HR ADMINISTRATION & PAYROLL MANAGER

For an established international company with a significant operational presence in Italy, Aaron King International is looking for an experienced HR Administration & Payroll Manager to join the HR function and take ownership of the main people administration, payroll and workforce cost processes.

Reporting to HR Director and coordinating a small team, the person will act as a key point of reference for both employees and management across payroll, personnel administration, labour-related matters, compensation processes and HR reporting.

The position combines strong operational ownership with an analytical and continuous-improvement mindset, offering the opportunity to contribute to the evolution and digitalisation of HR processes within an international environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of personnel administration throughout the employee lifecycle, ensuring accurate HR data, documentation and compliance with statutory requirements.
• Coordinate the monthly payroll process together with the external payroll partner, validating data and ensuring accuracy, deadlines and regulatory compliance.
• Manage and supervise time & attendance processes, including working hours, absences, holidays, overtime and related employee data.
• Act as an internal reference point for employees and managers on payroll, contractual and HR administration matters.
• Ensure employment documentation and HR practices remain aligned with Italian labour legislation and applicable collective agreements, monitoring relevant regulatory developments.
• Develop and maintain recurring HR reporting and people analytics, including headcount, absenteeism, overtime, leave balances and workforce-related KPIs.
• Contribute to the preparation and monitoring of the annual personnel cost budget, analysing deviations, forecasts and workforce costs throughout the year.
• Support salary review, incentive and variable compensation cycles, working closely with HR leadership and relevant business stakeholders.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement and digitalisation of HR operations, supporting the implementation and optimisation of HRIS, payroll and workforce management tools.
• Provide reliable people-related data and analysis to support management decisions and wider HR initiatives.

Candidate Profile
We are looking for an HR professional with approximately 7+ years of experience within HR Administration, Payroll or HR Operations, ideally gained in structured, international or complex organisational environments.

The ideal candidate brings:

• Strong knowledge of payroll processes, personnel administration and labour-related topics;
• Experience in personnel budgeting, labour cost analysis and HR reporting;
• Good understanding of Italian employment legislation and HR compliance requirements;
• Confidence working with HR systems, payroll platforms and time & attendance tools;
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and a strong data-oriented approach;
• Ability to combine accuracy and attention to detail with a broader understanding of business priorities;
• Strong organisational, analytical and problem-solving capabilities;
• High level of discretion when managing confidential employee information;
• Effective stakeholder management and communication skills;
• Fluency in Italian and English.

Previous exposure to international HR environments, HRIS transformation projects or additional European languages will be considered an advantage.

Compensation:
€50,000–€60,000 gross annual salary, depending on experience, plus 5% of variable compensation.

Location: Ferrara.
Working model: Hybrid.