Payroll Lead

Payroll Lead

argenx

Ghent, Belgium

Role Overview

The Global Payroll Lead (GPL) is a key leader within the Finance team, accountable for payroll strategy and execution across all regions where argenx operates (EMEA, US, LATAM, APAC). The GPL ensures payroll is delivered with accuracy, compliance, and timeliness while driving global harmonization, process optimization, and automation. Acting as the primary point of expertise and escalation for payroll matters, this role partners closely with HR, Finance, IT, Legal, and external providers to ensure payroll not only meets compliance standards but also supports business growth and enhances the employee experience.

This role is based in Belgium and requires 2x/week onsite presence.

Roles and Responsibilities (non-exhaustive)

Payroll Strategy & Operations

• Accountable for accurate, timely, and compliant payroll delivery across all geographies;
• Oversees global payroll processing, approvals, reconciliations, and year-end activities;
• Ensures alignment with tax, labor law, and social security requirements in each country;
• Provides operational input into global people processes, compensation cycles, and employee lifecycle changes (e.g., onboarding, terminations, mobility).

Risk & Compliance Management

• Ensures global payroll operations comply with SOX and other internal control frameworks;
• Partners with Internal Audit and Finance to ensure readiness for audits and inspections;
• Identifies payroll risks, ensures these are reflected in risk registers, and drives mitigations;
• Provides timely escalation and resolution of payroll issues impacting employees or compliance.

Process Improvement & Transformation

• Drives global payroll harmonization, standardization, and scalability;
• Leads payroll technology initiatives (system upgrades, integrations, automation);
• Ensures consistency of processes across vendors and regions while maintaining local compliance;
• Promotes continuous improvement by sharing lessons learned and best practices across regions.

Vendor & Stakeholder Management

• Manages outsourced payroll vendors, ensuring service delivery against SLAs and KPIs;
• Oversees vendor selection, contracting, and governance in partnership with Procurement and Finance;
• Acts as primary point of escalation for vendor performance issues;
• Ensures strong alignment with HR, Finance, Legal, and IT stakeholders to deliver an integrated approach.

Leadership & Team Development

• Leads, develops, and coaches a small global payroll team;
• Provides onboarding, goal setting, continuous feedback, and mentoring;
• Energizes and empowers team members, fostering a culture of accountability and excellence;
• Acts as a role model for the argenx cultural pillars: humility, co-creation, innovation, and empowerment.

Skills and Competencies

• Proven global payroll leadership experience in a complex, multi-country environment;
• Strong understanding of payroll compliance, regulations, and best practices across regions;
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate operational challenges into sustainable solutions;
• Strong interpersonal, stakeholder management, and vendor management skills;
• Proactive problem solver with demonstrated ability to manage risks and resolve issues;
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage complexity, prioritize, and maintain both a helicopter view and attention to detail;
• Strong people management and leadership skills; able to coach, inspire, and develop others;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; culturally sensitive and effective in global teams;
• Strong literacy in English (additional languages are an advantage).

Education, Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in HR, Finance, Business, or equivalent experience;
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive payroll leadership experience in a global setting;
• Strong track record in managing outsourced payroll vendors and overseeing complex payroll operations;
• Experience with global payroll systems (e.g., ADP, SAP, Workday);
• Audit and compliance experience;
• Industry experience in biotech, pharmaceuticals, or life sciences is a plus.