Payroll Specialist (Interim)

COFRA Holding AG; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

COFRA Holding AG seeks an experienced Payroll Specialist for an 8-month maternity cover in Amsterdam. You will run end-to-end payroll processes across Dutch entities, ensure compliance with payroll legislation, and support billing and regulatory reporting while collaborating with HR and Finance colleagues.

You will handle lifecycle changes, time and attendance, and benefits payroll, while improving processes and controls. English fluency is required; Dutch language on top is a plus.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in a Payroll Specialist or similar role.
• Strong knowledge of Dutch payroll legislation, wage tax, pensions, social security and employment regulations.
• Experience managing end-to-end payroll processes.
• Experience working with payroll systems and HRIS platforms (Exact HR Salarisgemak and SuccessFactors are advantageous).
• Strong analytical and numerical skills.
• High attention to detail and excellent organisational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Fluent in English (required) and Dutch (highly desirable).

Responsibilities

• Manage payroll workflows and ensure payroll transactions are processed accurately and on time.
• Process employee lifecycle changes, including hires, terminations, salary adjustments and other employment changes.
• Review, reconcile and validate payroll data before payroll processing and payment.
• Process and monitor time and attendance data.
• Administer wage garnishments in line with relevant legislation.
• Ensure accurate payroll treatment and taxation of benefits, allowances and other compensation elements.
• Coordinate payroll-related changes affecting pensions, insurance and benefit programmes.
• Support international payroll arrangements, including split and shadow payrolls.
• Assist with international mobility matters, including tax, social security and payroll compliance implications.
• Liaise with pension funds, tax advisors and government institutions.
• Respond to payroll-related questions from colleagues, HR and Finance stakeholders.
• Build strong working relationships with internal and external partners.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, controls and efficiencies.
• Contribute to delivering an excellent colleague experience through reliable and professional payroll support.

Skills

Payroll processing

Dutch payroll legislation

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Multitasking / prioritisation

English proficiency

Tools

Exact HR Salarisgemak

SuccessFactors

Job description

This an 8-month maternity cover position. We are open to candidates interested in either a fixed-term employment contract or a freelance/contractor arrangement.

About COFRA Holding AG

COFRA Holding AG is a family-owned group, headquartered in Switzerland, with operations in Europe, the Americas and Asia. COFRA has a diverse portfolio of investment businesses in private equity (Bregal Investments), real estate (Redevco) and asset management (Anthos Fund & Asset Management). Businesses and investments are also held in retail, clean energy and sustainable food.

Through business, COFRA strives to be a force for good in the world – a mission that began over 180 years ago. Today, we actively direct our expertise, energy and capital into businesses and investments that we believe have the potential to create superior value.

At COFRA, our people are at the heart of everything we do. Payroll is one of the most important moments in the employee experience, and accuracy, reliability and care matter.

We are looking for an experienced Payroll Specialist to join our Amsterdam-based team for an 8-month maternity cover assignment.

Working closely with HR, Finance and regulatory authorities, you will be responsible for the end-to-end payroll process across multiple COFRA entities in the Netherlands. You will play a key role in ensuring payroll is delivered accurately, compliantly and efficiently, while contributing to a positive colleague experience.

About the role

You will be responsible for managing payroll operations, statutory compliance, payroll reporting and payroll-related stakeholder support.

This is a hands‑on role that combines operational excellence, stakeholder management and continuous improvement. You will ensure smooth payroll delivery while identifying opportunities to strengthen processes, controls and efficiency.

What we can achieve together

Payroll Operations

• Manage payroll workflows and ensure payroll transactions are processed accurately and on time
• Process employee lifecycle changes, including hires, terminations, salary adjustments and other employment changes
• Review, reconcile and validate payroll data before payroll processing and payment
• Process and monitor time and attendance data
• Administer wage garnishments in line with relevant legislation
• Ensure accurate payroll treatment and taxation of benefits, allowances and other compensation elements

Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure compliance with Dutch payroll legislation, employment law, wage tax and social security requirements
• Monitor legislative changes and implement required payroll updates
• Prepare statutory payroll documentation and reporting
• Support internal and external payroll audits
• Perform payroll reconciliations and support payroll-related accounting activities
• Manage year-end payroll activities, including annual statements and tax reporting

Benefits & International Payroll

• Coordinate payroll-related changes affecting pensions, insurance and benefit programmes
• Support international payroll arrangements, including split and shadow payrolls
• Assist with international mobility matters, including tax, social security and payroll compliance implications
• Liaise with pension funds, tax advisors and government institutions

Stakeholder Support & Continuous Improvement

• Respond to payroll-related questions from colleagues, HR and Finance stakeholders
• Build strong working relationships with internal and external partners
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, controls and efficiencies
• Contribute to delivering an excellent colleague experience through reliable and professional payroll support

What you bring

• 5+ years of experience in a Payroll Specialist or similar payroll-focused role
• Strong knowledge of Dutch payroll legislation, wage tax, pensions, social security and employment regulations
• Experience managing end-to-end payroll processes
• Experience working with payroll systems and HRIS platforms (Exact HR Salarisgemak and SuccessFactors are advantageous)
• Strong analytical and numerical skills
• High attention to detail and excellent organisational skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
• Fluent in English (required) and Dutch (highly desirable)

Nice to have

• Experience supporting international payroll arrangements and mobility cases

What we offer you in return

This role offers the opportunity to join a collaborative and supportive team within an international family-owned organisation. You will play a key role in ensuring colleagues receive an excellent payroll experience while helping maintain a well-functioning and compliant payroll operation.

COFRA offers competitive benefits, a flexible working environment and the opportunity to work alongside dedicated professionals who value quality, ownership and collaboration.

COFRA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, colour, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin or disability. None of this gets in the way of hiring and retaining the best people.