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. 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Identify opportunities to improve controls, processes, reporting, and service delivery while challenging inefficient or outdated practices.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 w