Payroll Specialist

Job Description

At Maersk, we have a vision larger than the ocean: to be a true integrator of container logistics connecting and simplifying our customers’ supply chain. We count on our people to make it happen.

Besides focusing on creating value for our customers and the business, a key priority for us is to drive personal and professional development for our people to prepare for further career progression.

We value the diversity of our talent and will always strive to recruit the best person for the job.

We Offer

Energizing and pioneering, this is an environment that keeps you motivated.

You’ll be joining a genuinely diverse and talented team that is truly passionate about providing first class HR partnership to the business. And thanks to our global scale, you’ll be well-placed to explore Maersk opportunities around the world.

The many other highlights include industry-leading talent development initiatives and competitive benefits.

Key Responsibilities

The purpose of the role is to ensure accurate, compliant, well-controlled, and timely payroll delivery for France by driving strong execution, rigorous validation, effective stakeholder coordination, and proactive risk management across the end-to-end payroll process. Key responsibilities include:

• Own and coordinate end-to-end payroll operations for France, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, compliance, and a strong employee experience across pre-payroll, on-cycle, and off-cycle activities.
• Review, validate, and challenge payroll inputs received from HR, Time & Attendance, vendors, and other stakeholders to ensure completeness, accuracy, and alignment with approved data sources and cut-off timelines.
• Prepare and manage payroll input files, adjustments, corrections, and exceptional payments in a controlled and timely manner, ensuring employee impact and compliance implications are fully assessed.
• Perform detailed payroll output validation through control reports, reconciliations, trend analysis, variance checks, and employee-impact assessments before payroll sign-off and pay release.
• Conduct root cause analysis on payroll errors, service failures, and recurring issues, and support the implementation of corrective and preventive actions to improve payroll quality and stability.
• Coordinate with payroll vendors and relevant internal People Function teams to ensure service delivery meets agreed timelines, quality standards, and statutory obligations, escalating risks and service failures where required.
• Manage the timely execution and submission of payroll controls, including RICC and other internal control requirements, with clear follow-up on identified gaps or exceptions.
• Partner closely with People Function, Finance, Rewards, Leaders, and external providers to clarify requirements, resolve issues, and improve ways of working across the payroll ecosystem in a collaborative and solution-oriented manner.
• Monitor payroll KPIs, service quality trends, and recurring pain points, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives aimed at strengthening payroll accuracy, control effectiveness, and service resilience.
• Ensure payroll processes are executed in line with approved systems, governance standards, and data ownership principles, supporting consistency between payroll operations and the system of record, Workday.
• Support internal and external audits by preparing accurate payroll documentation, control evidence, and timely clarifications, ensuring transparency and traceability across the payroll process.
• Contribute to process stabilization, knowledge retention, and operational continuity by documenting procedures, supporting cross-training, and reducing dependency on single points of failure.

Who we are looking for

• Solid hands-on experience in managing Payroll and Time & Attendance processes within a complex international organization, including a good understanding of French payroll requirements and Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).
• Experience working within an outsourced payroll model, with the ability to manage service delivery effectively and work constructively with external providers.
• Broader HR Operations experience would be an advantage, particularly in environments requiring close coordination across multiple stakeholders and processes.
• Ability to approach existing processes with a critical and open mindset, identifying opportunities for improvement and remaining receptive to change.
• Strong stakeholder management and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage, influence, negotiate, and build alignment across diverse local and regional stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate with clarity and confidence, and to challenge or convince others in a constructive, respectful, and solution-oriented manner.
• Flexibility and adaptability to operate in a dynamic and evolving environment, taking ownership and maintaining direction with limited guidance when needed.
• Resilience and professionalism in managing uncertainty, setbacks, and changing priorities while remaining focused and effective.
• Collaborative working style, fostering cooperation, trust, and teamwork to achieve sustainable solutions.
• Highly analytical approach with strong attention to detail and a disciplined mindset toward controls, accuracy, and follow-through.
• Structured working style with a strong focus on execution, quality, and delivery within agreed timelines and scope.
• Strong Excel and data management skills are essential. A practical Excel assessment may be conducted as part of the selection process;
• Fluency in French is essential and reasonable communication skills in English.

Maersk is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we embrace different styles of thinking. Maersk is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants without regard to race, colour, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy or parental leave, veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with all legal requirements.

We are happy to support your need for any adjustments during the application and hiring process. If you need special assistance or an accommodation to use our website, apply for a position, or to perform a job, please contact us by emailing accommodationrequests@maersk.com.