Lead Payroll Services Consultant

e is responsible for providing deep hands-on & end-to-end expertise across the full payroll lifecycle-from onboarding new German payrolls to supporting live payroll operations-while also enabling the successful setup and scaling of a remote in-house payroll processing team. Although not a direct people manager, the role has a high degree of influence and accountability, serving as a trusted advisor, trainer, and escalation point for German payroll matters. This is a high-impact, senior role designed to operate at both strategic and execution levels.
Operating with a strong understanding of German payroll legislation and multiple payroll engines, this position partners closely with Product team, Customer Success, Implementation, and Leadership teams to ensure accurate, compliant, and scalable payroll delivery.Key Responsibilities
German Payroll Operations & Expertise
• Act as the primary SME for German payroll, providing expert guidance across the end-to-end payroll lifecycle.
• Support onboarding of new German payrolls, including parallel runs, go-lives, and stabilization. Onboarding can be managed either through In-Country-Partner (ICP) model or In-House processed payrolls
• Provide ongoing expertise for live payroll processing, complex cases, escalations, year-enд activities, regulatory changes and audits.
• Resolve high-risk, escalated payroll issues with accuracy and authority.
• Interpret and translate legislative updates into practical payroll solutions and controls
• Ensure payroll processing aligns with German statutory, tax, and social security requirements.Payroll Engines Implementation and ongoing maintenance
• Support payrolthe setup, implementation, and operational readiness of new German payroll engines
• Collaborate with internal and external technical teams to resolve payroll system issues.Training & Capability Enablement
• Design, organize, and/or personally deliver German payroll training for payroll professionals.
• Support the setup and enablement of a Germany-focused payroll processing team based overseas, acting as the primary knowledge anchor.
• Develop and maintain training materials, documentation, and process guides.
• Deliver on-site training sessions when required; travel is expected.SME & Advisory Support
• Serve as a trusted advisor to internal stakeholders on German payroll-related matters.
• Advise on payroll process design, risk mitigation, and operational readiness.Cross-Functional Collaboration & Continuous Improvement
• Partner with Payroll Operations, Customer Success, Implementation, Platform Support, and other stakeholders to ensure high-quality payroll delivery.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives focused on payroll accuracy, efficiency, and scalability.
• Influence decisions and outcomes through expertise and insight rather than formal authority.Qualifications
Required
• Extensive (5+ years) hands-on experience with German payroll, including end-to-end payroll processing.
• Proven experience onboarding and running multiple German payrolls.
• Experience implementing and getting operational German Payroll Engine.
• Experience working with different German payroll engines.
• Strong knowledge of German payroll legislation, tax, and social security requirements.
• Fluent in German & Strong English language proficiency (written and verbal).
• Demonstrated ability to operate independently and act as an SME in a complex operational environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a high attention to detail
• Experience working in a global or multi-country payroll environment.
• Ability to communicate confidently with senior stakeholders and external authorities.Preferred
• German payroll certification
• Experience delivering or coordinating payroll training and knowledge transfer.
• Experience supporting offshore or remote payroll teams.Professional Competencies (P4 Level)
• Recognized subject matter expert within the payroll domain.
• Operates independently with limited supervision.
• Influences outcomes without direct people management responsibility.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Comfortable working across geographies, cultures, and functions.

Company Overview:

UKG is the Workforce Operating Platform that puts workforce understanding to work. With the world's largest collection of workforce insights, and people-first AI, our ability to reveal unseen ways to build trust, amplify productivity, and empower talent, is unmatched. It's this expertise that equips our customers with the intelligence to solve any challenge in any industry - because great organizations know their workforce is their competitive edge. Learn more at ukg.com.

UKG is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace, including the recruitment process.

Disability Accommodation in the Application and Interview Process

For individuals with disabilities that need additional assistance at any point in the application and interview process, please email [email protected]

The pay range for this position is €68,970 to €93,105. The actual base pay offered may vary depending on skills, experience, job-related knowledge and work location. In addition to base pay, employees may be eligible to participate in a performance-based bonus plan and to receive restricted stock unit awards as part of total compensation. Learn more about UKG's benefits and rewards at https://https://www.ukg.com/about-us/careers/benefits