Payroll Implementation Country Lead

Role Overview

• Lead end-to-end Italy payroll implementations: discovery → requirements → configuration → data migration → testing → go-live.
• Conduct structured due diligence on customer payroll setups and constraints (CCNL rules, allowances, accruals, TFR, funds, social security/tax impacts, etc.).
• Act as a true subject matter expert for the specified country / region.
• Manage data migration and validation, including mapping, consistency checks, and loading historical/progressive values when required.
• Plan and execute testing cycles (including parallel runs when needed) and ensure reconciliation to agreed acceptance criteria.
• Act as the customer’s trusted point of contact during implementation—communicating complex topics clearly and pragmatically.
• Partner with internal teams to improve templates, tooling, documentation, and automation—reducing repetitive work and increasing quality.
• Participate in Sales hand-over, Lead client hand-over and client kick-off calls.
• Lead the planning, execution, and monitoring of global payroll implementation projects, ensuring timely delivery.
• Lead the process from inception through to Parallel runs and the first month of ‘Live’ payroll before handing over to Payroll Operations.
• Ensure that there is a record of all decisions that were taken throughout the implementation process and ensure Payroll Operations have full visibility including any Standard Operating Procedures that they will require to fulfil ‘Business As Usual’.

Requirements

• Proven, hands-on experience implementing Zucchetti Paghe Infinity (mandatory): configuration, data imports/migrations, setup validation, go-live support.
• 2+ years of Italy payroll experience, ideally in a consultancy/payroll bureau, outsourcer, or in-house payroll function with exposure to implementations/subsidiary transitions.
• Strong understanding of payroll foundations that affect implementation success (e.g., progressivi, CU logic, Uniemens structure, year-to-date handling, etc.)—even if you’re not running monthly payroll as your primary job.
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders, priorities, and timelines in a remote environment.
• Clear, structured communication: you can translate complexity into actionable steps for customers and internal teams.
• Experience with mid-year transitions, parallel payroll, and complex onboarding scenarios.
• Strong working knowledge of high-volume CCNLs (e.g., Commerce, Metalmeccanico).
• Experience in tech or high-growth environments; comfort collaborating with Product/Engineering.
• Professional English proficiency (written and spoken).
• Extensive payroll experience in a client payroll environment.
• Expert legislative knowledge in the relevant Country.
• Payroll implementation experience.
• Strong communication skills for explaining payroll processes and issues to customers and other stakeholders.
• Deep knowledge in using local payroll tools and software tools like SAP, Excel / Google Sheet.
• An analytical mindset with great problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to adapt to a fast-paced, international work environment with a passion for making an impact.
• Experience in accounting/reconciliations.
• Is a productivity geek and will constantly think of ways to improve and speed up their work.
• You understand the need and ideal to work largely asynchronously.
• Writes and speaks fluent English
• It's not required to have experience working remotely, but considered a plus

Benefits

• work from anywhere
• flexible paid time off
• flexible working hours (we are async)
• 16 weeks paid parental leave
• mental health support services
• stock options
• learning budget
• home office budget & IT equipment
• budget for local in-person social events or co-working spaces