Payroll Executive

About the opportunity

SD Worx is a major European payroll and HR services provider with an international footprint, including offices across Europe and Mauritius. The company focuses on delivering people-focused solutions across the full employee lifecycle, from pay administration through to talent attraction, development, and reward. It is expanding in Ireland and is looking for a Payroll Executive to join the team in Bray, County Wicklow.

This is a strong opportunity to join a growing, fast-moving international organisation and work alongside a sizeable payroll team of experienced professionals. The role offers scope to build expertise, contribute to service quality, and support continued client retention and growth.

Role overview

In this position, you will manage client payroll delivery in a professional, efficient, and customer-friendly way. The role also involves assisting colleagues when needed, sharing knowledge, and at times stepping in for the Operations Team Manager.

Key duties

• Organise your own workload and deliver payrolls for assigned clients within agreed timelines.
• Check, validate, and enter payroll data promptly and accurately.
• Review submitted information, correct discrepancies, and ensure everything is ready before the live payroll run.
• Handle standard, complex, and unusual payroll or HR-related queries, working with internal teams, external contacts, tax authorities, and other stakeholders where needed.
• Support clients so employee payments and reports are processed accurately and on schedule.
• Ensure all payroll tasks for the team are completed within deadline.
• Prepare ad hoc reports and exports, and apply the correct costing.
• Oversee tax year-end activities for the client portfolio.
• Communicate clearly and appropriately with both internal and external customers.
• Provide monthly performance statistics to the team leader as required.
• Look for practical ways to improve efficiency, profitability, and day-to-day processes.
• Take part in team meetings, complete assigned actions, and provide updates where needed.
• Step in for the Operations Team Manager when required, including responding to requests from management and making appropriate decisions within delegated authority.
• Help manage team performance by spotting development needs and supporting colleagues’ growth.
• Share expertise with teammates and contribute to team effectiveness, including providing cover when necessary.
• Get involved in relevant projects and encourage collaboration.
• Use your initiative to improve your own work methods, service quality, and performance.
• Promote best-practice approaches across the service centre.
• Support colleague engagement initiatives within the department.
• Take ownership of your personal development in line with company goals and values.
• Guide colleagues through difficult payroll issues and provide direction where needed.
• Make sure payroll operations meet governance, legal, and compliance requirements.
• Continuously refine processes and working practices.
• Review system controls and reconciliations regularly.
• Assist with internal and external payroll audits.
• Manage Irish payroll requirements, including statutory payments and pension plans.
• Coordinate taxes, social charges, pensions, and insurance-related payments.
• Issue payment statements in digital or paper format.
• Maintain client relationships and handle payroll-related communication.
• Collect timesheets on daily, weekly, or monthly cycles as required.
• Process payrolls on bi-weekly, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual schedules according to the payroll calendar.
• Collect monthly payroll instructions from clients, monitor outputs, and verify accuracy.
• Calculate employee pay using payroll software at the end of each pay period.
• Carry out payroll checks as required.
• Respond to HR and employee questions linked to supported payrolls.
• Stay updated on current payroll legislation and changes affecting the entities you support.
• Follow data privacy and protection requirements, including GDPR.
• Arrange bank payments.
• Report on payroll costs.
• Ensure pay and tax deductions are processed in line with regulations.
• Enter new starter details such as bank account information and tax identification numbers into internal systems.
• Answer queries related to pay, benefits, taxes, and insurance deductions.

Required experience and profile

The role calls for hands-on experience in a high-volume payroll operations setting, either in-house or within a bureau environment. Strong Irish payroll knowledge is essential, and the successful candidate should either hold IPASS qualification or be working toward it.

You should bring strong written and verbal communication skills, be comfortable using different communication channels, and have up-to-date awareness of Irish payroll legislation. A commitment to quality, confidence to question existing processes, and the ability to influence change are important.

Experience in a customer service environment is needed, along with the ability to juggle competing priorities. The role also requires solid numeracy, an eye for errors, discretion with confidential information, and the ability to manage a high volume of payroll queries. You should be organised, analytical, calm under pressure, and able to work independently to tight deadlines. UK payroll experience would be beneficial but is not mandatory.

What the company offers

• A hybrid working setup with at least 1 day per week in the office and flexibility for the remaining 4 days between home and office.
• 25 days of holiday plus public holidays, with the option to purchase up to 5 additional days.
• Matched pension contribution of 6%.
• Medical healthcare cover, with employee or cash allowance options.
• Workation access, allowing work from any SD Worx location for up to 4 weeks per year within the EU.
• A referral programme.
• Learning support through an individual development plan and professional training.
• Career progression opportunities, both for deepening expertise and expanding into broader areas.
• Flexible working hours and open discussion around hybrid and remote arrangements.
• A collaborative culture spanning multiple locations.

Additional information

Salary details will be shared during the first interaction with the Talent Acquisition team, by phone or email. The employer also highlights its commitment to diversity and inclusion, and states that hiring decisions are based on skills, experience, and role-related qualifications rather than personal background or identity.