Regional Payroll Specialist, Europe

Wärtsilä is an innovative technology company known for being a forerunner in the Marine and Energy markets. Every day, we – Wärtsilians - put our hearts and minds into turning Wärtsilä's purpose of enabling sustainable societies through innovation in technology and services into reality. Our ultimate aim is to provide increased value to both our customers and society. New, game-changing ideas and continuous improvement have been part of our DNA since 1834. Together, we can create new business opportunities and more sustainable future that we can all be proud of. 

We want to transition the world towards a decarbonised and sustainable future. By pushing the boundaries of engineering and technology, we can make it work. We are always on the lookout for future-oriented talent – want to join the ride?

We are looking for a Regional Payroll Specialist with a main responsibility in supporting our transformation journey and ultimately overseeing our future payroll processes in Europe. 

The preferred location for this position is Gdansk, Poland but also Budapest, Hungary, Belgrade, Serbia and Esposende, Portugal are negotiable locations. We offer a possibility to hybrid work.

Your role and responsibilities 

As a Regional Payroll Specialist, you'll be the orchestrator of seamless, accurate, and compliant payroll delivery across multiple European countries in our dynamic Managed Payroll Service Model. You'll collaborate closely with both external payroll partners and internal stakeholders, ensuring every detail hits the mark and operational excellence is not just a goal, but a reality.

You will become a key player in Wärtsilä's HR Time and Payroll Transformation journey-a multiyear mission to streamline, automate, and future-proof our payroll operations across Europe. We're not just processing payroll; we're driving the data that powers our business, streamlining operations, and banishing tedious manual tasks-so our teams are free to focus on what truly matters.

Key Responsibilities

Deliver Payroll Excellence and own the Employee Experience:

• Deliver payroll excellence with a digital-first mindset. Use modern tools to provide transparent, timely, and accurate payroll info-no more clunky systems or endless spreadsheets.
• Manage end-to-end payroll processes for assigned European countries in partnership with external providers.
• Validate payroll outputs, including statutory deductions, benefits, and gross-to-net calculations.
• Perform reconciliations and ensure timely approvals.

Collaborate Across Borders: 

• Work with HR, Finance, and IT to break silos and create a seamless, global payroll ecosystem. You'll be the go-to for payroll vendors and a trusted partner for internal teams.
• Maintain adherence to local legislation, tax regulations, and Wärtsilä standards.
• Prepare audit-ready documentation and support internal/external audits.

Be a Change Champion: 

• Partner with our global crew to drive process harmonization, consolidate vendor landscapes, and roll out modern payroll tech.
• You'll help us ditch double data entry and embrace automation, making payroll smoother, faster, and more digital than ever.
• Get Hands-On with Transformation Projects:
• Jump into project meetings, workshops, and design sessions.
• Help us align local processes with global standards, support data migration, and test new payroll and time systems.

Requirements for the position:

• Degree in HR, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in multi-country payroll operations within Europe.
• Strong understanding of payroll compliance and statutory requirements.
• Experience working in a Managed Payroll Service Model.
• Proficiency in payroll systems (SAP, Workday, ADP) and advanced Excel skills.
• Ability to work within project frameworks with clear deadlines.
• Strong capability to interpret data, troubleshoot issues, and propose solutions.
• Comfortable with ambiguity and adapting to evolving processes and technologies.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work across global and local teams.
• Fluent in English; additional European languages are an advantage. 

Why you and us?  

You are valued – as your true self. At Wärtsilä YOU matter. We value diversity and are committed in supporting inclusive work community.  

Your growth is supported. We believe in continuous learning & teamwork. Wärtsilian community has your back when it comes to development opportunities – so you can develop beyond your potential. 

You get to make a difference. Innovation and sustainability are important for us. Every day, we - Wärtsilians - put our hearts and minds into enabling sustainable societies through innovation in technology and services into reality.  

Contact & next steps 

Please submit your application before the application deadline through our Careers portal. Applications through email will not be considered. After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation email.

In case of any questions regarding the position, reach out to:

Katharina Falke

Global HR Process Lead Time and Payroll

Katharina.Falke@wartsila.com

Welcome to join us in shaping the decarbonisation of marine and energy!

Last application date: 11/12/2025 

At Wärtsilä we value, respect and embrace all our differences, and are committed to diversity, inclusion and equal employment opportunities; everyone can be their true self and succeed based on their job-relevant merits and abilities. 

Please note that according to Wärtsilä policy, voluntary consent for a security check may be required from candidates being considered for this position, depending on the applicable country.

This is Wärtsilä 

Wärtsilä is a global leader in innovative technologies and lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. Our team of 18,300 professionals, in more than 230 locations in 77 countries, shape the decarbonisation transformation of our industries across the globe. Read more on www.wartsila.com.