Senior/Lead Payroll Analyst

Build a career powered by innovations that matter!  At Novanta, our innovations power technology products that are transforming healthcare and advanced manufacturing—improving productivity, enhancing people’s lives and redefining what’s possible.  We create for our global customers engineered components and sub-systems that deliver extreme precision and performance for a range of mission-critical applications—from minimally invasive surgery to robotics to 3D metal printing.

Novanta is one global team with over 26 offices located in The Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific.  Looking for a great place to work?  You have found it with a culture that embraces teamwork, collaboration and empowerment.  Come explore Novanta.

Summary

Novanta is seeking a Sr. Payroll Analyst – Lead Person to join our HR Shared Services – Payroll organization. Reporting to the Sr. Manager, HR Services, this role is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of all EMEA payroll transactions including salaries, benefits, garnishments, taxes, and deductions. In the Lead Person capacity, you will coordinate day-to-day team workflow and support teammates in execution.  The role also drives process improvements leveraging AI tools and collaborates closely with HR Enablement, Finance, and Information Technology.

Your Responsibilities

• Collect and submit international payroll data – salary changes, bonuses, commissions, etc. – via external provider’s systems.
• Review and validate payroll output; identify errors and ensure quick correction and problem resolution in compliance with payroll checklists.
• Support day-to-day payroll operations including processing, reporting, compliance, and time and attendance.
• Coordinate with Accounting and Finance teams to maintain general ledger coding, resolve discrepancies, and ensure timely account reconciliations.
• Coordinate year-end tax activities: adjustments to withholdings, government employer reports, and employee wage and tax statement distribution.
• Stay current on country-specific regulatory requirements and labor laws; ensure compliance across all payroll tax jurisdictions.
• Actively participate in Payroll / HR / Time and Attendance system upgrades (ADP, Workday).
• As Lead Person: coordinate daily team workflow, support teammates on payroll questions and exception resolution, and help maintain consistent adherence to controls and SOPs.
• Identify and implement process improvements and AI-driven automation in data preparation, reporting, and exception handling.

Your Experience, Education, Skills, and Competencies

• Minimum of 5–7 years of Czech payroll experience; multi-country payroll experience required.
• Payroll processing experience across multiple platforms (ADP, Workday, etc.); manufacturing environment highly preferred.
• Prior experience in a lead, senior specialist, or team coordination role preferred.
• Organized and detail-oriented with strong problem-solving skills.
• Very good knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word); experience with AI tools and automation preferred.
• Ability to influence and negotiate priorities; strong focus on continuous improvement.
• Strong collaborator, experienced in managing internal & external relationships.
• Must handle confidential information appropriately and meet deadlines consistently.
• Proficient in English (fluent speaking skills) and Czech is a must.
• Proven ability to multi-task and work in a challenging fast-paced environment.
• Priority Setting – Effectively manages workload, deadlines, and competing payroll cycles to ensure on-time and accurate payments.
• Problem Solving – Identifies payroll, time and compliance issues; performs root-cause analysis; and implements effective, compliant solutions.
• Learning on the Fly/Self-Development – Demonstrates ability to quickly learn new payroll regulations, systems, processes and AI-enabled tools. Actively seeks to improve skills and knowledge.
• Communication Skills – Communicates clearly and professionally with employees, managers, cross-functional partners; builds trust through accurate, timely and transparent communication.
• Customer Service Orientation – Provides a high level of service to internal customers; resolves payroll and time issues with empathy, accountability, and follow-through.
• Eligible to work legally in Czech republic.
• Willingness to travel occasionally (less than 10%).

Our Benefits

• Extra week of vacation (25 days/year)
• 5 sick days per calendar year
• 1 day of paid time off for charitable activities/year
• Flexi Pass vouchers with a nominal value of 1000 CZK/month
• Contribution to supplementary pension insurance 1000 CZK/month (after the probationary period)
• Flexible working hours (core 10 – 15:00)
• Every year, wages are reassessed from 1 April
• Meal vouchers in the form of a flat rate – monetary value (129,50 CZK/day)
• Monetary allowance for working from home (max. 2 days/week)
• MultiSport for only 300 CZK/month
• Bonuses for recommending a new employee up to CZK 110,000
• Free refreshments at the workplace (juice, hot drinks – great coffee, tea; healthy snacks and fruit/vegetables 2 times a week)
• Training, language courses, career advancement
• Dog-friendly office, Family-friendly environment
• Corporate events – Summer Party, Christmas Party, Family Day, SportDay, Board Game Afternoon, Meet & Greet and more
• Free parking for employees and shower at the workplace for athletes

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Novanta is proud to be an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action workplace. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, military and veteran status, disability, genetics, or any other category protected by federal law or Novanta policy.

Please call +1 781-266-5700 if you need a disability accommodation for any part of the employment process.