Italy Payroll Specialist

CEG: The Colleague Experience Group (CEG) is responsible for all colleague-related benefits and programs globally, including career growth and development, leadership and learning, total rewards and well-being, recruitment, labor relations, colleague servicing, and more. CEG’s vision is to provide the best colleague experience every day to fuel growth, and they are committed to ensuring all of Team Amex has the resources and support they need to be and deliver their best.

At American Express, our culture is built on a 175-year history of innovation, shared values and Leadership Behaviors, and an unwavering commitment to back our customers, communities, and colleagues. From delivering differentiated products to providing world-class customer service, we operate with a strong risk mindset, ensuring we continue to uphold our brand promise of trust, security, and service.

As part of Team Amex, you’ll experience our powerful backing with comprehensive support for your holistic well-being and many opportunities to learn new skills, develop as a leader, and grow your career. Here, your voice and ideas matter, your work makes an impact, and together, you will help us define the future of American Express.

In this role, the Payroll Specialist will report to the Payroll Manager and be part of the Colleague Servicing Team (CS). You will play a key role in delivering accurate, compliant, and timely payroll across multiple EMEA markets, ensuring an exceptional experience for colleagues.

You will be responsible for executing payroll processes end-to-end, partnering with internal stakeholders and external vendors, and driving continuous improvement across payroll operations. This role requires strong payroll expertise, attention to detail, and the ability to operate effectively in a dynamic, evolving environment.

Key responsibilities include:

• Process and validate payroll inputs (salary changes, variable pay, absences, benefits) 
• Perform detailed payroll reconciliations and validations to ensure accuracy and compliance 
• Execute and support end-to-end payroll cycles, including pre- and post-payroll activities 
• Act as the primary point of contact for payroll vendors, ensuring SLAs, timelines, and service quality are met 
• Manage and resolve colleague payroll queries with a strong customer service focus 
• Coordinate and support the completion of local market tax filings and statutory reporting 
• Prepare payroll reports, monthly metrics, and support month-end and year-end close activities 
• Ensure compliance with local legislation, internal controls, and audit requirements 
• Maintain and enhance SOPs, controls, and payroll documentation 
• Partner with CEG, Controllership, and external vendors to ensure seamless payroll operations 
• Identify opportunities for process improvement, standardisation, and automation 
• Manage multiple priorities effectively in a fast-paced environment 
• Support internal and external audits as a payroll subject matter expert 
• Drive a high standard of service and colleague experience across payroll processes 

• 2–3+ years of experience in payroll processing or related field, ideally within a multi-country EMEA environment 
• Strong knowledge of payroll processes, statutory requirements, and tax regulations 
• High attention to detail and accuracy with strong analytical skills 
• Proven problem-solving and troubleshooting capabilities 
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills 
• Ability to work collaboratively and influence across teams 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills 
• Strong oral and written skills in Italian and English 
• Strong customer service mindset and responsiveness

Employment eligibility to work with American Express in Italy is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for these positions.