Senior Payroll Manager

Vestas; Aarhus kommune; On-site; DKK 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Vestas in Aarhus seeks a Senior Payroll Manager to lead the Denmark payroll team, drive system implementations, and harmonize processes across the region for a compliant and employee‑focused payroll experience.

You will collaborate with HR, Finance, Tax, and external providers, oversee end‑to‑end payroll for about 7,500 employees, and contribute to global payroll standardization and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Lead and develop the Denmark payroll team to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Oversee end-to-end payroll operations, governance and timely delivery.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, Tax, Benefits, HRIS and external providers.
• Ensure Danish tax, labour law, social security compliance and reporting.
• Support payroll transformation and system implementations within SAP.

Responsibilities

• Guide and develop the payroll team in a collaborative setting.
• Oversee end-to-end payroll operations for Denmark with governance and controls.
• Act as payroll SME for Denmark; advise on legislation, compliance, risks and controls.
• Ensure compliance with Danish payroll, tax, labour law, social security and reporting.
• Partner with HR, Finance, Tax, Benefits, HRIS and external providers for alignment.
• Drive operational excellence with automation and standardization.
• Manage payroll vendor relationships and performance.
• Support SAP payroll projects including upgrades, integrations, and enhancements.

Skills

End-to-end payroll leadership

Danish payroll legislation

Vendor governance

SAP payroll

English fluency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance or related field

Tools

SAP

Job description

Management | Full-Time

People & Culture > Digital P&C & Automation > Global People Services, NCE (North Central Europe)

About The Job

Would you like to step into a Company with a vision to be an industry leader in Sustainable Energy Solutions and take on the important role of Senior Payroll Manager in our Aarhus office? Are you ready to lead an experienced payroll team, support major system implementations, and help shape the future of payroll through global collaboration and process harmonization?

The Vestas North Central Europe Payroll team consists of 12 payroll professionals and oversee a payroll scope supporting approximately 7,500 employees across both blue-collar and white-collar populations in Denmark. You will play a critical role in enabling your team's effectiveness, ensuring operational excellence, and delivering a compliant, efficient, and employee-focused payroll experience.

Responsibilities

• Guide, assist, and advance the payroll team in a collaborative, inclusive setting that helps employees work toward their goals, grow in their careers, and perform effectively
• Oversee end-to-end payroll operations for Denmark, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll delivery supported by effective governance and controls
• Act as the payroll subject matter expert for Denmark, providing guidance on payroll legislation, compliance, risks, controls, and best practices
• Ensure compliance with Danish payroll, tax, labor law, social security, and statutory reporting requirements, including audit support and internal controls
• Partner closely with HR, Finance, Tax, Benefits, HRIS teams, external payroll providers, and the global payroll organization to ensure seamless payroll delivery and alignment with global standards
• Deliver operational Excellence with continuous improvement, automation, standardization, and optimization initiatives designed to increase efficiency and enhance the employee experience
• Manage payroll vendor relationships, ensuring effective service delivery, performance, compliance, and continuous improvement
• Support payroll and HR transformation initiatives, including system implementations, upgrades, testing, integrations, and process enhancements within the SAP payroll landscape

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field
• 7+ years of experience leading end-to-end payroll operations, including payroll governance, compliance, controls, service delivery, and people's leadership responsibilities
• Deep knowledge of Danish payroll legislation, tax regulations, labor law, social security requirements, and statutory reporting
• Experience managing external payroll providers and ensuring effective vendor governance and service performance
• Demonstrated skill in working effectively with cross-functional stakeholders across HR, Finance, Tax, Benefits, HRIS, Audit, and external partners
• Experience working with payroll systems and technologies, including SAP, and supporting system implementations, upgrades, integrations, or enhancements
• Practical experience advancing payroll transformation, process optimization, standardization, and continuous improvement programs
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken

Competencies

• Ability to lead with confidence while supporting team growth, engagement, and collaboration
• Trusted advisor approach with effective stakeholder management and the ability to collaborate across local and global organizations
• Effective analytical and problem-solving capabilities, using data and insights to support decision‑making and operational improvements
• High attention to detail, with a commitment to compliance, accuracy, and risk management
• Customer‑focused approach with a focus on improving employee experience and service delivery
• Continuous improvement mindset with the ability to implement change, automation, and operational excellence
• Skilled in organizing work and setting priorities, while managing several deadlines and shifting responsibilities in a busy environment
• Capable of navigating change and transformation while maintaining focus and supporting others effectively

What We Offer

When you join our team, you’ll be part of one of the world’s most sustainable companies and contribute to a global payroll transformation effort with a clear focus on change and transformation. You become part of an engaged People & Culture team, develop professionally, and create beneficial changes for leaders and employees.

DEIB Statement

At Vestas, we recognize the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion in driving innovation and success. We strongly encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, particularly those who may hesitate due to their identity or feel they do not meet every criterion. As our CEO states, "Expertise and talent come in many forms, and a diverse workforce enhances our ability to think differently and solve the complex challenges of our industry". Your unique perspective is what will help us powering the solution for a sustainable, green energy future.

About Vestas

Vestas is the energy industry’s global partner on sustainable energy solutions. We are specialised in designing, manufacturing, installing, and servicing wind turbines, both onshore and offshore. Across the globe, we have installed more wind power than anyone else. We consider ourselves pioneers within the industry, as we continuously aim to design new solutions and technologies to create a more sustainable future for all of us. With more than 173 GW of wind power installed worldwide and 40+ years of experience in wind energy, we have an unmatched track record demonstrating our expertise within the field. With 29,000 employees globally, we are a diverse team united by a common goal: to power the solution – today, tomorrow, and far into the future. Vestas promotes a diverse workforce which embraces all social identities and is free of any discrimination. We commit to create and sustain an environment that acknowledges and harvests different experiences, skills, and perspectives. We also aim to give everyone equal access to opportunity. To learn more about our company and life at Vestas, we invite you to visit our website at www.vestas.com and follow us on our social media channels. We also encourage you to join our Talent Universe to receive notifications on new and relevant postings.