Team Lead Payroll EMEA (German Speaker)

Use Your Power for Purpose

At Pfizer, we believe that every team member has the power to make a significant impact on improving patients' lives. You will be at the forefront of our Finance division, driving initiatives that support our mission to deliver breakthroughs that change patients' lives. Your critical contributions in financial operations help streamline processes, enhance productivity, and support the seamless delivery of our life-saving products to patients worldwide.

Role summary

The Payroll Team Lead is responsible for delivering operations of the payroll processes at high quality standards in line with key objectives and agreed service level. With a strong focus on service delivery, process improvement, and data confidentiality, the Payroll Team Lead plays a critical role in ensuring a timely, accurate, and compliant payroll. This role prepares and consolidates reports for stakeholders, analyzes and addresses audit findings, reconciles and resolves complex payroll processing and colleague payroll issues.

The Payroll Team Lead implements payroll best practices according to industry and company standards taking into consideration accounting standards, internal controls, and regional policies. The role leverages technological platforms to bring effectiveness and efficiency to the operation.

This role is accountable for ensuring proper controls are in place, escalating issues appropriately, and maintaining effective communication with key stakeholders. Acting as a key operational leader, the Payroll Team Lead supports, guides, and develops payroll team members and drives team performance by monitoring key metrics and KPIs.

This role will promote Pfizer’s Purpose, Values, and the GBS culture by engaging and leading a team of qualified and diverse CS colleagues.

Role Responsibilities

• Execute activities associated with the assigned payroll processes which include but are not limited to:

• Ensure that all Payroll inputs for the payroll cycle are performed timely and accurately by managing day-to-day operational activities and deliverables

• Ensures annual and year-end activities are planned proactively and executed timely

• Support data collection for payroll audits and compliance checks

• Ensure efficient training and handover of activities to other/new team members

• Review payroll controls and ensures that payroll is compliant with regulatory and company standards (e.g., SOP, SOX Controls)

• Maintain up to date knowledge of the regulatory framework and ensure any new regulations are implemented timely   

• May be responsible for regular execution or back-up of an assigned payroll depending on the requirements of the markets under responsibility of the extended team

• Implement new payroll controls, procedures and policies as needed  

• Identify and implement process improvement, automation opportunities and transformational projects

• Coordinate with other departments on payroll-related matters  

• Support developmental opportunities and training for direct reports 

• Manage performance of direct reports through goal setting, assessment, feedback and coaching  

• Build effective working relationships with key stakeholders (PX, Finance, Incentives Team, Payroll Vendors etc.) 

• Monitor and report on payroll metrics and KPIs (such as Payroll Accuracy Tracker (PAT), Service Now cases, Volume tracker) 

• Act as first level escalation point to resolve complex Time & Attendance related payroll issues or report to the next management level 

• Ensure active participation at Service Delivery calls and drive issue resolution  

• Ensure documentation such as work instructions (WI) or standard operating procedures (SOPs) are up to date.

• Review and certify payroll signoffs relating to all payroll inputs, audits, files, compliance and other related payroll documents, where part of scope

• Assess technology requirements and changes and ensure that systematic updates are completed by the vendor in a timely and complete manner, where part of scope

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting or related field required.

• 3+ years’ experience in payroll, accounting or Finance

• In-depth knowledge and experience of payroll calculation and processing

• Ability to maintain strict privacy and confidentiality

• Attention to detail and accuracy

• Problem analysis and problem-solving skills

• Able to communicate effectively in English (spoken & written) with colleagues at all levels of the organization

• German language skills are required to independently manage German tax and audit matters; equivalent experience will also be considered. Daily use of German is expected, including within the SAP Payroll system

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business or related field

• Experience with multi-state or international payroll

• Familiarity with Works Council, union or collective bargaining payroll processes

• Experience in management of a team

• Experience with Workday, ADP, Service Now, SAP, payroll and time/attendance systems

• Certified Payroll Professional, or similar professional designation

• Knowledge of compliance standards such as GDPR, SOX, and local labor laws

• Ability to speak multiple (additional) languages is a plus

Work Location Assignment: Hybrid

Please apply by sending your CV and a motivational letter in English


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Finance & Accounting