Job Description

Our Support Functions deliver services and make recommendations about ways to enhance our workplace and our organization's culture. They include HR, Finance, Information Technology, Legal, Procurement, Administration, Facilities, and Security. 

Our company is a global healthcare leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal health products. The difference between potential and achievement lies in the spark that fuels innovation and inventiveness; this is the space where our company has codified its 130-year legacy. Our success is backed by ethical integrity, forward momentum, and an inspiring mission to achieve new milestones in global healthcare. 

We know that our people are the key to our success, which is why our Human Resources team works to attract, develop, retain and inspire our people so that they can learn, grow and make a true impact on the world. Together, we collaborate to create a culturally rich, diverse organization, ensuring we remain innovative and agile. 

The role initially will be responsible for managing AT& CH markets, with an extension to more markets and an increase in scope in the future. You will join a regional team reporting directly to the EMEA Payroll Lead, with the role located in our Prague office.  

The Payroll Lead will contribute to the Payroll strategy, supporting the structure of the function and the way Payroll services are delivered. Furthermore, they will play an essential role in providing significant value to the entire organisation by ensuring state-of-the-art Payroll processing, operational excellence, and regulatory compliance while acting as a liaison to multiple internal stakeholders including HR, Finance, and treasury, particularly on a country-specific level. 

The Payroll Lead must demonstrate a continuous improvement mindset, solve issues with a sense of urgency and identify the root cause. They must also have experience and passion for leading a team to successful results with an inclusive team ethic and driving changes.

This is a hybrid, full-time and permanent role.

Responsibilities: 

Lead and manage a team delivering payroll work across multiple countries and entities, manage work to set service level agreements, and ensure consistent processes across the markets

Working closely with external payroll providers and internal HR teams, you will define and lead consistent and compliant end-to-end delivery of Payroll services and operations at all sites 

Ensure accuracy and productivity of the payroll functions, including payroll vendor relations, internal control monitoring, developing and maintaining high-quality efficiency standards 

Lead the development and implementation of payroll policies, procedures and internal controls 

Full management of budget and P&L for HR Operations in markets of responsibility  

Partner with HR team to ensure complete alignment to priorities and delivery of HR services across the HR portfolio 

Lead process improvement, and automation efforts to standardise payroll processes across markets, leverage best practices, and reduce complexity 

Collaborate closely with all relevant parties, i.e., the EMEA HR Service Delivery organisation, HRBPs and HR Centers of Excellence, Works Councils, etc. 

Change management 

Qualifications and skills  

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business or Accounting or another relevant Payroll qualification; in lieu of a degree, the equivalent in experience would be required 

Previous management experience in a complex multinational business environment, focusing on international payroll for multiple entities  

Experience in Service Delivery (HR or Finance), including SLA management, customer management and issue escalation, would be of advantageous  

Previous people management experience is required 

Knowledge of all aspects of Payroll – including equity-based compensation, Expats, Commuters and Employee Share Purchase plans 

Knowledge and understanding of relevant labor, social and fiscal legislation (Local) 

Demonstrated technical expertise in the automated systems and processes in designated areas of responsibility 

Excellent planning and organisational skills to balance and prioritise work 

Proven ability to maintain confidentiality, strong personal integrity 

Well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills 

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, ability to communicate relevant information to all levels of the organization 

Strong listening & comprehension skills 

Fluent in English & German (written and spoken); other European languages would be an advantage 

What we offer:

Exciting work in a great team, global projects, international environment

Opportunity to learn and grow professionally within the company globally

Hybrid working model, flexible role pattern

Pension and health insurance contributions

Internal reward system plus referral program

5 weeks annual leave, 5 sick days, 15 days of certified sick leave paid above statutory requirements annually, 40 paid hours annually for volunteering activities, 12 weeks of parental contribution

Cafeteria for tax free benefits according to your choice (meal vouchers, Lítačka, sport, culture, health, travel, etc.), Multisport Card

Vodafone, Raiffeisen Bank, Foodora, and Mall.cz discount programs

Up-to-date laptop and iPhone

Parking in the garage, showers, refreshments, massage chairs, library, music corner

Competitive salary, incentive pay, and many more

Our Support Functions deliver services and make recommendations about ways to enhance our workplace and the culture of our organization. Our Support Functions include HR, Finance, Information Technology, Legal, Procurement, Administration, Facilities and Security.

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully 
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.  No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. 

Employee Status:

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

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*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

Requisition ID:R345356