Payroll & Benefits Manager

Apex is seeking an accomplished Payroll & Benefits Manager to join our team. This is a pivotal, senior role responsible for shaping and overseeing our payroll and benefits strategy across multiple Luxembourg entities.

Operating at the intersection of governance, operational excellence, and employee experience, this role requires a leader who combines deep subject‑matter expertise with the ability to drive continuous improvement in a fast‑moving, regulated environment. You will collaborate closely with global Centers of Expertise (COEs) and senior stakeholders across HR, Finance, Compliance, and Legal to ensure a harmonised and high‑quality service delivery.

• Lead and oversee the end‑to‑end payroll operations for all Luxembourg entities (approx. 1,000 employees), ensuring full accuracy, timeliness, and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure all payroll activities meet CSSF, tax, and social security obligations.
• Manage external payroll providers and technology partners, ensuring performance and service excellence.
• Partner with Finance on payroll accounting, reconciliations, and monthly financial reporting.
• Maintain audit‑ready documentation and robust internal controls.

• Lead, manage, and optimise Luxembourg benefits programs (including health insurance, pension, meal vouchers).
• Benchmark and monitor benefit competitiveness to support talent attraction and retention.
• Manage vendor relationships, ensuring consistency and service quality.

• Ensure full compliance with legal, regulatory, and internal policy requirements.
• Partner with Compliance, Legal, and Audit teams, particularly for requirements linked to the regulated banking entity.
• Drive adherence to data privacy standards (GDPR) across all payroll and benefits processes.

• Lead and develop a distributed payroll & benefits team across multiple locations.
• Build partnerships with group COEs (HR Shared Services, Reward, Service Management) and global HR teams.
• Promote consistent standards, knowledge‑sharing, and alignment across international stakeholders.
• Contribute to a unified group‑wide approach to Total Rewards.

• Advise senior leadership on payroll and benefits strategy, risk management, cost optimisation, and employee experience.
• Champion process automation and system enhancements; lead or contribute to transformation, integration, and scaling initiatives.

• 8–10+ years of progressive experience in payroll and benefits, including at least 5 years in a leadership or managerial role.
• Deep technical expertise in Luxembourg payroll legislation, tax and social security systems, and benefits administration.
• Proven experience in regulated environments (banking, financial services, or similar).
• Strong understanding of regulatory expectations, including those of the CSSF.
• Solid experience with payroll systems, vendor management, and process optimisation.
• Excellent communication skills, with a strong record of influencing stakeholders in cross‑functional, international environments.
• Fluent in English; French, German, or Luxembourgish is a strong advantage.

As a global organisation, our benefits reflect local market standards while supporting the wellbeing and growth of our people. We place strong emphasis on continuous learning and internal mobility. You will have access to professional development, sponsorship programmes, and in‑house training as part of our long‑term investment in talent.

Please note that a background check will be conducted as part of the hiring process once a job offer has been made. In accordance with the provisions of the Luxembourg law of 23 July 2016 amending the law of 29 March 2013, candidates may be required to provide an extract from their criminal record. This document, issued by the authorities, must not be older than three months. Such a document will be requested with the aim of carrying out a character check on candidates, bearing in mind the area of activity of our establishment and, more particularly, the tasks described in the job description.