Senior Payroll Specialist

At AstraZeneca, we put patients first and strive to meet their unmet needs worldwide. Working here means being entrepreneurial, thinking big and working together to make the impossible a reality. Becoming a more agile and creative company means building a dynamic, inspiring culture where we celebrate diversity, bold thinking, are curious, creative, and open to new insights and ways of working. If you are swift to action, confident to lead, willing to collaborate, and curious about what science can do, then you’re our kind of person.

As the Senior Payroll Specialist, you will be a key member of our HR Services Team, part of the Global Business Services HUB, and reporting to the Payroll Associate Director, you will help support our objective of providing efficient process execution, effective issue resolution and accurate HR payroll data, whilst delivering exceptional customer service. You will be a payroll subject matter expert across HR and ensure operational excellence in payroll and related processes for our Italian based employees.

Accountabilities:
 
•    Monthly activities related to the preparation of payroll data in collaboration with the broader HR Operations and Payroll Team.
 • Italy specific payroll calculations linked to the CCNL (ie. Salary Split, Gross salary calculation for Insurances purposes etc.).
•    Yearly and monthly mandatory statutory reporting (DURC, 770 Form – Annual Withholding Tax Return, Individual Tax Declaration, Etc.).
•    Management and payment of Employees and Executives Pension Funds.
•    Global Mobility International Assignments: Collect data related to expatriate and inpatriate employees as requested.
•    Close collaboration with external payroll provider including daily communication, BAU case/issue resolution.
•    Building strong relationships with the payroll supplier to enhance the service, simplify ways of working and bring innovations.
•    Passion to deliver an exceptional customer experience, answer to employees payroll related queries and also bring proactive communication.
•    Apply appropriate regulations as required to guarantee compliance.
•    Perform appropriate audit controls to ensure payroll is processed accurately.
•    Complete payroll reconciliation and processing of various periodic reports.
•    Respond to payroll query escalations.
•    Research and resolve employee pay and time issues.
•    Act as subject matter expert for AZ payroll and applicable terms & conditions.
•    Work with other in-country HR teams to manage complex employee transactions.
•    Use the HR knowledge base and internal work instructions to ensure processes are executed correctly, and customer guidance is provided in an effective and consistent manner.
•    Support wider HR Operations & Solutions team with ad hoc projects & critical HR initiatives, as required.
•     Raise and maintain Payroll related POs/ Validation of Invoices.
•     Point of contact for National Government Authorities.
 
 
Essential Skills/Experience:
  
Experience supporting HR processes and transactions, ideally in Workday.
Strong knowledge and experience of payroll in Italy and the Italian payroll legislation 
Excellent knowledge of italian CBA and local applications/processes
Excellent command of the Italian and English language.
Strong attention to detail and takes pride in data accuracy.
Understanding of common HR service enabling technologies- e.g. case management, telephone, and online user portals.
Experience of Microsoft applications.
Ability to work with confidential data.
This role is primarily based in Milan, with the possibility of relocation to our Lisbon office.

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That’s why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we’re not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

 

Why AstraZeneca?

 

Join a talented global team that's powering AstraZeneca to better serve patients, every day. The fuel behind our evolving, rapidly growing enterprise, we're here to help unlock the power of what science can do and ultimately have a big impact on patients' lives. With countless opportunities available, this is the place to build an unrivalled reputation. And, as you take your career in new directions and to even greater heights you'll be rewarded for your successes.

Ready to embrace accountability and focus on impactful work? Feel listened to and empowered, more than a cog in a wheel. Part of an agile and strategic team, we embrace the accountability we are given to focus on delivering what really matters to the business. It's about playing to win by speaking up, rolling our sleeves up and seeing things through.

Date Posted

01-apr-2026

Closing Date

14-apr-2026

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity.  We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills.  We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.  We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics.  We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.