What happens when a global organization is juggling too many payroll vendors, inconsistent systems, and manual processes, without the internal expertise necessary to manage a transformation at scale, across global borders?
That was the situation at a global biopharmaceutical leader, as it embarked on a multi-country payroll transformation. The company needed to streamline operations by reducing vendor complexity, automating data flows, and integrating platforms like ADP GlobalView, Workday, and AON.
With limited implementation experience and high operational stakes, the path forward required clarity, coordination, and deep payroll project management support to deliver faster, smarter solutions across some of the world’s most complex regions.
A partnership approach to leading global payroll transformation
Payrollminds consultant Manuela Paggi joined the transformation effort as a strategic project manager with deep knowledge of business culture and operations. She led implementations across five countries and supported a large-scale United States rollout. Her role spanned project planning, stakeholder alignment, vendor coordination, and technical integration.
This is Manuela’s story:
When global payroll transformation demands more than technical expertise
As a payroll project manager, I’ve led many complex initiatives, but this one really stood out for me. I saw immediately that the organization was facing a challenge that many large enterprises encounter: too many payroll vendors, inconsistent systems, and manual processes that slowed everything down.
It fast became clear that what they needed was strategic payroll project management support that could bring clarity, structure, and most importantly, trust across borders, and not just an implementation plan.
Collaboration was the turning point
From the start, I knew this project would only succeed if we worked as partners. I wasn’t there to dictate solutions; I was there to co-create them. Across six countries, I worked closely with local teams, listening to their concerns, understanding their systems, and consistently building trust.
Manuela Paggi - Global HR & Payroll Consultant
More than 10 years of experience as a senior project manager and change manager, leading multi-country payroll implementations, vendor integrations, and digital transformation initiatives across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America.
“Trust is everything. When clients feel they can rely on you - not just for delivery, but for honesty and support - that’s when real transformation happens.”
This mindset helped us move from intense pressure to collaborative partnership. Instead of pushing tasks, we built shared plans. Instead of rigid directives, we asked insightful questions. That was the shift that made all the difference.
Manuela Paggi - Global HR & Payroll Consultant
More than 10 years of experience as a senior project manager and change manager, leading multi-country payroll implementations, vendor integrations, and digital transformation initiatives across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America.
This mindset helped us move from intense pressure to collaborative partnership. Instead of pushing tasks, we built shared plans. Instead of rigid directives, we asked insightful questions. That was the shift that made all the difference.
Meeting the challenges of worldwide payroll modernisation
Early assessments revealed systemic inefficiencies that included too many payroll vendors, inconsistent integration flows, and a lack of automation. Teams lacked experience with tools like ADP GlobalView and Workday, and manual data handling posed risks to accuracy and compliance. We investigated and identified the need for standardized processes, enriched automation, and stronger cross-functional collaboration.
This phase also required deep payroll project management support to align stakeholders and streamline integration.
Project transformation through payroll project management support
I worked with teams to introduce structured project plans, provide training on tools like SSL and PECI, and develop job aids that supported long-term sustainability. By focusing on collaboration and capability-building, we helped local teams take ownership of their systems and processes, ensuring the solutions would last well beyond the initial rollout.
Extending far beyond just implementation, I am proud to note that my work empowered local teams to take ownership of their systems and processes.
Delivering impact through shared ownership
In each region, from DACH to the United States, the international payroll overhaul looked a little different, even though the approach was the same: empower teams, simplify systems, and build sustainable solutions.
Switzerland
- Supported ADP GlobalView and Workday integration
- Delivered training and job aids for SSL
- Automated AON benefits integration
- Led enrichment to reduce manual effort
Ireland
- Managed payroll implementation for ~1,000 employees
- Integrated AON (G2), Workday (PECI), Absence module, and GL automation
- Supported testing and created SAP payroll job aids
Netherlands, Slovakia, United Kingdom
- Coordinated final-phase delivery and milestone tracking
- Managed escalations and integration setup
United States
- Supported payroll transformation for ~26,000 employees
- Mapped leave types and vendor flows across 16 systems
- Delivered blueprint documentation and led enrichment planning
The human side of payroll project management support
What made this project truly rewarding was the relationships. I remember working with one client lead who embraced the idea of partnership fully. We didn’t just exchange tasks; we built the roadmap together.
“Being a consultant doesn’t mean showing up with all the answers; it means showing up with a willingness to listen first. The best plans are built together, with trust and mutual respect at the core."
That kind of collaboration is what turns a project from good to great. It’s what makes global payroll transformation not just possible, but meaningful.
Measurable impact
- Reduced vendor count and manual processes across regions.
- Automated benefit and payroll data transfers in Switzerland and Ireland.
- Standardized flows for scalable future rollouts.
- Strengthened internal capabilities through documentation and training.
- Delivered a comprehensive integration blueprint for the US transformation.
Future outlook
While several rollouts have been completed, the United States transformation continues due to its scale. But the foundation we’ve built, based on trust, collaboration, and shared ownership, has positioned the organization to evolve with confidence.
This experience reminded me that payroll isn’t just about systems. It’s about people. And when you lead with empathy and partnership, even the most complex transformations become achievable.
Payrollminds Perspectives is a series of consultant-led stories based on real client engagements, showcasing the complex multi‑country payroll projects and operations our consultants lead. Each story highlights how our international team combines strategic oversight with attention to the smallest operational detail, partnering with both clients and vendors to get payroll right on a global scale.
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