Payroll Manager
Designer Fund is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage tech companies using design to improve health, sustainability, or prosperity for people. It backs founding teams, particularly those with design backgrounds, across sectors like fintech, healthcare, climate tech, and developer tools.
About Designer Fund
Designer Fund is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in tech companies leveraging design to drive positive outcomes in health, sustainability, and financial prosperity. Its portfolio spans a wide range of sectors including financial infrastructure (Stripe), preventative health (Omada), collaborative tools (Notion), developer tools (Netlify), product management (Linear), payroll and benefits (Gusto), design tools (Framer), and healthcare infrastructure (Commure), among dozens of other companies across fintech, climate tech, healthcare, EdTech, and AI. The firm also runs 'Designer Founders,' a community and platform highlighting designers who have gone on to found and lead companies, reflecting its focus on backing design-driven founders and design-centric startups from early stages through growth and acquisition.
Skills
About the Role
You'll own the end-to-end payroll process for 900+ hourly employees across Germany, keeping one of the most critical parts of the business running smoothly, accurately, and compliantly. As the company continues to scale across Europe, you'll work closely with Finance, People, and Operations teams to strengthen payroll processes and ensure teams are paid reliably and on time, every month. You'll partner with an external payroll provider, monitor evolving German tax and wage regulations, run payroll audits, manage benefit deductions and tax withholdings, and lead payroll-related financial reporting including journal entries and general ledger reconciliations. You'll also support escalated payroll queries and contribute to cross-functional projects that improve payroll operations.
Requirements
- 5+ years of payroll experience in Germany, including with hourly/shift-based employees
- Strong grasp of local regulations and tax requirements
- Experience with HRIS and payroll systems such as P&I Loga
- High proficiency in Microsoft Excel
- Detail-oriented with precision and ownership, able to meet strict deadlines independently
- Clear communication and effective collaboration across Finance, People, and other internal teams
- Proactive and process-driven mindset
- Fluency in English and German
Responsibilities
- Own and drive the monthly payroll process for Via Germany, partnering with the external payroll provider and internal Finance, People, and Operations teams
- Monitor changes in German tax regulations, wage laws, and compliance requirements
- Perform regular payroll audits to maintain accuracy and integrity of employee pay data
- Design and implement process improvements and internal controls
- Manage benefit deductions and tax withholdings with precision and confidentiality
- Lead payroll-related financial reporting, preparing journal entries and reconciling general ledger accounts
- Support escalated payroll queries that the Support Operations team can't resolve independently
- Contribute to cross-functional projects and operational improvements that strengthen payroll processes
Benefits
- Hybrid working model
- Spacious office near Chancery Lane
- Weekly team lunches
- Generous paid parental leave
- Health scheme offered through AXA
- Salary exchange benefit via YellowNest to help reduce childcare fees
- Cycle to Work Scheme via Green Commute Initiative (GCI)