Location: Lagos State
Employment Type: Contract
Working Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday
Unilever Nigeria Plc is part of Unilever, a global fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) company with products sold in more than 190 countries and a consumer base of over two billion people worldwide.
The company is recruiting to fill the position of Payroll Implementation Specialist. The successful candidate will support payroll implementation, transition and transformation activities, ensuring accurate payroll processing, regulatory compliance and effective integration of payroll systems across assigned markets.
Main Responsibilities
- Support the implementation of payroll operations and ensure Day 1 payroll readiness across assigned markets.
- Gather payroll requirements and collaborate with vendors to ensure compliance with local tax, statutory and social security regulations.
- Review payroll processes and recommend improvements to enhance operational efficiency and compliance.
- Develop, maintain and update payroll standard operating procedures (SOPs) and process documentation.
- Support payroll data migration, including data mapping, validation and testing.
- Conduct payroll testing, parallel runs, reconciliations and go-live readiness activities to ensure accurate payroll processing.
- Review and validate payroll inputs, including benefits, deductions, and time and attendance data.
- Support payroll system integrations across HR, payroll, finance, banking and other business systems.
- Ensure payroll accounting entries, cost allocations and finance interfaces are accurate and properly maintained.
- Monitor project risks, issues and dependencies, ensuring timely resolution and escalation where necessary.
- Maintain project documentation, implementation plans, status reports and governance records.
- Collaborate with HR, Finance, IT, Tax, Treasury, vendors and other stakeholders to achieve project milestones.
- Support payroll processing, audits, reconciliations and performance monitoring as required.
Requirements
- Five to eight years of proven experience in payroll implementation, transition or transformation, preferably in a multi-country environment.
- Strong practical knowledge of payroll systems and integrations, particularly Workday, SAP, General Ledger (GL) and finance interfaces, and payroll accounting.
- Demonstrated expertise in payroll processing, including gross-to-net calculations, statutory deductions, employee benefits and time and attendance.
- Understanding of local labour, tax and social security requirements.
- Experience managing third-party payroll vendors, service designs, Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and vendor governance.
- Knowledge of test management, parallel runs, data migration and cutover methodologies.
- Ability to manage multiple concurrent requests accurately and efficiently while meeting strict payroll deadlines.
- Strong understanding of governance, controls and compliance, including SOX, COBP and GFCF requirements.
- Competence in risk and issue management, escalation and project governance.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, including the ability to engage technical teams, HR, Finance and senior leadership.
- Strong project management skills, including project management office (PMO) activities, RAID tracking and status reporting.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-moving and evolving environment.
- Payroll certification, such as FPC or CPP, is an added advantage.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should apply online through the application link below:
Click here to apply for the Payroll Implementation Specialist position
Application Closing Date: 4 November 2026.