Who You Are:
Do you love talking to people and have a passion for travel and being active outdoors? Do you have a deep-rooted desire to help others and prepare them for a positive active travel experience of their own? Do you have great attention to detail and you’re comfortable working in a fast-paced environment? If you answered yes to these three questions, we may have an opportunity for you!
About Backroads (New):
Founded in 1979, Backroads is the world’s leading guest-focused travel company, offering active luxury Biking, Walking & Hiking, and Multi-Adventure Trips. But we’re more than a travel company — we’re a sophisticated, dynamic and values-driven global organization investing deeply in our people, our guests, and the future of travel.
With a strong foundation and a focus on long-term, sustainable growth, Backroads has a culture our employees are proud of. One that empowers them to deliver exceptional experiences and to tell our story with pride in their own networks. Guided by a shared commitment to quality, accountability, integrity, and teamwork, we’re building a global culture where adventure and purposeful work go hand in hand.
About the Department:
The People & Culture Team is a dynamic and experienced group of professionals dedicated to fostering a positive and productive work environment. With decades of collective knowledge, the team excels in collaboration and innovation, ensuring that the organization's culture thrives.
Currently, the department is comprised of two teams:
- People culture & operations: Responsible for the employee lifecycle from recruiting to hiring, onboarding, employee & manager training, professional development, performance reviews, culture, change management, events and companywide communication.
- Payroll: Responsible for the seamless execution of payroll operations, time & attendance tracking, compensation accuracy, and vendor coordination.
By joining the People & Culture (P&C) team at Backroads, you’ll be part of a group that values building innovative people processes and fostering a positive, inclusive employee experience.
About the Role:
The Payroll Coordinator will play a crucial role in dealing with various HR functions within our organization. The ideal candidate will have global knowledge of HR practices in the Netherlands, along with a keen interest in the payroll process. This position requires a proactive and detail-oriented individual with strong communication and organizational skills. Additionally, we are looking for someone with a huge sense of service, a passion for working with numbers, a curious mindset, and proficiency in Excel.
What You Will Be Doing:
Your main responsibilities will be:
Payroll Administration & Compliance
- Oversee FS payroll for assigned countries, acting as a backup for other payroll coordinators.
- Provide payroll process updates and ensure correct application of country-specific rates.
- Maintain payroll records, ensuring accuracy and organization.
- Assist in preparing payroll documentation for audits and compliance checks.
- Act as an office payroll backup
Employee Support & Queries
- Triage Jira HR Help Desk, assigning tickets as necessary
- Respond to employee payroll inquiries professionally, empathically and efficiently.
Data Entry & Payroll Processing
- Update employee records related to payroll, including work hours, benefits, and bonuses.
- Manage manual payroll adjustments as needed for different country requirements.
- Support payroll-related activities for Iceland Pay and other country-specific requirements.
Timekeeper & Absence Partner for FS
- Review and approve field staff time entries and absence requests to ensure accuracy in assigned countries
What You’ll Need to Be Successful:
- Minimum of 2-4 years of experience in administrative payroll positions.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Proficiency in HRIS applications.
- Advanced proficiency in Excel, including the ability to use formulas, pivot tables, and data analysis tools.
- Enjoyment in dealing with numbers and ensuring accuracy in payroll processes.
What Success Looks Like:
- You ensure error-free, on-time payroll processing for your assigned countries and confidently step in to support other regions when needed.
- You maintain clear, organized, and audit-ready payroll records that comply with local laws, tax rates, and benefit regulations.
- You respond to payroll inquiries through Jira and other channels with empathy, clarity, and efficiency, earning employee trust and reducing follow-up questions.
- You adapt seamlessly to varying country-specific payroll processes, including handling unique requirements like Iceland Pay.
- You process manual adjustments accurately and review time and absence entries promptly to avoid payroll delays.
- You collaborate closely with HR, Finance, and field staff, building strong partnerships and ensuring smooth coordination across teams.
What You'll Gain
- A mission-driven company culture that values curiosity, ownership, and collaboration.
- The opportunity to work across borders with a passionate global People & Culture team.
- Room to shape your role and grow within a scaling international organization.
Work Environment:
- Utrecht, Netherlands
- 4-days in the office, 1 day work-from-home (Wednesdays)
Interview Process:
- Recruiter Screen (30-minutes)
- Hiring Manager Interview (30-minutes)
- Panel Interview (60-minutes)
- Reference Check
- Offer
About Backroads:
At Backroads we’re passionate about connecting our guests with so many of the most beautiful places in the world. We use our four-plus decades of expertise to create exceptional biking, hiking, and multi-adventure trips in over 50 countries for people wanting a deeper and richer travel experience. We travel on land as well as by small luxury ships on active river and ocean cruises. Our trips are for all ages – including dedicated itineraries just for families. We are known for our unwavering attention to quality. We have a dynamic work environment and a strong company culture.
Why Backroads:
At Backroads, we value every single member of our staff, and we’re proud to offer a dynamic work environment that enables growth. Your colleagues will be some of the most dedicated, competent, active, and fun people you will ever meet. A job at Backroads is unlike any other job you will ever have – you will be challenged, you will be inspired, and you will be gratified. No matter what you do here, you will be part of something that makes us all proud – delivering authentic, enriching, and often profoundly life-changing experiences. On top of all that, we have some pretty great benefits and perks! For example our US office employees receive:
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with company match, flex plan, and parental leave
- Generous paid time off, 8 paid holidays, and additional time off to go on Backroads trips!
- Complimentary trips and trip discounts for employees, and trip discounts for employees’ friends and family!
- Outdoor industry discounts and deals
- Alternative commuter incentives for biking, walking, carpooling, or using public transportation to get to work
- Wellness programs and regular lunchtime bike rides and yoga
Backroads is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
FROM OUR FOUNDER
I can't imagine a better way to travel the world than under your own power and in the company of like-minded adventurers. Sure, Backroads provides superb accommodations and meals, amazing Trip Leaders and unforgettable local encounters. But whether you’re sticking with the group or breaking off on your own, all of our planning and support are ultimately aimed at one simple thing: giving you the flexibility you need to discover the world on your own terms.
Tom Hale, Founder & President