Why choose AstraZeneca Portugal?
As an exciting and emerging leader in pharma and biotech, we're pushing the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines to patients. This is where breakthroughs born in the lab become transformative medicine for the world's most complex diseases. Voted the best company to work for in Portugal 2023/24, AstraZeneca provides the thrill of a start-up within the security of a global firm that brings new challenges and pathways for a fulfilling career.
If you’re ready to make a difference, join our Global Hub in Corporate Affairs, Human Resources, Finance, Information Technology, Marketing, Global Business Services or Procurement. Bring your potential to our evolving team today.
Who do we look for?
Calling all dynamic, ambitious team players. At AstraZeneca, we empower people like you to push the boundaries of science, challenge convention and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. Here, you'll embrace differences and take bold actions to drive the change needed to meet global healthcare and sustainability challenges.
We're on the lookout for diverse minds inspired by difference who want to reach another level in their careers. Bold disrupters who confidently rise to challenges as fearless entrepreneurs. People who want to make a meaningful impact led by science in an organisation where global meets local. Join one of our offices in Lisbon and discover a culture of openness and vibrancy where diverse perspectives are encouraged and valued. Your work will have a real impact, no matter your level or function.
Success Profile
Ready to make an impact in your career? If you're passionate, growth-orientated and a true team player, we'll help you succeed. Here are some of the skills and capabilities we look for.
Tech innovators
Make a greater impact through our digitally enabled enterprise. If you're technology-savvy and have a digital mindset, you can use your skills and experience to transform and optimise our operations, helping us deliver meaningful work that changes lives.
Dynamic
In a constantly evolving environment dedicated to innovation, you'll use your strong sense of purpose to provide outstanding contributions. Although we're a global company, our Global Hub operates like a start-up, allowing you to work autonomously. Bring your fearlessness of improving patient outcomes, and we'll encourage your personal success.
Ambitious
Play your part in progressing a world-leading pipeline. Here, you'll improve patients' lives now and better the future of humanity. With our opportunities for continuous development, you'll exhibit your passion and potential to go beyond the expected — and grow in your career with our support.
Team players
Your unique perspectives make our ambitions and capabilities possible. Our culture of openness, sharing and giving allows everyone to speak up and express their ideas. In an open atmosphere of camaraderie and support, we rely on each other to further our progress and drive much-needed change.
Responsibilities
Introduction to role:
Are you ready to elevate payroll accuracy and compliance so our teams can focus on delivering life-changing medicines? Do you thrive on turning complex legislation into clear, reliable outcomes that build trust across the business?
As Senior Payroll Specialist for Spain, you will be the linchpin ensuring timely, compliant, and precise payroll operations. Your work will power the effectiveness of our people, from local employees to expatriates, by delivering consistent payroll results and resolving queries with confidence. In a fast-paced, data-informed environment, you will connect operational excellence to business impact—so every colleague can do their best work for patients.
You will collaborate closely with external payroll providers, Global Mobility and tax advisers, taking ownership of Spanish payroll processes end to end. From stock plan adjustments to statutory payments, your judgment and attention to detail will safeguard compliance, strengthen control, and improve the experience for our employees.
Accountabilities:
Monthly Payroll Processing: Own the end-to-end processing of monthly payrolls aligned to the payroll cycle, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
Provider Instruction and Oversight: Prepare and deliver clear monthly payroll instructions to external payroll providers; monitor outputs and validate results.
Compliance with Spanish Legislation: Ensure all stock plan adjustments and payroll elements are processed correctly under Spanish law.
Expatriate Payroll: Manage payroll for expatriate employees; liaise with Global Mobility and tax advisers to secure compliant, consistent outcomes.
Statutory Payments Coordination: Coordinate taxes, social charges, pensions, and insurance payments with precise reconciliation and on-time remittance.
Stakeholder Support: Respond to HR and employee queries regarding supported payrolls; provide clear guidance and rapid issue resolution.
Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities to streamline processes, strengthen controls, and enhance data quality, progressing from reliable delivery to measurable efficiency gains that benefit the wider business.
Essential Skills/Experience:
Proventrack recordin processing payroll accordingly with the Spanish labour regulations.
Good understanding of European-specific payroll regulations, particularly Spanish payroll systems.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English at C1/C2 level;proficiencyin Spanish is important, at a B2/C1 level.
Ability to prioritize and handle a high volume of employee queries.
Strong attention to detail and analytical ability.
Clear, fast thinker who can translate business needs into pragmatic solutions and implement them.
Positive attitude and excellent interpersonal skills.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to work independently and perform well under pressure with tight deadlines.
Experience with time and attendance systems.
Good knowledge of accounting principles and experience with expatriates.
Proficiencyin MS Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.).
Outstanding attention to detail.
Desirable Skills/Experience:
Experience with Workday and ServiceNow.
Understanding ofSpanishpayroll legislation.
Payroll-related certifications.
Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience is a plus.
At AstraZeneca, your payroll expertise fuels a mission with real-world impact. You will join a collaborative, learning-focused environment where bold ideas move quickly from discussion to action, and unexpected teams gather to solve complex challenges. We embrace digital and data to refine how we work, support constructive feedback and coaching, and value kindness alongside ambition. Here, you will grow your capabilities continuously, enjoy autonomy in how you learn, and see your contribution ripple across the company—enabling colleagues to deliver breakthrough medicines to patients worldwide.
Call to Action:
Bring your expertise to shape payroll excellence in Spain and build meaningful impact—take the next step today and help us power the people who deliver life-changing medicines.
Date Posted
08-jan.-2026Closing Date
22-jan.-2026AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.
Reasons to Join
Thomas Mathisen
There are many things I enjoy when working at AstraZeneca, mainly the Speak up culture, the great colleagues that are in my teams, the great products that AstraZeneca provides to our patients and the challenging conversations I have around our medicines.
Christine Recchio
Working at AstraZeneca has impacted my life in such a positive way. I now have an improved work-life balance through creating my own schedule and time management, I feel a balance that I didn’t have before.
Stephanie Ling
There are a lot of reasons why I enjoy working in AstraZeneca, my colleagues being one of them. My team members and the managers have provided a great deal of guidance in helping me to be more confident in my daily work.
What we offer
We're driven by our shared values of serving people, society and the planet. Our people make this possible, which is why we prioritise diversity, safety, empowerment and collaboration. Discover what a career at AstraZeneca could mean for you.
Aligned to performance
Our approach is designed to deliver great performance — stimulating our commercial growth, scientific advancement, collaboration and personal development. Never standing still, you'll have the chance to grow your abilities, skills and knowledge constantly as you accelerate your career.
Balanced
An energised work environment is only possible when our people have a healthy work-life balance and are supported for their individual needs. Typical benefits include healthcare, life insurance and long-term savings, and in many markets, there’s a range of benefits for you to tailor.
Holistic
We're at our best and most creative when drawing on our different views, experiences and strengths. Being valued for who you are and the difference you bring is at the heart of our culture — and you’ll be rewarded when you create authentic connections to our purpose.
Sustainable
Our two offices in Lisbon combine comfort with sustainability. From renewable energy, a zero-plastic scheme, electric vehicles and food waste reduction initiatives to sustainable reward practices, we're realising our ambition to harness the power of science to build a healthy future for everyone everywhere.
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