Global Payroll Operations Partner (m/f/d)

About Appinio

Appinio is a global market research company that blends an AI-driven insights platform with specialist consulting. Its goal is to help organizations make more evidence-based decisions by understanding how consumers think. Founded in Hamburg in 2014, the company now operates remotely across 13 countries, with more than 260 employees, 2,600+ international clients, and research coverage in over 190 markets.

The company emphasizes transparency in recruitment and shares what candidates can expect during the hiring journey through a blog resource.

Role overview

Appinio is seeking a proactive, tech-focused Global Payroll Operations Partner to join the People Team and support a reliable global payroll setup. The role is responsible for making sure the end-to-end preparatory payroll process across international entities runs smoothly, follows local legal requirements and deadlines, and delivers a high-quality employee experience. A key part of the position is improving systems and workflows so payroll operations can scale with the business.

Team context

The People Team works with a product-oriented approach, placing strong value on transparency, collaboration, and partnership with internal stakeholders. The team focuses on understanding needs, encouraging adoption, and building practical solutions that improve the employee experience.

Key responsibilities

• Own the preparatory payroll cycle for all international entities, including Germany, Austria, France, Spain, Portugal, the UK, and the Netherlands, while keeping accuracy and timeliness front and center.
• Act as the main contact for external payroll vendors, the EOR provider (Remote), and the US PEO, managing payroll compliance matters and responding to statutory questions carefully and accurately.
• Handle payroll support requests from employees, providing fast, empathetic, and knowledgeable responses.
• Spot process gaps and introduce automation to reduce manual work and make payroll operations more scalable.
• Work with RevOps on the correct and timely calculation of commissions and performance-based bonus payments.
• Support Finance with personnel cost reporting, audit preparation, and workforce planning analysis.
• Collaborate with Finance and Legal on international grant and subsidy applications by supplying personnel information, salary records, and compliance documentation such as R&D tax credit or local employment grant materials.

Candidate profile

The ideal candidate brings payroll expertise, process improvement skills, and a service-first mindset. You should be comfortable working in a fast-moving, scaling environment and take full ownership of payroll being transparent, compliant, and ready for audit review.

Additional role details

This position reports directly to the Team Lead Talent Acquisition & People Operations.

Application process

• Introductory call with a Talent Acquisition Partner
• Interview with the Team Lead Talent Acquisition & People Operations
• Case study interview with senior People Team members
• Reference checks
• Executive interview with C-level leadership
• Offer stage

Important notes

Applications must be submitted in English. The company encourages candidates to apply even if they match around 80% of the requirements, provided they are genuinely excited about the role. Appinio is an equal-opportunity employer and considers all applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status.

Work flexibility and benefits

The company offers a flexible vacation policy with no hard limit on days off. EU-based employees may work from outside their country of residence for up to 180 days per year. Employees receive all necessary hardware, including a MacBook. Those based in Hamburg or Berlin receive either a Deutschland ticket or access to a mobility budget through the NAVIT app. Depending on location, subsidised Urban Sports Club or ClassPass membership is available. In selected cities such as Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, London, Madrid, Barcelona, and New York, access to co-working spaces may also be provided.

Qualifications and experience

You should have at least 3 years of experience handling preparatory payroll for Germany. Experience with preparatory payroll in France and/or Spain is also required, along with a solid understanding of statutory rules; exposure to Austria, the UK, the Netherlands, the US, or Portugal is considered an advantage. Prior experience managing external payroll providers is expected, and familiarity with EOR and PEO arrangements is a plus. Strong Excel or Google Sheets skills, analytical thinking, and the ability to explain payroll and tax topics clearly and patiently are important. Fluency in both English and German, spoken and written, is required.

Eligibility

Candidates should be comfortable working in a remote-first, international environment and submitting their application in English. The company welcomes applicants who feel they are a strong partial fit and are motivated by the opportunity to grow into the role.