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- Tasks: Manage payroll for France and Germany, ensuring accuracy and compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
- Company: Join Cytel Inc., a diverse and inclusive employer committed to excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional growth opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Be a key player in payroll operations and make a real impact on global teams.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in payroll operations with expertise in French payroll; German payroll experience preferred.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and exposure to international payroll processes.
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.
Key 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.
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 in London employer: Cytel
Contact Detail:
Cytel Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Payroll Specialist in London
✨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. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of payroll legislation in France and Germany. We recommend creating a cheat sheet of key points to discuss, so you can impress the interviewers with your expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your problem-solving skills! Be ready to share examples of how you've tackled complex payroll issues in the past. This will demonstrate your ability to manage the intricacies of payroll operations effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Payroll Specialist in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience with French and German payroll specifically. We want to see how your skills match the job description, so don’t be shy about showcasing your expertise in those areas!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for the Senior Payroll Specialist role. We love seeing your personality come through, so feel free to share your passion for payroll and compliance.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your past roles, focus on your achievements rather than just responsibilities. We want to know how you’ve made a difference in previous positions, especially in managing complex payroll processes across jurisdictions.
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’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cytel
✨Know Your Payroll Legislation
Make sure you brush up on French and German payroll laws before the interview. Being able to discuss specific regulations and how they impact payroll processes will show that you're not just experienced, but also well-prepared for the role.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully partnered with internal teams and external vendors in the past. Highlighting your communication skills and ability to manage complex relationships will demonstrate your fit for this senior position.
✨Demonstrate Attention to Detail
Be ready to discuss how you ensure accuracy in payroll calculations and compliance. You might even want to bring a few examples of how you've handled tight deadlines while maintaining high standards—this will really impress them!
✨Continuous Improvement Mindset
Think about times when you've contributed to process optimisation or standardisation in payroll operations. Sharing these experiences will show that you're proactive and committed to enhancing payroll functions, which is key for this role.
