[Hiring] Global Payroll Analyst @Oyster

Role Description

The Global Payroll Analyst is a 9-month fixed-term contract (FTC) role responsible for optimizing global payroll processes and analyzing payroll data to support accurate, timely, and compliant operations. As part of the Global Payroll team, this person will identify discrepancies and trends, support payroll processing and audits, improve controls and workflows, and translate complex data into actionable recommendations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collect, analyze, and interpret multi-country payroll data to support accurate processing, reporting, and decision-making.
• Validate payroll inputs and outputs; identify and resolve discrepancies involving employee records, benefits, taxes, deductions, and payments.
• Support payroll processing and help ensure country-level payroll and tax compliance.
• Conduct regular payroll audits and reconcile payroll records with general-ledger accounts.
• Investigate trends and root causes, then recommend practical improvements to accuracy, efficiency, controls, and compliance.
• Use payroll systems, HR systems, spreadsheets, and data-transformation tools to improve reporting and workflows.
• Coordinate payroll activity and data exchange with external vendors and cross-functional partners.
• Respond to payroll-related questions professionally and resolve issues with appropriate urgency.
• Maintain current knowledge of payroll regulations and industry practices, translating changes into operational updates.
• Strengthen documentation, controls, and team practices so improvements are repeatable and scalable.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in payroll analysis or related payroll/finance roles.
• Hands-on multi-country payroll experience and a strong understanding of payroll tax and compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated experience analyzing large datasets, investigating discrepancies, and producing actionable insights.
• Advanced Excel or Google Sheets skills, including lookups, pivot tables, and efficient data manipulation.
• Experience with payroll software, accounting concepts, and basic data-transformation tooling.
• High attention to detail and a strong control mindset, especially in audits and reconciliations.
• Sound problem-solving and judgment under time-sensitive conditions.
• Clear written and verbal communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across functions and with external providers.

Requirements

• Payroll exposure across continental Europe, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Central and Eastern Europe, APAC, or South Africa.
• Experience coordinating local payroll providers or other third-party vendors.
• Payroll-to-general-ledger reconciliation or broader accounting experience.
• Experience standardizing outputs from different systems into consistent templates such as CSV files.
• Experience improving or automating payroll analytics, reconciliation, reporting, or data-transformation workflows.

Benefits

• Work from anywhere: Oyster has no borders or HQ.
• Enjoy 40 days off per year (including holidays and vacation), or more if required by your country.
• Access to Plumm, our mental well-being service.
• Each month, receive a wellbeing allowance in your ThanksBen wallet to spend on a wide range of options.
• All new parents are eligible for at least three months’ paid leave, with job protection for up to 12 months or as required locally.
• Receive a stipend for your laptop and home office equipment to get you set up quickly.