Payroll Coordinator

About Our School
The Metropolitan School of Panama is a top international school in Panama City, serving students from Early Childhood 3 to 12th grade. With 800 students from 45 nationalities and 120 globally experienced educators, our diverse community is one of our greatest strengths.
Our History
Founded in 2011, the MET was built on a vision of academic excellence, exceptional teachers, small class sizes, and a joyful, inspiring environment where every student can thrive.
Location
Metropolitan School of Panama
Job Title
Payroll Coordinator
Job Purpose
The Payroll Coordinator is responsible for the accurate, timely, and confidential administration of the school's payroll function, ensuring full compliance with Panamanian labor legislation, tax regulations, Social Security requirements, and Nord Anglia Education policies and procedures.
Reporting to the HR Director, this role works in close partnership with the Finance Department to ensure the integrity of payroll data, statutory compliance, payroll reconciliations, and internal controls. The Payroll Coordinator serves as the primary point of contact for all payroll-related matters, maintaining the highest standards of accuracy, confidentiality, and customer service while supporting the school's operational and financial objectives.
Reporting To
HR Director
Key Relationships

• Finance Director
• Accounting Manager
• Human Resources Team
• School Leadership Team
• Banking Institutions
• Government Agencies (CSS, DGI, MITRADEL)
• External Auditors
• Nord Anglia Regional HR and Finance Teams

Key Responsibilities
Payroll Administration

• Coordinate and manage the complete payroll cycle, ensuring payroll is processed accurately, confidentially, and within established deadlines.
• Review and validate all payroll transactions, including new hires, salary adjustments, promotions, transfers, overtime, leave, benefits, deductions, and employee terminations.
• Verify that all payroll transactions are supported by the appropriate approvals before processing.
• Maintain complete and accurate payroll records and employee compensation information.
• Generate payroll reports, reconciliations, and supporting documentation for management review and approval.
• Process payroll payments through ACH and coordinate payroll banking activities.
• Generate employee payslips and payroll communications.
• Ensure payroll funding is available prior to each payroll cycle.
• Prepare and submit all statutory payroll obligations, including SIPE, CSS, Educational Insurance, Income Tax, DGI Form 03, PROFUTURO, and other applicable government filings.
• Perform payroll reconciliations, payroll provisions, vacation accrual reconciliations, and payroll-related General Ledger reconciliations.
• Maintain payroll documentation in accordance with audit and internal control requirements.
• Support internal and external audits by providing payroll documentation and supporting reports.

HR Tasks

• Work closely with the Human Resources Department to ensure all employee movements are accurately reflected in payroll.
• Process payroll transactions related to onboarding, promotions, salary adjustments, organizational changes, benefits administration, leave management, and employee separations.
• Maintain accurate employee payroll information within SuccessFactors and the payroll system.
• Ensure payroll information remains current, complete, and aligned with approved HR documentation.
• Maintain accurate payroll and employee compensation data to support the preparation of the annual budget and periodic forecasts.
• Respond to payroll-related inquiries from employees in a professional, timely, and confidential manner.
• Prepare employment verifications, salary certifications, payroll letters, and other payroll-related documentation as required.
• Maintain the highest level of confidentiality regarding employee compensation and personal information.

Compliance & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure compliance with Panamanian labor legislation, tax regulations, Social Security requirements, and Nord Anglia Education policies and procedures.
• Maintain effective payroll controls to minimize operational and compliance risks.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, system efficiencies, and internal controls.
• Support payroll system implementations, testing activities, and process documentation.
• Build collaborative working relationships with Human Resources, Finance, government agencies, banks, and external providers to ensure the timely resolution of payroll-related matters.

Person Specification
Minimum Requirements
Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field.

Experience

• Minimum of three (3) years of experience managing payroll processes.
• Experience with payroll systems and HRIS platforms (SuccessFactors experience is an advantage).
• Experience in payroll reconciliations, statutory reporting, and payroll compliance.

Language

• Fluent in Spanish.
• Intermediate to advanced English proficiency, both written and verbal.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of Panamanian payroll administration and labor legislation.
• Knowledge of CSS, SIPE, DGI, Income Tax, Educational Insurance, and statutory payroll requirements.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Strong analytical and reconciliation skills.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Customer service orientation with strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work under pressure while meeting strict deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across Human Resources and Finance.
• Continuous improvement mindset with strong problem-solving skills.

Additional Expectations

• Comply with all Metropolitan School of Panama and Nord Anglia Education policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate integrity, professionalism, accountability, and confidentiality in all payroll-related activities.
• Perform any other duties reasonably assigned by the HR Director that are consistent with the purpose and scope of the position.

Safeguarding
The post holder will be required to:

• Complete all mandatory Nord Anglia University (NAU) Safeguarding Training.
• Promote and safeguard the welfare of all children and young people.
• Report any safeguarding concerns immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
• Comply with all safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures.