Senior Payroll & Benefit Operations Specialist (gn)
At a glance
Senior Payroll role at Novo Nordisk. Mainz.
Pay not stated Payroll salary
hrroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Run German payroll from processing through reporting, controls and records, keeping each cycle accurate and on time
- Administer and improve benefits such as occupational pensions and lifetime working-time accounts
- Advise employees, managers and providers on complex German payroll questions and operational processes
- Coordinate payroll audits by supplying records and explanations, involving finance, tax, legal or total rewards as needed
- Improve payroll processes through standardisation and automation, support related projects, and back up a second country
What you bring
- At least five years of payroll work under German rules, ideally in a collectively agreed setting
- A business or economics degree, or an HR specialist qualification
- Knowledge of German social security, tax and employment regulations, plus experience running full payroll cycles with external providers
- Proficiency in English and experience with HR systems, Excel and databases
Who this fits
This senior role suits a German payroll specialist who can handle complex questions, improve processes and work across international teams. You will own Germany's payroll operations and provide backup for a second country. The position is based in Mainz, Germany.
From the employer
Senior Payroll & Benefit Operations Specialist (gn)
Are you ready to own and shape payroll operations for one of the world's most purpose-driven healthcare companies? Step into a role where your expertise in German payroll directly enables thousands of colleagues to focus on what matters most – defeating serious chronic diseases.
Your new role
As Senior Payroll & Benefit Operations Specialist, you will own and coordinate the end-to-end payroll process for Germany, acting as the country's payroll subject matter expert while contributing to regional payroll excellence across EMEA. You will combine deep technical knowledge with a drive for continuous improvement, ensuring our colleagues are paid accurately and on time – every time.
Day-to-day your tasks will include:
- Managing proper payroll processing, reporting, monitoring, controls and documentation in accordance with SOA (Sarbanes-Oxley Act) requirements
- Processing and further developing company and collectively agreed benefits such as occupational pension schemes, lifetime working time accounts and related programmes
- Providing expert guidance on complex German payroll topics to internal stakeholders and external service providers
- Coordinating and communicating with external institutions including authorities, service providers and auditors
- Supporting statutory and internal audits by providing payroll data, documentation and explanations, involving Finance, Tax, Legal or Total Rewards where needed
- Advising employees, managers and internal stakeholders on payroll processes and operational payroll topics
- Driving continuous improvement, standardisation, automation and process documentation while actively contributing to local, regional and global payroll-related projects
- Supporting a second country as backup to ensure operational continuity
Your new department
In People, Organisation & Corporate Affairs, you will be part of a team that enhances employee engagement and attracts top talent to ensure Novo Nordisk remains a premier choice for exceptional individuals. Together, we foster an inclusive workplace culture that empowers individuals to thrive and supports our mission to make a positive impact on people's lives.
Within this area, you will join the Payroll, Time & Benefits (PTB) team – a collaborative group responsible for delivering reliable, compliant and forward-looking payroll services. You will be part of the People Services EMEA and you will work closely as well with global process owners to drive harmonisation and transformation across our payroll landscape. Your expertise will directly strengthen the team's ability to deliver excellence at scale.
Your skills & qualifications
We are looking for a payroll professional who thrives in complexity and is energised by driving operational excellence in an international environment. You will bring:
- A degree in business administration, economics, or an HR specialist qualification (certified HR specialist)
- At least 5 years of professional experience in payroll within the German framework, preferably in a company bound by collective agreements
- Knowledge of relevant German social security, tax and labour law regulations
- Experience managing end-to-end payroll processes and working with external payroll providers; experience in a shared service, regional or international environment is an advantage
- Proficiency in HR IT systems (SAP HR and/or Employee Central is a plus), Excel and databases
- Experience with payroll process improvement, standardisation and automation initiatives
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills in an international setting
- Proficiency in English (written and verbal); an additional language is a plus
- A structured, quality-conscious approach with a continuous improvement mindset and the ability to collaborate across functions and cultures
What We Offer
At Novo Nordisk, you will become part of a global healthcare company with a unique culture and a strong track record of success. We offer continuous learning opportunities, professional development, and benefits tailored to your individual career stage and life situation.
Compensation:
The salary for this position is based on the current collective bargaining agreement for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry in Rhineland-Palatinate (Bezirks-Entgelttarifvertrag). This role is classified at E13K.
Incentives and Benefits:
The compensation package may include short-term and/or long-term performance incentives, as well as additional benefits, depending on the position level, location, functional area, and relevant market benchmarks.
Working at Novo Nordisk
Every day, we strive to find solutions that can defeat serious chronic diseases. We do this with determination, genuine curiosity, and a commitment to continuously finding better ways forward.
For more than 100 years, this ambition has driven us to build a company dedicated to creating lasting change for better long-term health. A company where diverse perspectives, shared goals, and mutual respect come together to achieve extraordinary results.
When you join Novo Nordisk, you are not simply starting a new job. You are becoming part of a story that spans generations.
Application Deadline
October, 28th 2026. Please apply as soon as possible through our online portal, as applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis. We therefore encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity.
The Talent Acquisition team will be in touch with you after your application has been reviewed.
We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.
At Novo Nordisk, we're not chasing quick fixes – we're creating lasting change for long-term health. For over 100 years, we've been driven by a single purpose: to defeat serious chronic diseases and help millions of people live healthier lives. This dedication fuels our constant curiosity and inspires us to push the boundaries of what's possible in healthcare. We embrace diverse perspectives, seek out bold ideas, and build partnerships rooted in shared purpose. Together, we're making healthcare more accessible, treating and preventing diseases, and pioneering solutions that create change spanning generations. When you join us, you become part of something bigger – a legacy of impact that reaches far beyond today.