We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Payroll Specialist to join our European Payroll team, with a primary focus on Germany.
In this role, you will be responsible for delivering accurate, compliant, and timely payroll processing while partnering with internal stakeholders and external payroll providers. You will play a key role in ensuring adherence to local regulations, maintaining high service standards, and continuously improving payroll processes.
Role Summary
- Consolidate and validate payroll data from multiple internal systems and stakeholders
- Submit payroll inputs to external payroll service providers accurately and on time
- Review payroll calculations and collaborate with providers to resolve discrepancies
- Generate gross-to-net calculations and net pay reporting
- Coordinate and execute employee net salary payments
- Administer statutory obligations including taxes, social security, pensions, and insurance payments
- Ensure full compliance with audit, regulatory, and internal control requirements
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of local German payroll legislation and regulatory changes
- Communicate legislative updates and payroll impacts to key business stakeholders
- Build strong cross-functional relationships with HR, Finance, Tax, Stock Administration, and Internal Audit teams
- Respond to and resolve employee payroll queries in a timely and professional manner
- Contribute to process improvements, automation initiatives, and payroll-related projects
- Support ad hoc tasks and special assignments as required
Required Experience & Qualifications
- Proven experience in payroll administration, preferably within a multinational or shared services environment
- Solid understanding of German payroll regulations, including taxation, social security, and employment legislation
- Experience working with external payroll vendors and managing end-to-end payroll processes
- Strong Microsoft Excel skills (advanced functions preferred); knowledge of PowerPoint and Access is advantageous
- Experience with ERP/payroll systems (e.g., PeopleSoft or similar) is desirable
- Fluent in German and English (written and verbal)
Work Model
We believe hybrid work is the way forward as we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is a hybrid position requiring X days a week in a client or Cognizant office in city, state. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance though our various wellbeing programs
Core Skills & Competencies
- Strong attention to detail and high level of accuracy
- Excellent organizational and prioritization skills with the ability to meet tight deadlines
- Effective communication and stakeholder management skills
- Collaborative team player with a proactive, solution-oriented mindset
- Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment
- Continuous improvement mindset with a focus on enhancing processes and controls
- Customer-focused approach with a strong service orientation
La Comunidad Cognizant:
Somos un equipo que se aprecia y apoya mutuamente. Nuestros asociados trabajan en un entorno colaborativo e integrador en el que todos pueden prosperar.
- Cognizant es una comunidad global con más de 300.000+ asociados en todo el mundo.
- No solo soñamos con un mundo mejor, sino que trabajamos para hacerlo realidad.
- Cuidamos de nuestros asociados, clientes, socios, comunidades y entorno haciendo lo correcto.
- Fomentamos un entorno innovador en el que puedes desarrollar tu carrera profesional.
Acerca de nosotros
Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) es arquitecto de soluciones de IA y proveedor de servicios tecnológicos que traduce la inversión en inteligencia artificial en valor empresarial real mediante soluciones de IA de stack completo adaptadas a cada cliente. Su profundo conocimiento de la industria, los procesos y la ingeniería le permite integrar el contexto único de cada organización en sistemas tecnológicos que amplifican el potencial humano, generan un impacto real en el negocio y mantienen a las grandes empresas globales un paso adelante en un mundo en constante cambio. Para más información, visita www.cognizant.es o síguenos en @cognizant.
Cognizant es un empleador que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades. Tu solicitud y candidatura no serán consideradas en base a raza, color, sexo, religión, credo, orientación sexual, identidad de género, origen nacional, discapacidad, información genética, embarazo, condición de veterano o cualquier otra característica protegida por las leyes federales, estatales o locales.
Advertencia:
La información sobre remuneración es exacta a la fecha de esta publicación. Cognizant se reserva el derecho a modificar esta información en cualquier momento, sujeto a la legislación aplicable.Es posible que los candidatos deban asistir a entrevistas en persona o por videoconferencia e, incluso, que tengan presentar su documento de identidad vigente, durante cada entrevista.