Payroll Advisor with German (senior or expert) (m/f)

Join an international HR and payroll services provider specializing in German payroll. We are looking for payroll professionals at different stages of their careers - from experienced Payroll Consultants and Specialists managing end-to-end payroll processes, to Payroll Experts handling more complex cases and providing guidance on challenging payroll topics. You will collaborate with clients and internal stakeholders to ensure accurate, compliant, and efficient payroll delivery while contributing to the continuous improvement of payroll processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and support German payroll activities, ranging from end-to-end payroll processing to the resolution of more complex payroll-related matters, depending on your experience and seniority.

• Ensure payroll activities are delivered accurately, on time, and in compliance with German payroll, tax, and labour regulations.

• Serve as a trusted point of contact for clients and internal stakeholders, providing guidance and support on payroll-related topics.

• Investigate payroll discrepancies, analyse root causes of issues, and implement effective solutions.

• Handle and resolve payroll inquiries through appropriate communication channels, maintaining a high standard of customer service.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve payroll processes, enhance service quality, and identify opportunities for greater efficiency.

• Contribute to the development and maintenance of payroll documentation, working practices, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.

• Support the identification and implementation of process improvements, helping to drive standardisation and continuous optimisation.

Additional Responsibilities (for expert-level)

• Act as a subject matter expert for complex, non-standard payroll cases and provide functional guidance to colleagues.

• Take ownership of relationships with key clients, external stakeholders, or authorities where required.

• Lead or support payroll implementations, transitions, and onboarding activities for new clients or services.

• Participate in testing activities, including system integration testing (SIT), user acceptance testing (UAT), and parallel payroll runs.

• Translate business requirements into recommendations for process enhancements or system improvements.

• Contribute expertise to automation initiatives, template development, and broader payroll transformation projects.

• Deliver training, coaching, and knowledge transfer sessions to support the development of internal teams.

What we're looking for

• Several years of experience in German payroll, ranging from end-to-end payroll operations to advisory support in more complex payroll matters.

• Strong knowledge of German payroll, tax, and labour legislation, with the ability to apply this knowledge in day-to-day work.

• Fluency in both German and English, enabling effective communication with clients and internal stakeholders.

• Experience working with payroll systems and proficiency in MS Office tools; exposure to SAP-based payroll environments is advantageous.

• Analytical thinking and a structured approach to problem-solving, with the ability to investigate discrepancies and identify practical solutions.

• High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and commitment to delivering quality results.

• A proactive and customer-focused mindset, combined with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.

• Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information with professionalism and discretion.

• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to explain payroll concepts clearly to different audiences.

• Adaptability and resilience, with the ability to prioritise effectively and remain composed in a dynamic environment.

Additional qualifications for Expert-level

• Extensive experience handling complex or non-standard German payroll scenarios and acting as a subject matter expert.

• Experience gained within payroll outsourcing, shared services, or multi-client environments.

• Advanced knowledge of payroll technologies, including SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central (EC), Employee Central Payroll (ECP), and Payroll Control Center (PCC).

• Confidence in influencing stakeholders, providing functional guidance, and leading through expertise rather than formal authority.

• Experience supporting payroll implementations, transitions, or transformation initiatives.

• Ability to navigate ambiguity, challenge existing processes, and identify opportunities for improvement and standardisation.

• Exposure to specialised payroll topics such as expatriate and impatriate payroll, split payroll, or shadow payroll.

• Experience supporting large, complex organisations or public sector clients would be considered an advantage.

• Remote work model with only occasional visits to the office (a few times per year)

• Flexible working hours (core collaboration typically between 9:00–15:00)

• Stable employment - initial fixed-term contract followed by permanent agreement

• Competitive salary

• Annual bonus linked to company performance and individual contribution

• Private medical care and additional wellbeing benefits

• Prepaid benefits card and lunch allowance

• Financial support for home office setup

• Workation option - up to 4 weeks of working from different locations (within Europe)

• Life insurance, PPK and retirement savings plan contributions

• Access to professional development programs, language courses, and continuous learning opportunities

• Clear career growth paths - deepen expertise or expand into broader roles

• Friendly, international environment with regular integration initiatives