Payroll Expert / Regional Payroll Expert

We are recruiting a Payroll Expert / Regional Payroll Expert on behalf of our client, a fast-growing consulting and technology group that supports large accounts on digital transformation, data, technology platforms and IT services .

The group has recently taken over an international activity specialised in sensitive IT services and critical technology platforms . This position is part of this carve-out and integration context , with a dual challenge: maintaining the level of rigour and structure inherited from the original environment, while adapting it to a more agile and entrepreneurial culture. It is in this framework that the Payroll function is being structured across the GCE region (Germany & Central Europe).

The role

Reporting to the HR Country GCE, you will ensure the production , control , and compliance of pay slips and personnel administration for Germany and the CEE perimeter.

You will work closely with local HR Business Partners, Finance, and external payroll providers. This is not a classic payroll administrator position, but a regional expert role, transversal in nature, with a strong focus on control, compliance and provider management — particularly structuring in the current integration context.

Key responsibilities

• Set up and verify monthly payroll cycles for each entity/country: collection of variable elements, consistency checks, validation, closing.
• Check the quality of deliverables from local service providers and perform verifications (reconciliations, variance analysis).
• Manage bank flows and track cross-currency payments.
• Ensure compliance with TDS/withholding tax, social security, local contributions, and generate required documents.
• Handle payroll impacts related to international mobility: expatriation contracts, tax withholding agreements, tax and social security calculations according to local rules.
• Oversee payroll audits, respond to authorities, and implement corrective actions.
• Maintain and document standard operating procedures (SOPs), responsibility matrices (RACI), internal controls and training materials.
• Ensure compliance with GDPR and other local regulations relating to personal data protection.
• Contribute to monthly and annual accounting closings: reconciliations, payroll journals, vacation and bonus provisions.

Profile

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Finance, or Business Administration.
• Minimum 5 years of proven experience in payroll management , with a strong focus on the German market.
• Experience coordinating payroll for other European countries (CEE) is a strong plus.
• Deep knowledge of German compliance (income tax, social security, reporting obligations) and international mobility topics.
• Proficiency in at least one HRIS / global payroll solution (e.g., Workday Payroll, SAP SuccessFactors, ADP Global, NGA, Ramco, Papaya Global, CloudPay) and ability to manage integrations.
• Excellent command of Excel and analysis tools (reconciliations, multi-currency consolidation).
• Knowledge of international banking processes and FX principles and their impact on payroll.
• Experience in managing service providers (SLA, KPI, contracting).
• Native German is mandatory (interaction with local authorities).
• Professional English is mandatory (communication with the Group and CEE countries).

Why join this project?

• A structuring regional expert role within a high-stake carve-out and integration context.
• A function to build with real autonomy and a multi-country scope.
• A demanding yet agile environment, within a fast-growing group with clear international ambitions.