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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage payroll for France and Germany, ensuring accuracy and compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
- Company: Join a dynamic company focused on operational excellence and global payroll solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Be a key player in payroll operations and make a real impact on employee satisfaction.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in payroll operations with expertise in French payroll; German payroll experience is a plus.
- Other info: Great visibility and potential for career advancement in a supportive environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are seeking a Senior Payroll Specialist to provide expert-level payroll support across multiple countries, with a strong focus on accuracy, compliance, and operational excellence. This role is ideal for an experienced payroll professional who can operate independently, manage complexity across jurisdictions, and partner closely with internal stakeholders and external providers.
Responsibilities
- Act as a senior subject-matter expert for French (must have) and German (preferred) payroll, ensuring accurate and compliant payroll delivery.
- Manage end-to-end payroll processes, including data validation, payroll calculations, statutory deductions, benefits coordination, and post-payroll reconciliation.
- Ensure compliance with French and German labor laws, tax regulations, social security requirements, and reporting obligations.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll vendors, EOR partners, and internal stakeholders for France and Germany.
- Review, validate, and approve payroll outputs from external providers, maintaining strong governance and audit readiness.
- Support onboarding, offboarding, and payroll-related employee queries with a high level of professionalism and responsiveness.
- Partner with HR, Finance, and Legal teams to ensure alignment on payroll processes, policies, and controls.
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, including process optimization, documentation, and standardization across regions.
- Support payroll-related projects such as country expansions, vendor transitions, audits, and system enhancements.
Level, Scope & Growth Potential
The role is positioned as a senior individual contributor, with ownership of France and Germany payroll operations, and potential exposure to additional countries over time. The role has strong visibility across regional and global stakeholders.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications & Experience
- 5+ years of progressive experience in payroll operations in an international or multi-country environment.
- Hands-on experience managing French payroll is mandatory.
- Hands-on experience managing German payroll is strongly preferred and considered a significant advantage.
- Strong knowledge of payroll legislation, tax, and compliance frameworks in France and Germany.
- Experience working with external payroll vendors and/or EOR providers.
- Solid understanding of payroll controls, audits, and risk management.
- High attention to detail and ability to manage complex payroll data under tight deadlines.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Exposure to regional or global payroll operations beyond France and Germany.
- Experience supporting remote and distributed workforces.
- Familiarity with multinational payroll systems and HRIS platforms.
- Working knowledge of French and/or German language is a plus but not required.
Senior Payroll Specialist employer: Cytel - EMEA
Contact Detail:
Cytel - EMEA Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Payroll Specialist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the payroll industry, especially those who have experience with French and German payroll. They might know about job openings or can refer you directly, which gives you a leg up.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of payroll legislation in France and Germany. Be ready to discuss how you've handled complex payroll situations in the past, as this will show you're the expert we need.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on companies that align with your values and expertise. Use our website to find roles that match your skills, especially those that highlight your experience in international payroll operations.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can keep you top of mind. Mention something specific from your conversation to show your genuine interest in the role and the company.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Payroll Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Expertise: Make sure to highlight your experience with French payroll, as it's a must-have for us. If you've got any experience with German payroll too, don't be shy about it – we love seeing that extra edge!
Be Detail-Oriented: We’re all about accuracy and compliance, so when you’re writing your application, pay close attention to the details. Double-check your work to ensure everything is spot on – it reflects your approach to payroll!
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application our way! Make it personal by aligning your skills and experiences with the specific responsibilities mentioned in the job description. Show us why you’re the perfect fit for this role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cytel - EMEA
✨Know Your Payroll Legislation
Make sure you brush up on the payroll legislation, tax, and compliance frameworks in both France and Germany. Being able to discuss specific laws and regulations will show that you're not just familiar with the basics but are truly an expert in your field.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to share detailed examples of your previous payroll operations experience, especially any complex situations you've managed. Highlight your hands-on experience with French payroll and any relevant German payroll experience, as this will be crucial for the role.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Management Skills
Think about how you've successfully partnered with internal stakeholders and external providers in the past. Be ready to discuss specific instances where your communication and management skills made a difference in payroll delivery or compliance.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Be prepared to talk about any initiatives you've led or contributed to that focused on process optimisation or standardisation. This shows that you're not just about maintaining the status quo but are also keen on improving operations and driving efficiency.
