Manager, Payroll Harmonization – Europe

Schaeffler

Manager overseeing payroll harmonization and standardization initiatives across multiple European countries in a dynamic technology company. Leading payroll transformation projects while ensuring compliance with local regulations.

Posted 6/10/2026full-timeHerzogenaurach • 🇩🇪 GermanyMid-LevelSeniorWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead and drive payroll harmonization and standardization initiatives across multiple European countries
Analyze existing local payroll processes, systems and policies and identify optimization and alignment opportunities
Design and implement standardized scalable payroll processes while ensuring compliance with local regulations
Act as the expert for payroll topics, providing guidance and strategic direction to stakeholders
Take leadership responsibility for projects and/or functional teams, including coordination, mentoring and decision-making
Manage and align cross-functional and cross-country stakeholders (e.g. HR, Finance, IT, external providers)
Ensure timely and successful delivery of payroll transformation projects, including planning, tracking and risk management
Collaborate with IT and vendors on payroll system implementations, integrations and improvements
Drive data consistency, data quality and reporting standards across countries
Balance global harmonization goals with legal and business requirements
Identify and implement process improvement and efficiency gains within payroll operations
Support change management activities, including communication, training and stakeholder management
Monitor compliance with legal, tax and social security regulations in different European countries
Provide senior-level input to strategic decisions related to payroll and HR operations

Requirements

What you’ll need

Degree in Business Administration, Finance, HR operations or a related field
Extensive professional experience in payroll, HR operations, or similar, ideally in a European/multi-country environment
Proven experience in payroll harmonization, transformation, or cross-country projects
Strong knowledge of European payroll regulations, tax, and social security
Experience with payroll systems (e.g. SAP, Workday, ADP or similar)
Demonstrated leadership experience (project leadership, mentoring, or functional responsibility)
Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
Analytical, structured, and solution-oriented mindset
Experience in international and matrix organizations
High level of ownership and ability to work in complex environments
Fluent in English

Benefits

Comp & perks

Exciting assignments and outstanding development opportunities
Health insurance
Retirement plans
Paid time off

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

payroll harmonizationpayroll transformationprocess improvementdata consistencydata qualityreporting standardscompliancerisk managementpayroll systemsEuropean payroll regulations

Soft Skills

leadershipstakeholder managementcommunicationanalytical mindsetstructured mindsetsolution-oriented mindsetmentoringdecision-makingcollaborationchange management