Payroll Specialist

Role Description

We are looking for a tech-savvy, and proactive Payroll Specialist (m/f/d) to join our People Team and ensure our global workforce is supported by a world-class payroll engine. As our Payroll Specialist, you'll turn the end-to-end (preparatory) payroll process across our international entities - adhering to local regulations and deadlines - into a seamless, "prime" experience for every Appinio team member. You'll build smarter, more scalable processes and systems to support continued successful growth.

What you’ll be doing

• Global payroll ownership: Drive the preparatory payroll process for all international entities (Germany, Austria, France, Spain, Portugal, UK, and Netherlands), ensuring accuracy and on-time delivery.
• External partner management: Serve as the lead point of contact for external payroll providers, our EOR (Remote), and our PEO in the US, overseeing all payroll-related compliance and resolving statutory queries with precision.
• Employee support & service: Act as the primary contact for payroll-related tickets, resolving employee inquiries with empathy, speed, and a high level of expertise.
• Systems optimization & automation: Proactively identify inefficiencies to automate payroll workflows, reducing manual steps and enhancing the scalability of our global operations.
• Sales & performance incentives: Partner closely with RevOps to ensure the accurate and timely calculation of commission structures and bonus payments.
• Collaboration with Finance: Support the Finance team with staff cost reporting, audits, and data-driven workforce planning.
• Grant & subsidy support: Partner with Finance and Legal to support applications for international grants and subsidies (e.g., R&D tax credits or local employment grants) by providing accurate personnel data, salary documentation, and compliance reporting.

Qualifications

• You are a payroll expert: You bring 3+ years of experience managing (preparatory) payroll for Germany.
• You bring experience with managing (preparatory) payroll in France, and/or Spain, with a deep understanding of statutory requirements (experience with AT, UK, NL, US or PT is a plus).
• You have proven experience managing external payroll providers to ensure compliance; experience with EOR and PEO providers is a plus.
• You are a process optimizer: You have a "product mindset" and a track record of identifying manual inefficiencies and implementing automated workflows between HRIS and Payroll systems.
• You are data-driven: You possess a strong analytical mindset and are proficient in Excel/Google Sheets for complex data handling.
• You are an empathetic communicator: You have the ability to explain complex tax and payroll issues to employees with patience, clarity, and a service-oriented mindset.
• You live ownership: You thrive in fast-paced, scaling environments and take full responsibility for ensuring payroll remains transparent, compliant, and audit-ready.
• You are professionally fluent in both English and German (written and verbal).

Benefits

• Flexibility Policy - Our flexibility policy means there is no hard cap on the number of vacation days you can take.
• Temporary work from abroad - If you're based in the EU, you can work outside your country of residence for up to 180 days per year.
• All the hardware you need and your own MacBook.
• If you are located in Hamburg or Berlin, you'll get a Deutschland ticket or access to a mobility budget with the NAVIT app to get you to and from the office space.
• Subsidised Urban Sports Club or ClassPass membership based on location.
• Access to our Co-working spaces if you’re located in one of the cities where most of our fellow Appinioneers are (Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, London, Madrid, Barcelona, or New York).

Additional role details

This role will report directly to our Team Lead Talent Acquisition & People Operations.

Our interview process

• Screening Call with a Talent Acquisition Partner.
• Interview with our Team Lead Talent Acquisition & People Operations.
• Case Study Interview with Senior members of the People Team.
• Reference Calls.
• Executive Interview with C-Level.
• Offer.

Kind reminder: Please ensure that your application is submitted in English.

This post not only outlines our ideal candidate but also serves as an inspiration for what this role can evolve into. Even if you consider yourself an 80% fit but have a genuine passion for this position, we encourage you to apply. We're eager to hear from individuals who share our enthusiasm.

Appinio is an equal-opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

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