Payroll Subject Matter Expert; SME - Germany

The Payroll Subject Matter Expert (SME) will serve as the primary expert on payroll regulations, compliance, and best practices across designated regions. This roleis responsible for guiding payroll processes, supporting client implementations, ensuring regulatory adherence, andoptimizingpayroll operations. The SME will collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders to drive process improvements and provide expert support for payroll-related matters. Additionally, the SME will oversee end-to-end payroll processing to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and compliance with all relevant regulations.

• Oversee and execute end-to-end payroll processing, ensuring timely and accurate payroll runs.
• Ensure compliance with labor laws, tax regulations, and reporting requirements in supported jurisdictions.
• Ensure accurate calculations for statutory deductions, benefits, and remittances.
• Conduct regular payroll reconciliations, audits, and compliance checks.
• Stay updated on changes in payroll legislation and implement necessary adjustments.
• Lead the onboarding and implementation of payroll solutions for both new and transitioning German clients, including implementation in our internal Blue Ocean system and DATEV.
• Advise clients on payroll best practices, configurations, and process optimizations.
• Troubleshoot payroll issues and ensure timely and accurate resolutions.
• Collaborate with internal teams (HR, Finance, Implementation) to align payroll processes with overall business needs.
• Identify inefficiencies in payroll operations and recommend improvements to enhance accuracy and efficiency.
• Support payroll automation initiatives and system enhancements in collaboration with IT and product teams.
• Develop and maintain payroll documentation, SOPs, and training materials.
• Serve as a trusted advisor for payroll-related inquiries from internal stakeholders and clients.
• Deliver training sessions on payroll systems, compliance, and process usage.
• Serve as the primary point of contact (POC) for payroll-related audits, coordinating with internal stakeholders, external auditors, and relevant authorities, and ensuring timely and accurate documentation and responses. Accompany and support audit processes to ensure full compliance and resolution of findings.
• Work closely with external partners, including payroll vendors and relevant authorities or agencies.

• 5+ years of payroll experience, including hands‑on processing and compliance oversight.
• In-depth knowledge of payroll legislation, tax regulations, and employment standards.
• Experience with payroll system implementations, process improvements, and automation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to resolve complex payroll issues.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain payroll concepts to diverse stakeholders.
• Required hands‑on experience with DATEV and strong proficiency in payroll software, with advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Payroll certification is preferred.
• Fluency in English and German is required.
• Multilingual proficiency is a plus, depending on the regions supported.

This role combines operational payroll expertise with strategic subject matter responsibilities, playing a key role in ensuring both compliance and continuous improvement in payroll service delivery.

GoGlobal is the leading professional services company to guide, establish and manage global operations with compliance and confidence. We bring the human touch to entering new markets and consolidating vendors through a single point of management. With a presence in over 140 countries on six continents and growing, we make running a global business easy.

Business & Corporate Services provided:

• Entity Solutions:
  Entity establishment, Corporate secretarial & directorship services, Domicile services, Dormancy/Liquidation
• HR Solutions:
  Global recruitment, Employer of Record (EOR), Agent of Record (AOR), Global benefits, Global payroll, International HR Consulting
• Finance Solutions:
  Accounting & Tax

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