Senior Manager - Global Payroll & HR Operations (m/f/d) Fluency in German

Description

• Lead and manage external payroll vendors to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payroll delivery
• Serve as the key expert for German payroll tax, social security, and compliance topics, advising the Board and senior leaders
• Review payroll results, reconciliations, accounting interfaces, and support audits and statutory reporting
• Advise HR, Finance, and employees on payroll matters, including wage tax, cross-border setups, benefits, expatriates, and social security
• Lead the HR Operations team for the assigned countries in close collaboration with the international HR Operations Process Leader
• Oversee high-quality HR Operations processes across the employee lifecycle, from onboarding to offboarding
• Support global mobility and international assignment payroll topics, including shadow payroll and compliance requirements
• Drive process standardization, compliance, and continuous improvement across payroll and HR administration
• Prepare and review relevant payroll and HR documentation, policies, and procedures
• Contribute to international payroll and HR projects

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or a related field
• Certified German Wage Tax Auditor (“Lohnsteuerprüfer”)
• Several years of experience in German payroll and cross-border payroll topics within an international environment
• Strong expertise in:
• German payroll (10+ years)
• Wage tax law
• Social security regulations
• Labor law relevant for payroll

• Proven experience working with outsourced payroll models and external payroll providers
• Experience leading HR Operations teams or coordinating teams is a plus
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and manage complex payroll matters with confidence
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, including interaction with senior leadership
• Fluent in German and English, both written and spoken

• Knowledge of expatriate payroll and shadow payroll processes
• Experience with Workday or other HRIS/payroll systems
• Project management experience