Payroll Expert (All genders welcome)

Join the movement and find new inspiration.

We have an exciting opportunity for you as:

(Assistant Manager) Payroll Expert (all genders welcome)in the People & Organization (P&O) department at the Kia Europe Headquarters in Frankfurt/Main, Germany.

This position is also available on a part-time basis.

Job Mission:

As an Payroll Expert, you will take ownership of payroll-related processes and ensure their smooth execution in compliance with German labor, tax, and social security regulations. You will act as a key interface between the external payroll provider, internal stakeholders, and employees, ensuring high-quality service and operational excellence. In close collaboration with P&O Business Partners, you will contribute to the continuous development of P&O processes and support the organization in building an effective and employee-oriented environment. You will play an active role in daily operations and be the key contact for budget related topics within your area.

Your Responsibilities:

• Take ownership of the payroll function for Kia Europe GmbH in collaboration with an external payroll provider, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely execution.

• Act as the main point of contact for payroll-related matters, both internally and externally (e.g. employees, provider, authorities, auditors).

• Ensure excellent employee service by managing and resolving complex inquiries related to payroll, time tracking, pension schemes, parental leave, and other P&O-related topics.

• Monitor and ensure compliance with all statutory requirements (tax, social security, and other regulatory obligations), including accurate and timely payments to authorities and service providers.

• Drive and further develop payroll-related processes, systems, and projects, identifying opportunities for improvement and increased efficiency.

• Oversee reporting, preparation of employment-related certificates, and communication with external stakeholders such as health insurance providers and authorities.

• Support and coordinate monthly and annual closing activities and act as a key contact during audits and inspections.

• Support and partially steer recruitment processes, acting as a key contact for candidates and ensuring a smooth candidate experience.

• P&O budget planning, tracking and executing, ensuring transparency and effective cost management in SAP.

Your Talents:

• Fluent German and English (written and spoken), additional languages advantageous.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources/Business or the equivalent in related work experience.

• Several years of professional experience in payroll, operations, or a comparable function, ideally within an international environment.

• Solid knowledge of German payroll, tax, labor law, and social security regulations.

• Proven experience working with external payroll providers, including coordination, validation, and quality assurance of payroll outputs.

• Strong understanding of end-to-end payroll processes, including interfaces to finance, time tracking, and benefits administration.

• Experience in handling audits, reporting requirements, and communication with authorities, health insurance providers, and other external stakeholders.

• Confident handling of HRM systems (e.g. Workday or comparable) and very good Excel skills for payroll-related analysis and reporting.

• High level of accuracy, reliability, and sense of responsibility when dealing with sensitive employee data.

• Strong service orientation and ability to manage and resolve complex employee inquiries in a structured and solution-oriented manner.

• Ability to work independently, prioritize effectively, and take ownership of topics, even in a part-time role.

• Team-oriented mindset with the ability to collaborate across functions and act as an interface between payroll, P&O, Finance, and external partners.

Who are we?

At Kia, we are a global mobility brand with more than 75 years of experience. Since our founding in 1944, we have grown from manufacturing bicycles, motorcycles and cars to becoming a provider of mobility solutions, always guided by the changing needs of our customers.

Today, we continue to expand our portfolio of electrified and battery electric vehicles while developing new mobility services. Guided by our brand slogan, Movement that Inspires, we are exploring new ways to make mobility more convenient and relevant for people’s everyday lives. Through continuous innovation and a customer-centric approach, we aim to create products and services that inspire new possibilities and meaningful connections.

As the European sales and manufacturing arm of Kia Corporation, we support 39 markets across Europe and the Caucasus from our headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany. Together, we are more than 5,500 colleagues, including around 3,500 team members at our manufacturing facility in Žilina, Slovakia.

At our European headquarters, more than 50 nationalities work side by side, bringing different perspectives, experiences and ideas. This diversity is one of our strengths and contributes to the way we work, learn, and grow together. Every day brings opportunities to collaborate, develop new skills, and contribute to our shared success.

If you are looking for an environment where curiosity, collaboration, and continuous learning are valued, we would love to hear from you. Join us and be part of the movement that inspires.

You will enjoy working with us if you like these things:

• A pulsating international environment. Our workforce is composed of people from more than 40 nations

• Playing an active and important part in the development of Kia in Europe.

• Developing new frameworks and solutions

• Demanding challenges to which you can creatively contribute

• A competitive compensation package; private leasing offer; systematic off and on-the-job training, free staff restaurant, support as concerns Health Management and more

If you’re interested to become part of our Kia team, please apply via our online portal. We are looking forward to getting to know you.