Senior Payroll Operations Analyst EMEA (W/M/D)

Welcome to Warner Bros. Discovery… the stuff dreams are made of.

Who We Are…

When we say, “the stuff dreams are made of,” we’re not just referring to the world of wizards, dragons and superheroes, or even to the wonders of Planet Earth. Behind WBD’s vast portfolio of iconic content and beloved brands, are the storytellers bringing our characters to life, the creators bringing them to your living rooms and the dreamers creating what’s next…

From brilliant creatives, to technology trailblazers, across the globe, WBD offers career defining opportunities, thoughtfully curated benefits, and the tools to explore and grow into your best selves. Here you are supported, here you are celebrated, here you can thrive.

Your New Role…
Join Warner Bros. Discovery as a dedicated EMEA Snr Payroll Operations Analyst within the Global Business Services People and Culture Shared Services Payroll Operations Department. The EMEA Snr Payroll Operations Analyst plays a crucial role in conducting internal and external audits for the WBD German Payrolls, providing support for payroll projects across EMEA. Managing, reviewing, and implementing best practices in payroll processes throughout EMEA in-conjunction with the payroll team. This position involves managing non-monetary benefits process in Germany. Compiling, analyzing, and documenting issues related to payroll, pension, benefits, and associated activities to identify systemic problems. The Snr Analyst will also be responsible for supporting internal German based teams with complex payroll, pension and benefits issues and processes and preparing materials for external and internal auditors. Active participation in special projects will enable the Snr Analyst to work on a varied stream of activities. If you are detail-oriented and enthusiastic about ensuring payroll excellence, we invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity.

Your Role Accountabilities…

• International Payroll Operations Execution:
  • Act as the primary contact for the internal and external German Audit queries
  • Support the internal German based teams with complex payroll, pension and benefits issues
  • Manage non-monetary benefits process in Germany
  • Managing, reviewing, and implementing best practices in payroll processes throughout EMEA
• Compliance and Point of Contact:
  • Serve as the escalation point of contact for German payroll, pension and benefit issues and processes, from various internal teams.
  • Resolve German payroll and pension related inquiries from escalated from employees, agencies, and other internal/external parties.
  • Manage ticket escalation requests in the case management system for payroll, pension, and benefit issues.
• Analysis and Documentation:
  • Compile, analyze, and document issues related to payroll, pension, and fiscal activities to identify systemic problems.
  • Identify opportunities and contribute to implementing continuous improvements in payroll procedures and processes
• Collaboration and Support:
  • Work closely with Legal, Finance, and HR to ensure payroll compliance.
  • Support internal audits in various German payroll and pension areas and prepare materials for external and internal auditors.
• Reporting and Data Analysis:
  • Compile statistics and reports regularly, including ad hoc requests and Year-end reporting.
  • Perform data analysis by running reports and utilizing Excel functionality (VLOOKUP’s, index match, pivot tables).
• Testing and Special Projects:
  • Participate in testing of payroll, pension and benefit systems or process changes and enhancements.
  • Contribute to payroll, pension, and benefit projects throughout EMEA as required.

Qualifications & Experience…

• Experience: Minimum 5 years of experience in payroll operations, with a focus on Germany, while managing sensitive and confidential information is required. Experience in a EMEA shared service, large multi-business unit organization is a plus.
• Education: bachelor’s degree in business, Accounting, Finance, or a related field or equivalent combination of work experience required. Payroll certification a plus.
• Language Requirements: Must be bilingual. German and English speaking.
• Technical Skills: Experience with Workday HR/Safeguard payroll or other SaaS payroll tools required (SAP or PeopleSoft) with payroll integration and mass data loads (EIB) preferred. Knowledge of Microsoft is required, particularly with MS Excel.
• Relationship Management: Strong relationship skills. Experienced in building and maintaining effective collaborations. Recognized for reliability, integrity, and trustworthiness.
• Process Management: Solid knowledge of payroll and compensation practices (salary, benefits, taxes, etc) and statutory requirements for EMEA, with a focus on Germany, plus statutory requirements across countries in EMEA is required, with a focus on Germany. Skilled in process management, improvements, and re-engineering. Ability to manage high volume activities on time, in a fast-paced environment.
• Organizational Skills: Excellent planning, time management, prioritization, and follow-up skills. Has strong analytical skills and attention to detail.  
• Communication & Influence: Exceptional communication and customer service skills, capable of conveying complex information clearly at all levels and in German and English.

Severely disabled employees are welcome in our company and will be given special consideration if they are equally qualified.

How We Get Things Done…

This last bit is probably the most important! Here at WBD, our guiding principles are the core values by which we operate and are central to how we get things done. You can find them at   along with some insights from the team on what they mean and how they show up in their day to day. We hope they resonate with you and look forward to discussing them during your interview.

Championing Inclusion at WBD

If you’re a qualified candidate with a disability and you require adjustments or accommodations during the job application and/or recruitment process, please visit our for instructions to submit your request.