Payroll Specialist

We Offer

At Maersk we have a vision that's larger than the ocean: to be a true integrator of container logistics connecting and simplifying our customers' supply chain through global end-to-end solutions. We count on our people to make it happen. That is why we are building a new global HR service enabled by new technology: to make sure we deliver great experience to our people, so they can deliver great experience to our customers.

The HR organization of the Future will work across brands, geographies and cultures to support one global Maersk. Next to the Centers of Expertise (CoE) and the strategic HR Business Partners, the People Partnering Organization is the largest part of the new HR organization and the closest to our people. To enable our future HR service delivery model, we are establishing three People Partnering Hubs covering geographical regions: Bangalore, India, covering Asia Pacific; Lisbon, Portugal, covering Europe & Africa; and San José, Costa Rica, covering the Americas.

We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled Senior Payroll Specialist to join our Payroll, Time & Attendance team in Germany. In this senior position, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our payroll operations — including the transition to a new HR service delivery model, the global Workday implementation, and the harmonization of payroll processes across Europe & Africa.

You will serve as a subject matter expert for German payroll, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency, while driving process improvement and supporting key transformation projects.

Key Responsibilities

The purpose of the role is to support the regional payroll organization, working with a matrixed group of stakeholders and vendors to ensure great employee experience and regulatory compliance from a payroll delivery perspective.

• Manage the end-to-end payroll process for Germany, Austria and Switzerland, ensuring full legal and regulatory compliance
• Manage all payroll cycles (pre-payroll, on-cycle, off-cycle) and ensure data integrity and timely delivery
• Act as a key point of contact for payroll vendors and internal stakeholders, managing SLAs and performance metrics
• Perform detailed validation of payroll results and approve final payments in alignment with control reports
• Oversee annual payroll reconciliations, audits, and year-end processes
• Ensure accurate and timely social insurance and tax reporting and payments
• Contribute to the implementation and optimization of Time & Attendance systems and related integrations
• Drive process improvements and standardization within regional payroll operations, identifying automation and efficiency opportunities
• Partner with Compliance, Audit, and HR functions to ensure adherence to internal controls, legal standards, and company policies
• Lead or support payroll-related projects (e.g., system upgrades, process harmonization, regulatory changes)
• Support and, when required, represent the Payroll Team Lead, providing operational guidance to the team
• Ensure strong communication and collaboration with People Partners and other HR stakeholders to deliver excellent employee experience

Who we are looking for

You are a seasoned payroll professional with deep expertise in German payroll and a passion for improving processes, ensuring compliance, and enabling transformation. You thrive in complex, dynamic environments and are ready to take ownership of regional payroll excellence while contributing to global initiatives.

• 5+ years of hands-on experience managing complex payrolls in Germany (Austria and Swiss experience a plus)
• Proven understanding of German payroll legislation, social security, and tax regulations
• Experience in outsourced payroll environments and vendor management
• Demonstrated success in process improvement, compliance, and internal control frameworks
• Experience with payroll projects or system implementations (Workday experience advantageous)
• Strong analytical mindset with exceptional attention to detail
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and guide others
• Fluent in German and English
• A proactive, structured, and resilient approach, with a commitment to continuous improvement and high-quality service delivery

Why Join Us

This is a unique opportunity to take on a senior, high-impact role in a global organization undergoing major HR transformation. You'll have the chance to shape payroll processes, contribute to strategic projects, and play an important part in ensuring compliance and operational excellence across the region.

Maersk is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we embrace different styles of thinking. Maersk is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants without regard to race, colour, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy or parental leave, veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with all legal requirements.

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