Payroll Governance, Audit & Compliance Specialist

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Payroll Governance, Audit & Compliance Specialist based in Brazil.

This role sits within a global payroll organization and focuses on strengthening governance, compliance, internal controls, and operational <excellence.You>’ll help build a standardized, well-controlled payroll environment across multiple countries and stakeholders.The position combines risk management, audit coordination, KPI monitoring, reporting, and continuous process <improvement.You>’ll work closely with Payroll, HR, Finance, IT, Compliance, and external providers in an international environment.The role also offers the opportunity to contribute to a broader global payroll transformation journey and shape future processes and service models.Success will require strong analytical capabilities, attention to detail, structured execution, and the confidence to challenge existing ways of <working.It> is an excellent opportunity for a governance-focused professional looking to make a measurable impact on global payroll operations.

Accountabilities

• Drive payroll governance, compliance, and internal control initiatives across multiple countries and operational areas.
• Monitor payroll risks, controls, audit findings, remediation actions, and compliance requirements.
• Define, track, analyze, and report global payroll KPIs and operational performance metrics.
• Support process standardization, continuous improvement, and operational excellence initiatives across the payroll organization.
• Coordinate and contribute to internal and external audit activities, ensuring alignment with corporate standards and control requirements.
• Monitor payroll vendor performance, service levels, governance frameworks, and agreed operational commitments.
• Develop dashboards, reports, and data-driven insights to support management decision-making.
• Partner with Payroll, HR, Finance, IT, Compliance, and external providers to resolve issues and strengthen processes.
• Support strategic initiatives and contribute to the ongoing transformation of global payroll operations.
• Identify opportunities to improve controls, processes, reporting, and service delivery while challenging inefficient or outdated practices.

Requirements

• University degree in Business Administration, Finance, Human Resources, Accounting, or a related discipline.
• Professional experience in governance, internal controls, process management, audit, compliance, shared services, or a comparable function.
• Previous payroll experience is highly desirable.
• Strong knowledge of process governance, internal controls, risk management, and performance monitoring.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with reporting, analytics, and Business Intelligence tools such as Power BI.
• Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to turn data into meaningful business insights.
• Excellent organizational and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic international environment.
• Strong stakeholder management and collaboration skills across functions, regions, and external partners.
• Fluent English communication skills.
• Highly structured, detail-oriented, and organized approach to work while maintaining a broader global perspective.
• Ability to build effective relationships with stakeholders at different levels of an organization.
• Continuous-improvement mindset, proactive attitude, and willingness to challenge the status quo constructively.
• Experience in an industrial or manufacturing environment is a plus.
• Availability for an immediate start is preferred.

Benefits

• Permanent employment contract.
• Flexible work arrangement in Brazil.
• Market-aligned salary and benefits package.
• Health insurance.
• Annual bonus.
• Meal/food allowance.
• Extended maternity and paternity leave.
• Emotional support and wellbeing programs.
• Wellhub access.
• Additional initiatives designed to support employee wellbeing and work-life balance.
• Opportunity to work in a global, multicultural environment.
• Exposure to international payroll governance, transformation, compliance, and operational excellence initiatives.