diversity, combined with excellence, builds a better Sophos, so we encourage applicants who can contribute to the diversity of our team.  All applicants will be treated in a fair and equal manner and in accordance with the law regardless of gender, sex, gender reassignment, marital status, race, religion or belief, color, age, military veteran status, disability, pregnancy, maternity or sexual orientation.  We want to give you every opportunity to show us your best self, so if there are any adjustments we could make to the recruitment and selection process to support you, please let us know. Data Protection If you choose to explore an opportunity, and subsequently share your CV or other personal details with Sophos, these details will be held by Sophos for 12 months in accordance with our Privacy Policy and used by our recruitment team to contact you regarding this or other relevant opportunities at Sophos.  If you would like Sophos to delete or update your details at any time, please follow the steps set out in the Privacy Policy describing your individual rights.  For more information on Sophos’ data protection practices, please consult our Privacy Policy Cybersecurity as a Service Delivered | Sophos