Payroll Specialist (m/w/d)

Are you a Payroll Specialist (m/w/d) looking for your next challenge in a fast-paced, international environment? Join our client, a premier research‑intensive biopharmaceutical company, and play a key role in ensuring efficient, accurate, and high-quality payroll operations.

In this role, you will collaborate closely with cross‑functional teams - including HRSC, Tax, Finance, and HR supporting payroll-related inquiries and partnering with the Payroll Lead as part of a regional team. You will contribute to shaping the Payroll function, enhancing service delivery, and ensuring seamless end‑to‑end payroll processes across the sub‑region.

As a Payroll Specialist, you will add significant value by driving operational excellence, ensuring full regulatory compliance, and acting as a trusted liaison for multiple internal stakeholders. Across all activities, you bring a continuous improvement mindset, focusing on root‑cause resolution and demonstrating a strong commitment to delivering results through collaboration and an inclusive team ethic.

Responsibilities:

• Independently delivering timely and accurate payroll for multiple assigned entities in compliance with local laws and regulations.
• Inputting data into databases and spreadsheets.
• Monitoring standard personnel and salary changes.
• Processing expats and commuters in coordination with Global Mobility and external providers.
• Managing all payroll controls for SOX and other audits.
• Compiling all necessary approvals for bank payments.
• Contributing to the development and implementation of payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Responding to all internal and external inquiries related to payroll issues, social insurance, and taxation.
• Contributing to efforts to standardize and improve Payroll & Benefits Administration processes across sites, leveraging best practices and reducing complexity.
• Collaborating closely with all relevant parties, including the EMEA HR Service Delivery organization, HR Business Partners, and HR Centers of Excellence.
• Supporting payroll peers with documentation of payroll systems, process optimization, and continuous improvement.
• Participating in projects and working groups.
• Payroll Reporting: Assist in generating accurate payroll reports, such as earnings statements, tax reports, and other payroll-related reports. Collaborate with the HR Shared Service team to distribute reports to employees and stakeholders as required.
• Continuous Learning: Staying updated on payroll best practices, emerging trends, and technology solutions. Attend training sessions and webinars to enhance knowledge of payroll processes, compliance requirements, and software updates.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business or Accounting or another relevant Payroll qualification; in lieu of a degree
• At least 3 years of experience in a multinational business environment, with focus on Payroll for multiple entities. Experience in HR is a plus
• Experience with payroll processing with outsourced provider models (ADP, Celergo etc.) and working with HR systems (Workday, SAP)
• Excellent planning and organizational skills, ability to balance and prioritize work
• Proven ability to maintain confidentiality, strong personal integrity
• Demonstrated ability to work in (international) teams and collaborate / partner effectively at all levels across the organization.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, ability to communicate relevant information to all levels of the organization, fluent in English required (written and spoken), German desired

Additional information:

• Contract duration: 01/03/2026 bis 01/03/2027
• Temporary contract with an option for the extension
• Location: Luzern
• Home Office: Yes, hybrid

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