Senior Payroll Specialist (Germany) - Oyster

About Oyster

Oyster is building a global employment platform that empowers companies to hire, pay, and care for brilliant people anywhere in the world. We believe that talent is universal and that the best jobs shouldn't be limited by geography. As a remote-first company distributed across 60+ countries, we've achieved significant recognition, including being ranked #10 on TIME's list of America's Top WorkTech Companies and named a Newsweek America's Greatest Startup Workplace.

Role Summary

Oyster is seeking a Senior Payroll Specialist to be our lead in-house payroll expert for Germany. This role offers significant ownership and the opportunity to build best-in-class payroll standards at scale. You will be responsible for managing the entire German payroll cycle end-to-end, developing scalable workflows in DATEV, and setting the standard for payroll operations.

Core Responsibilities

• End-to-End Payroll Execution: Own and manage the complete native German payroll cycle, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timeliness.
• Master Data Management: Oversee the validation of employee payroll master data, including new hires, terminations, salary changes, benefits, and garnishments.
• Payroll Controls & Quality Assurance: Conduct rigorous pre- and post-payroll validations, investigate discrepancies, and implement corrective actions.
• Statutory Filings & Access Management: Manage all statutory filings (Lohnsteueranmeldung, SV-Meldungen, Jahresmeldung), reimbursement claims, and ELStAM data retrieval. Set up and maintain required government accesses.
• Payroll System Ownership: Configure, maintain, and test the in-house payroll system, troubleshoot issues, and collaborate with the Product team for automation and scalability improvements.
• Subject Matter Expertise: Provide expert advice on German wage tax, social insurance, labor law, and collective agreement interpretations.
• Financial Reconciliation: Oversee payroll journals, General Ledger mappings, and reconciliations with the Finance team.
• Complex Escalation Handling: Serve as the primary point of contact for complex client payroll issues, delivering a customer-first experience.
• Reporting: Prepare statutory and ad-hoc reports, including those for EU Pay Transparency Directive, Betriebsrat assessments, and GDPR compliance.
• Audit Support: Provide structured data and documentation for internal and external audits.
• Team Development: Improve processes, mentor junior specialists, and maintain a comprehensive knowledge base (playbooks, SOPs).

Minimum Requirements

• 5+ years of experience running the complete native German payroll process independently, handling a high volume of payslips.
• German language proficiency at C1/C2 level and fluent English.
• Advanced, hands-on DATEV experience is essential.
• Deep, current knowledge of German wage tax, social insurance, and labor law, with the confidence to advise stakeholders.
• Experience handling complex, sensitive client escalations with a customer-first approach.
• Analytical and productivity-focused mindset, with a passion for building and optimizing processes.
• Comfort operating in ambiguity and driving cross-functional change.
• Experience coaching or mentoring less experienced colleagues.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, remote-first, and largely asynchronous environment.

Desirable Skills

• Completed Kaufmännische Ausbildung or Lohnbuchhalter qualification.
• Broader accounting background (e.g., Bilanzbuchhalter).
• Proven experience with cross-functional HR/Payroll projects.
• Experience leveraging AI tools for payroll optimization.
• Strong data transformation and analytics skills.

How We Work Together

Oyster operates under a set of guiding values: Make it happen, Drive change, Build and give trust, and Move as one united team. Our mission is to create a more equal world of work, and we embrace asynchronous, collaborative work. Learn more about our operations in the Oyster Public HQ.

Your Experience at Oyster

• Work from anywhere: Work remotely as long as you are authorized to work where you live and can meet business needs.
• Paid time off: 40 days off per year (including holidays and vacation), or more if required by local law.
• Mental health support: Access to Plumm, our mental well-being service.
• Wellbeing allowance: Monthly allowance via ThanksBen wallet.
• Flexible parental leave: At least three months' paid leave for all new parents.
• WFH stipend: For laptop and home office equipment.

Oyster is committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact jobs@oysterhr.com. Please be aware of potential scams; Oyster will only contact you from an @oysterhr.com email address and will never ask for money.