Payroll Operations Manager

Build a career powered by innovations that matter!  At Novanta, our innovations power technology products that are transforming healthcare and advanced manufacturing—improving productivity, enhancing people’s lives and redefining what’s possible.  We create for our global customers engineered components and sub-systems that deliver extreme precision and performance for a range of mission-critical applications—from minimally invasive surgery to robotics to 3D metal printing.

Novanta is one global team with over 26 offices located in The Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific.  Looking for a great place to work?  You have found it with a culture that embraces teamwork, collaboration and empowerment.  Come explore Novanta.

Summary

We’re seeking a tech-savvy with strong process skills, detail-oriented, and agile Payroll Operations Manager to support our fast-paced environment. This individual contributor role is responsible for managing end-to-end payroll processes and leading the implementation and configuration of payroll and time & attendance systems. A key focus of the role is partnering cross-functionally to automate workflows and integrate AI-powered tools that optimize payroll and time tracking tasks to enhance accuracy.  You will drive the transition from legacy platforms to modern solutions, ensuring a seamless employee experience. Collaboration with IT, Finance, Legal, and Human Resources teams is essential to maintain compliance, data integrity, and continuous innovation in our payroll operations.

Location

Preferred workplace is in our Brno office with occasional work from home. Occasional travelling might be needed to UK or Germany (cca 4-times per year).

Your Key Responsibilities

• Assess payroll requirements and business processes.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to automate workflows and integrate AI-powered tools that optimize payroll tasks and enhance accuracy.
• Configure and implement payroll software, integrate with HRIS (Workday), time and attendance tracking and general ledger.
• Manage data migration, validation, and system testing using AI-assisted tools to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Troubleshoot and resolve payroll system issues during and after implementation.
• Maintain detailed documentation of implementation processes and system configurations.
• Stay current with payroll legislation and system updates to ensure compliance with payroll, labor and tax regulations.
• Provide training and support to users on system and best practices.
• Collaborate with internal teams (IT, HR, Finance, Legal) to ensure secure and efficient data handling and payroll-related needs.
• Manage payroll audits, reporting, and reconciliations using AI-assisted tools.
• Support HRIS systems to ensure a successful lifecycle process.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives for payroll and HR efficiency.

Your Experience and Qualifications

• Proven expertise in payroll systems implementation and configuration, including transitions from legacy platforms.
• Skilled in work with data (MS Excel, PowerBI).
• Familiarity with AI-enhanced payroll tools and automation technologies (e.g., anomaly detection, predictive analytics, smart workflows).
• Background in process improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma).
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in payroll operations, preferably within a manufacturing environment.
• Some project coordination or technical leading experience is a big plus.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field.
• Exceptional attention to detail, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong understanding of EMEA payroll compliance, tax regulations, and labor laws.
• Fluent English on advanced level. Speaking Czech is also highly preferred.
• Excellent communication, change management and problem-solving abilities.
• Technical and process oriented mindset

Your Preferred Skills

• Experience with platform implementation preferably ADP, Cloud Pay, or Deel.
• Proficiency in HRIS platforms, preferably Workday, to integrate with other systems.

Our Benefits

• Extra week of vacation (25 days/year)
• 5 sick days per calendar year
• 1 day of paid time off for charitable activities/year
• Flexi Pass vouchers with a nominal value of 1000 CZK/month
• Contribution to supplementary pension insurance 1000 CZK/month (after the probationary period)
• Flexible working hours (core 10 – 15:00)
• Every year, wages are reassessed from 1 April
• Meal vouchers in the form of a flat rate – monetary value (123,90 CZK/day)
• Monetary allowance for working from home (max. 2 days/week)
• MultiSport for only 300 CZK/month
• Bonuses for recommending a new employee up to CZK 110,000
• Free refreshments at the workplace (juice, hot drinks – coffee, tea; healthy snacks and fruit/vegetables 2 times a week)
• Training, language courses, career advancement
• Dog-friendly office, Family-friendly environment
• Corporate events – Summer Party, Christmas Party, Family Day, SportDay, Board Game Afternoon, Meet & Greet and more
• Free parking for employees and shower at the workplace for athletes

#LI-JM1

#LI-Hybrid

Novanta is proud to be an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action workplace. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, military and veteran status, disability, genetics, or any other category protected by federal law or Novanta policy.

Please call +1 781-266-5700 if you need a disability accommodation for any part of the employment process.