Senior Payroll Specialist (Switzerland, EU&I)

Idorsia Ltd, a Basel‑based biopharmaceutical firm that discovers, develops and markets small‑molecule medicines, is expanding its global workforce and seeks a Senior Payroll Specialist for Europe, Canada and Switzerland. The position sits within the Human Resources division and supports the company’s ambition to bring innovative therapies to patients worldwide. The role involves overseeing payroll execution for the assigned territories, working closely with external payroll firms and internal finance partners. Core duties include supplying precise payroll data to providers, scrutinising monthly payroll results, handling invoice verification and payment monitoring, and preparing journal entries together with balance‑sheet and profit‑and‑loss reconciliations. The specialist also serves as the primary contact for employee payroll questions, aligns payroll forecasts with finance reporting, drafts accruals for holidays, bonuses and flexible time, and assembles documentation for internal and external audits. Additional responsibilities cover assisting with payroll roll‑outs in new jurisdictions, enhancing process efficiency, and managing year‑end tax certificates and statutory filings. Candidates must bring at least five years of payroll experience in a multi‑country setting, with solid exposure to EU, Canada and Swiss payrolls. Required expertise includes payroll accounting, general‑ledger postings, accrual handling and variance analysis, as well as a thorough grasp of relevant tax, social‑security and benefit regulations. Proven ability to review and validate payroll, collaborate with third‑party providers, and operate advanced Excel functions is essential; familiarity with SAP Payroll or similar systems is advantageous. The applicant should demonstrate strong analytical skills, meticulous attention to detail, proactive problem‑solving, and excellent stakeholder communication. Fluency in English is mandatory,