Senior Payroll Implementation Manager (Germany) – 2-Year Contract
Role Overview
Lead the implementation and transformation of payroll operations in Germany as part of a global payroll modernization programme. Responsible for delivering an ADP GlobalView implementation, Workday-to-payroll integrations, and payroll transformation initiatives while ensuring compliance with German statutory requirements.
Act as the key liaison between Payroll, HR, Finance, IT, ADP, and implementation partners, driving project delivery, governance, stakeholder engagement, and operational readiness.
Key Responsibilities
Payroll Implementation & Transformation
* Lead the end-to-end ADP GlobalView implementation for Germany.
* Manage Workday HCM integrations, ensuring accurate data flows and efficient payroll processing.
* Drive payroll standardisation, optimisation, and transformation initiatives.
* Oversee all project phases from design through testing, deployment, hypercare, and BAU transition.
* Deliver projects within scope, budget, timeline, and quality expectations.
Project Governance & Systems
* Manage project plans, RAID logs, governance, reporting, and implementation roadmaps.
* Lead risk, issue, dependency, and change management activities.
* Gather requirements, oversee solution design, data mapping, integrations, UAT, parallel runs, and reconciliations.
* Ensure effective data governance, controls, reporting, automation, and system optimisation.
Compliance & Stakeholder Management
* Ensure compliance with German payroll, tax, social security, labour law, and statutory reporting requirements.
* Implement payroll controls, governance standards, and audit requirements.
* Manage relationships with Payroll, HR, Finance, IT, Legal, ADP, and external vendors.
* Oversee vendor performance, issue resolution, change management, training, and knowledge transfer.
Additional Responsibilities
* Support operational readiness and BAU transition.
* Facilitate workshops, process design sessions, and solution reviews.
* Provide payroll transformation and integration expertise as required.
Required Qualifications
* Bachelors degree or equivalent experience.
* 8+ years experience in payroll implementation, transformation, or global payroll project management.
* Proven ADP GlobalView implementation experience.
* Extensive Workday HCM payroll integration experience.
* Strong knowledge of German payroll legislation, tax, social insurance, and compliance requirements.
* Experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder projects.
* Strong project management, governance, risk management, analytical, and stakeholder management skills.
Preferred Experience
* ADP GlobalView implementation experience in Germany.
* Workday Payroll, Workday Studio, EIBs, and payroll integration expertise.
* Time & Attendance/workforce management systems experience.
* Experience in multinational or matrix organisations.
* ServiceNow knowledge.
* PMP, Prince2, Agile, or equivalent certification.
* Experience supporting payroll implementations across EMEA.
Languages
* Fluent English (required).
* German (highly desirable).
* Additional European languages advantageous.
Contract Details
* Duration: 24 months
* Location: Germany / Hybrid
* Travel: Occasional European travel
* Hours: Flexibility to support global stakeholders across multiple time zones