Payroll Specialist

Randstad Construction and Property; Remote; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A global industry leader is seeking a German Speaking Payroll Specialist for a remote role. This position requires expertise in managing payroll for multiple locations within Germany, ensuring compliance with complex regulations. Candidates should have hands-on experience with German payroll processes and proficiency in SAP and Excel. This role starts as a contract with the intent for permanence, allowing for career growth in a diverse and supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Several years of hands-on experience processing German payroll is essential.
• In-depth understanding of German tax, social security, and employment laws.

Responsibilities

• Manage payroll cycles for multiple German sites, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Serve as the primary contact for queries regarding payroll, tax, and social security.
• Navigate complex German legislation and lead payroll audits.

Skills

Fluency in German

Fluency in English

Hands-on experience with German payroll

Proficiency in SAP (Payroll modules)

Advanced Excel skills

Understanding of German tax and social security

Familiarity with SOx or similar controls

Tools

SAP

Excel

Job description

Payroll Specialist (German Speaking)

Pay Rate: 20.00 – 30.00 per hour

Duration: Initial contract 5 months (high potential for extension or converted to a permanent contract)

Location: Fully Remote
Travel: Once per quarter to Darlington; rare occasional travel to Germany.

The Opportunity

Are you an expert in German payroll looking for the flexibility of a remote role with the stability of a global industry leader? We are seeking a high‑caliber German Speaking Payroll Specialist to join a world‑class Business Services team.

This is not a standard "processing" job. You will be a subject matter expert, ensuring compliance in one of Europe's most complex legislative environments. While this starts as a contract, the intent is clear: we are looking for a long‑term team member to evaluate for a permanent contract.

Key Responsibilities

• End‑to‑End Processing: Manage payroll cycles for multiple German sites, ensuring 100% accuracy and strict adherence to SOx controls.
• Subject Matter Expertise: Serve as the primary point of contact for internal employees and external agencies regarding German tax, social security, illness insurance, and pension queries.
• Compliance & Audit: Navigate complex German legislation to ensure all filings are correct and lead the preparation for payroll audits.
• Process Improvement: Don't just follow the manual–improve it. You will participate in continuous improvement projects to streamline document workflows and SAP procedures.
• Stakeholder Management: Attend virtual and occasional on‑site meetings in Germany to provide payroll consultancy and support to local management.

Technical Requirements

• Language: Native or professional‑level fluency in German and English (written and spoken).
• Experience: Several years of hands‑on experience processing German payroll is essential.
• Software: Strong proficiency in SAP (Payroll modules) and advanced Excel skills.
• Knowledge: In‑depth understanding of German tax, social security, and employment laws.
• Background: Experience working within a highly regulated environment (familiarity with SOx or similar internal audit controls is a major advantage).

Apply today!

Randstad CPE values diversity and promotes equality. No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010. We encourage and welcome applications from all sections of society and are more than happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and/or additional arrangements as required to support your application.

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.

For the purposes of the Conduct Regulations 2003, when advertising permanent vacancies we are acting as an Employment Agency, and when advertising temporary/contract vacancies we are acting as an Employment Business.