Our client, a leading organisation in the Defence and Security sector, is currently seeking a Payroll Analyst on a contract basis to join their team in London. This temporary role will cover an employee on sick leave and involves supporting global payroll operations across multiple countries. The position requires strong attention to detail, the ability to manage multiple payrolls simultaneously, and experience with Workday reporting systems.Key Responsibilities:Coordinate end-to-end payroll processing for assigned entities, ensuring timely submission of inputs and approvalsValidate payroll data including new hires, terminations, variable pay and statutory changesReview vendor outputs and reconcile against expected resultsOwn and maintain master payroll calendars ensuring alignment with local cutoffs, holidays and compliance deadlinesLiaise with local teams to resolve data issues and ensure alignmentMonitor vendor performance and escalate risks or delays proactivelySupport audits, compliance checks, and documentation of country-specific processesOwn and resolve employee payroll enquiries via ServiceNow, ensuring timely and empathetic responsesJob Requirements:In-depth understanding of multi-country/state payroll regulations, tax laws, and statutory reporting requirementsDemonstrated experience using Excel, HCM systems, and outsourced vendor platformsExcellent problem-solving abilities, particularly in identifying and mitigating risks in payroll processesHigh level of integrit