Senior Client Payroll Specialist

Job Description
Senior Client Payroll Specialist
Madrid - Hybrid model
Mon-Fri
Purpose of the Role
The Payroll Senior is responsible for leading end-to-end payroll operations, ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing, compliance with local regulations, and continuous improvement of payroll procedures. This role acts as a subject matter expert, supports audits, mentors junior team members, and partners with HR, Finance, and external providers. The Payroll Senior will manage a portfolio of clients independently, taking full ownership of their payroll processes.
Key Responsibilities
Payroll Operations

• Manage and execute full-cycle payroll processing for monthly payrolls.
• Validate timekeeping data, variable compensation, payments in kind, overtime, bonuses, and deductions.
• Review payroll calculations to ensure accuracy and compliance with statutory requirements.
• Coordinate with clients and Global Payroll team to ensure employee data changes (hires, terminations, promotions, leaves) are correctly reflected in payroll systems.
• Oversee payroll adjustments, retroactive payments, and off-cycle payrolls.

Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure payroll practices comply with labor laws, tax regulations, social security, and internal policies.
• Prepare and submit statutory filings, tax declarations, and year-end reporting.
• Maintain audit-ready documentation and support internal/external audits.
• Monitor regulatory changes and update payroll processes accordingly.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Act as a key user for payroll systems (A3NOM, SAP, Workday, Meta4, Sage, etc.).
• Identify process inefficiencies and lead automation or optimization initiatives.
• Collaborate with vendors to resolve system issues and implement enhancements.
• Maintain payroll controls and ensure data integrity.

Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the escalation point for complex payroll queries from employees or managers.
• Partner with Finance on payroll accounting, reconciliations, and month-end close.
• Coordinate with external payroll providers (if applicable) to ensure service quality.

Team Leadership

• Mentor and support junior payroll specialists.
• Provide training on payroll processes, tools, and compliance requirements.
• Contribute to workload planning and team performance improvement.

Required Qualifications
Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of payroll legislation, tax rules, and social security (adaptable to Spain or other countries as needed).
• Advanced proficiency in payroll systems (A3 NOM preferred).
• Solid understanding of accounting principles related to payroll.
• High proficiency in Excel for data analysis and reporting.

Experience

• 5-10 years of progressive experience in payroll operations.
• Experience managing complex payrolls (multi-country, high-volume, payments in kind, or shadow payrolls).
• Prior experience reviewing or supervising payroll work.

Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Ability to manage deadlines and work under pressure.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills.
• Integrity and respect for confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with international payroll or shared-service environments.
• Knowledge of complementary HR areas (benefits, compensation, time & attendance).
• Fluency in Spanish and English or additional languages.
• Payroll certifications (e.g., CPP, CIPP, or local equivalents).

Typical KPIs

• Payroll accuracy rate.
• On-time payroll delivery.
• Compliance audit results.
• Employee query resolution time.
• Process improvement initiatives completed.

About Us
CSC is a global business, legal, and financial services company based in Wilmington, Delaware, USA, providing knowledge-based solutions to clients worldwide. We have offices and capabilities in over 140 jurisdictions in the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East, and more than 8,000 colleagues. We are the business behind business.®
Visit our careers site to learn more about CSC and our commitment to our clients, communities, and each other.
CSC is committed to creating a feeling of belonging through a diverse and growth-oriented environment where everyone is valued.
CSC colleagues have global career opportunities and excellent benefits, including annual success-sharing bonuses or commission plans based on individual performance. To learn more, visit cscglobal.com/service/careers.
We offer a range of support to colleagues with disabilities, ensuring people have the necessary resources to thrive in their roles. We encourage candidates to work closely with our talent acquisition partners to convey their specific needs. Our commitment to accessibility reflects our broader dedication to diversity and belonging,
CSC only accepts resumes from employment agencies that are part of our approved supplier program. Resumes submitted from other agencies either to talent acquisition, our hiring leaders, employees, or through any other mechanism other than our supplier process, will not be eligible to claim related fees and the submitted resumes will be considered property of CSC.
We encourage candidates to apply directly to our website and not through third-party sources.
Disclaimer: The information above describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this role. It is not intended to describe all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications.
About the Team
At CSC®, we're always looking ahead, finding ways to innovate, challenge the status quo, and anticipate the needs of our clients. We exceed expectations by adapting client ambitions and goals as our own. This Fierce Client Spirit has helped us adapt and create solutions that have enabled businesses to run smoother and smarter for more than 125 years. It's also the reason we're the trusted partner of many of the world's most successful organizations.
CSC is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining talented people whose values align with ours. We empower our colleagues to bring the right solutions to market to meet client demand. That's why we are the leading provider of business administration and compliance solutions.

• CSC is a great place to work with smart and dedicated people.
• We have won several employer recognition awards, including Top Workplace USA, Great Places to Work India, and Built In's Best Places to Work.
• We offer fulfilling work and career opportunities. Most positions are filled with internal moves and employee referrals.
• Employees are eligible for Success Sharing, bonuses, or commission plans based on role and individual performance.
• CSC offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that includes annual leave, tuition reimbursement, referral bonuses, and more.
• As business needs allow, CSC offers hybrid or remote work schedules in alignment with local regulations. Specific details for this position will be discussed during the interview process.