Senior Payroll Specialist - EMEA

Do you have an eye for detail and strong organizational and problem-solving skills? Are you interested in working with numbers and Excel, and keeping up to date with payroll legislation? If you have experience in payroll administration and enjoy working in a structured, deadline-driven environment, this could be an excellent next step in your career.

What You Will Do

The Senior Payroll Specialist - EMEA is responsible for supporting the accurate and timely payroll process for assigned entity/entities. In this role, you will coordinate monthly payroll inputs, validate employee and payroll changes, and partner closely with internal stakeholders and our external payroll provider to ensure every pay cycle runs smoothly. You will also support continuous improvements to payroll processes, controls, and documentation.

How You Will Do It

• Process payroll accurately and on time for the assigned entity/entities, following the monthly payroll calendar and local requirements.
• Collect, review, and input monthly payroll changes (e.g., overtime, bonuses, allowances, absences) based on information from internal systems and business teams.
• Prepare, validate, and submit payroll input files to the external payroll provider, and follow up on questions through to completion.
• Partner with HR, Finance, and local stakeholders to resolve payroll-related queries, support audits, and ensure required approvals and documentation are in place.
• Maintain and validate employee lifecycle changes (new hires, terminations, transfers, contract changes) to ensure payroll-relevant data is complete and up to date.
• Apply payroll deductions and benefits-in-kind as instructed and in line with local tax and payroll legislation (e.g., company car, fringe benefits).
• Perform payroll checks and controls (source-to-gross and gross-to-net), investigate variances, and ensure issues are resolved before sign-off.
• Support payroll process improvements and participate in payroll-related projects (e.g., system updates, process changes, harmonization activities).
• Participate in internal and external payroll audits by providing requested documentation and explanations within agreed timelines.
• Share knowledge and provide on-the-job support to team members as required.
• Maintain accurate payroll records and documentation, and ensure data is processed correctly in line with internal controls.

What We Look For

Required

• 3+ year of experience in payroll administration/processing (in-house or with an outsourced payroll provider).
• Good understanding of payroll processes and strong attention to detail.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage deadlines in a monthly payroll cycle.
• Confident written and spoken English for working with employees, internal stakeholders, and external payroll partners.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel (e.g., lookups, pivots, basic formulas) to support payroll checks and reconciliations.
• High level of accuracy, integrity, and a proactive approach to resolving payroll discrepancies.
• Preferred: experience working in an international or multicultural environment.

What Will You Learn

This is a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience with industry-leading payroll and HR systems, building valuable skills that open doors for your future career. You’ll get to collaborate directly with our external partners, business units across the company, and colleagues from all over the EMEA - expanding your network as you go. You will also have the opportunity to work on various improvement projects.

Our salary and benefits

The initial basic salary for this position will be in the range of € 1,830 - €2,754 per month, plus a 13th month salary applied after your first 6 months in the job. The final package will reflect your experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role. We are committed to fair, equitable, and gender-neutral pay practices.

• At Johnson Controls, your work comes with benefits that support both your career and your wellbeing.
• Meal vouchers fully covered by the company.
• Flexible benefits budget with access to 3,500+ options, including a MultiSport card, medical and wellness services.
• Extra savings through retail and lifestyle discounts (Benefit+).
• Allowance for the private kindergarten or nursery to support your family.
• Flexible working hours and home office days.
• Allowance for language courses, professional development support, and wellbeing support.
• On site benefits: massages, distribution of fruits, yoga, psychologist, health month, various events with supporting groups (volunteering activities, branding activities).
• Seniority benefits - extra monthly financial allowance, medical care and support, wellbeing day.
• Relocation support with housing allowance if moving to Slovakia

About Us

Johnson Controls, a global leader in thermal management, mission-critical building systems, energy efficiency, and decarbonization, helps customers use energy more productively, reduce carbon emissions, and operate with the precision and resilience required in rapidly expanding industries such as data centers, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, advanced manufacturing, and higher education.

For more than 140 years, Johnson Controls has delivered performance where it really matters. Backed by advanced technology, lifecycle services and an industry-leading field organization, we elevate customer performance, turn goals into real-world results and help move society forward.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion and believe that different perspectives make us stronger. By encouraging open dialogue and valuing individuality, we strive to be one of the most desirable places to work.

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