EMEA Payroll Lead

Join Aon to advise payroll strategy, operations, and continuous improvement across the EMEA region!

This is a hybrid role with the flexibility to work both virtually and from our Krakow office.

Aon is in the business of better decisions

At Aon, we shape decisions for the better to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world.

As an organization, we are united through trust as one inclusive team, and we are passionate about helping our colleagues and clients succeed.

What the day will look like

As the EMEA Payroll Lead, you will lead regional payroll operations while supporting payroll transformation and alignment with global objectives. You will work across countries, functions, and with outside collaborators to deliver reliable payroll services and a consistent colleague experience. This role combines strategic leadership, process improvement, and partner engagement throughout the region.

• Build and implement regional payroll strategies aligned with global payroll objectives and transformation initiatives.
• Lead, mentor, and support regional payroll teams while driving standardization, harmonization, and operational excellence across EMEA.
• Coordinate payroll delivery across multiple European countries, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely processing.
• Manage relationships with payroll vendors and partner with HR, Finance, Legal, and Technology teams to improve payroll-related processes.
• Ensure alignment with payroll rules, tax mandates, social security duties, company policies, and audit controls across jurisdictions.
• Lead payroll system implementations, upgrades, automation initiatives, and reporting improvements to improve efficiency and transparency.
• Act as a key contact for senior stakeholders, auditors, tax authorities, and external partners on payroll matters and complex payroll issues.

How this opportunity is different

This role offers the opportunity to lead payroll strategy and operations across a complex EMEA landscape while playing a key part in transformation and ongoing improvement initiatives. You will collaborate with senior partners across HR, Finance, Technology, Legal, and external providers, helping build a consistent and efficient payroll experience across the region.

Skills and experience that will lead to success

• A bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or a related field is required, along with 8-10+ years of payroll experience. At least 5 of those years include leading regional or international payroll teams.
• You bring demonstrable knowledge of European payroll regulations, tax legislation, social security requirements, and payroll compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
• You bring experience handling complex payroll activities, vendor relationships, and payroll transformation or process improvement initiatives.
• You bring hands-on experience with payroll technology, HR information systems, and enterprise platforms, including Workday, ServiceNow, and regional payroll providers.
• It would be helpful if you have completed a master's degree or have equivalent professional experience and proficiency in additional European languages alongside being proficient in English.