Head of Payroll Partnerships (d/f/m)

Personio's intelligent HR platform helps small and medium-sized organizations unlock the power of people by making complicated, time-consuming tasks simple and efficient. Our growing team of 1,800+ Personios across Europe and the US are building user-friendly products that delight our 15,000+ customers and their 1.5 million employees. Ready to make an impact from day one?

Location: Munich (preferred) or Berlin, with 3 days per week in the office.

As a Head of Payroll Partnership, you will oversee and manage a team of 7–10 professionals dedicated to building, developing, and optimizing a strategic portfolio of partners to grow our Global Payroll, our fastest growing business at Personio. You and your team will work closely with tax advisor and other partners to deliver an integrated payroll solution internationally, combining their expert services with Personio’s payroll software. This joint offering is a cornerstone of Personio’s growth strategy and long-term customer value. The Head of Payroll Partnerships will report directly to the VP & GM of Payroll, who reports to the CEO.

In this leadership role, you will be responsible for driving the commercial development, operational excellence, and continuous improvement of our payroll partnership initiatives. You will play a key part in shaping the direction of our partnership business, ensuring both the success of Personio and our partners, and leading your team to achieve ambitious goals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of 7-10 partnership professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and growth.

• Lead a team internationally, with focus in Germany, but with presence across 5+ international markets.

• Set and monitor team targets for the acquisition, activation, and ongoing management of tax advisor partnerships to drive joint business success.

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with senior stakeholders at partner organizations, acting as a trusted advisor and advocate for mutual business growth.

• Oversee the implementation of joint go-to-market (GTM) strategies, including co-marketing campaigns, sales enablement, and training programs in collaboration with your team.

• Plan and execute partner-focused events and marketing activities, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, budget, and timelines.

• Analyze partnership performance metrics, provide actionable insights, and continuously optimize partnership strategies and team processes.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with Payroll Sales, Payroll Operations, Partner Enablement, and Marketing teams to maximize partnership impact.

• Represent Personio and your team in high-level partner negotiations and industry events.

Role Requirements:

We are looking for a Head of who can help us expand our payroll partnerships. This is a Germany-focused role with the aim to develop into an international (European) position over time. We are seeking someone with deep experience in Payroll, Taxes, or Accounting—ideally in a partnership or commercial role .

• Extensive partnership and business development experience: Proven success in partnerships, business development, channel sales, or strategy consulting—ideally with a focus on go-to-market execution and team leadership.

• Proven leadership abilities: Demonstrated experience managing, developing, and motivating teams (including direct leadership of at least 5+ professionals), with strong coaching and people development skills.

• Payroll, tax, or accounting expertise: In-depth knowledge of payroll, tax, or accounting processes, gained through direct experience in or with tax advisor businesses, or in a commercial/partnership role at a payroll software provider.

• Commercial acumen: Strong business sense with the ability to prioritize initiatives, allocate resources effectively, and drive measurable growth through strategic partnerships.

• Stakeholder management: Exceptional communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with experience managing relationships with senior stakeholders in large organizations and professional services firms.

• SaaS/HR tech familiarity: Experience in SaaS, HR technology, or payroll solutions is highly desirable; understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities in these markets is a plus.

• Educational background: Bachelor’s degree in business, management, economics, or a related field required; Master’s or MBA preferred.

• Market focus and adaptability: Willingness to travel regularly within Germany, with the ambition and capability to expand the role’s focus to additional European markets over time.

• Language skills: Full professional fluency in German and English is required; additional European languages are a plus.

Why Personio

Personio is an equal opportunities employer, committed to building an integrative culture where everyone feels welcomed and supported. We embrace uniqueness and understand that our diverse, values-driven culture makes us stronger. We are proud to have an inclusive workplace environment that will foster your development no matter your gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, education level, or race.

At Personio, we value in-person collaboration while also offering flexibility. This role is office-based, with 3 days per week required in your contracted office location. The remaining days can be worked from home or in the office if you prefer. In addition, you’ll have 20 Flex Days per year to work remotely from other locations.

Aside from our people, culture, and mission, check out some of the other benefits that make Personio a great place to work:

• Receive a competitive reward package – reevaluated each year – that includes salary, benefits, and pre-IPO equity

• Enjoy 28 days of paid vacation, plus an additional day after 2 and 4 years

• Make an impact on the environment and society with 1 (fully paid) Impact Day

• Receive generous family leave, child support, mental health support, and sabbatical opportunities

• We enjoy gathering for meals, cultural initiatives, and events like local Summer Sessions and year-end celebrations. There's also healthy snacks, drinks, and a weekly catered lunch