SlipstreamJobs tracks this role from the company's public career site. Apply directly on the employer's site.
FlixBus is seeking a Team Lead Payroll to take holistic ownership of the company's European payroll landscape. You will lead the build-out of a centralized payroll function, bringing expertise in-house, harmonizing processes across markets, mitigating compliance risks, and establishing a robust payroll setup across Europe with Germany as the operational anchor.
In this role, you will hold disciplinary line management responsibility for the German payroll team, covering hiring, development, performance management, and day-to-day steering. You will also provide functional leadership to local People Operations Managers across other European countries, guiding them on payroll-related matters and serving as the primary interface between HR, Finance, Controlling, and Compliance.
Key responsibilities include:
- Taking full end-to-end responsibility for preliminary payroll processes across Europe, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance
- Owning internal and external payroll audits and implementing robust compliance frameworks
- Serving as the internal subject matter expert for complex payroll, income tax, and social security cases
- Evaluating, steering, and optimizing relationships with external payroll providers and consultancies
- Driving digitalization of payroll processes, assessing the current tech stack, optimizing HRIS integrations, and automating manual workflows
- Translating complex payroll data into clear financial language for stakeholders
FlixBus is undergoing significant digital transformation of its HR function with AI as a central component. You do not need deep AI expertise but should be genuinely interested in exploring automation and AI-driven approaches for payroll operations and willing to grow in that direction with the company.
The company offers a dynamic work environment with competitive pay, strong growth opportunities, and a tech-driven approach. Benefits include 12 free Flix vouchers plus 12 discount vouchers, work-from-anywhere flexibility (up to 60 days per year), hybrid work model, wellbeing support, learning and development opportunities, and a mentoring program.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Substantial experience in payroll management within a fast-paced, international environment
- Deep, hands-on knowledge of German payroll, including income tax (Lohnsteuer) and social security (Sozialversicherung)
- Experience orchestrating multi-country payrolls across Europe
- Proven experience leading a team with disciplinary responsibility
- Collaborative leadership style that builds trust with decentralized teams and leads through influence and expertise
- Comfortable with HR and Finance technology; genuine curiosity about automation and AI for payroll operations (expertise not required)
- Ability to explain complex payroll topics clearly to Finance, Legal, and senior leadership
- Fluent in English and German
- Problem-solving mindset and hands-on mentality; willing to get into detail and roll up sleeves when needed
