Payroll Expert, 100%

The ZHdK is one of the largest and most diverse art universities in Europe, with around 2100 bachelor’s and master’s students. The study and research areas include Art Education, Design, Film, Fine Arts, Music, Dance, Theatre, and Transdisciplinarity. Located in the heart of Zurich, ZHdK is a dynamic place where passionate people from over 75 countries work, study, teach, research, and continue their education. The university includes numerous exhibition and performance venues where students’ project works are publicly presented.

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The payroll department is responsible for the correct and timely processing of salaries, including the recording of working hours, wages, expenses, and allowances as well as social insurance accounting. In addition, the payroll department prepares relevant forms, performs control tasks, and serves as a contact point for withholding tax and other salary-specific questions.

As part of a succession arrangement, we are looking for an immediate or agreed upon start date for a

In this demanding role, you are responsible for the smooth operation of the monthly payroll accounting for fee recipients and collaborate in the payroll accounting for internal salary recipients (approx. 1,500 employees).

Your tasks:

• Ensure correct and timely payroll processing and related tasks using SAP HCM
• Monthly recording and verification of external fee payments (approx. 400 per month)
• Monthly processing of expense reports
• Maintain and update payroll-relevant data in SAP HCM
• Ensure internal control processes (ICS)
• Support monthly withholding tax accounting (QVO I and II)
• Provide written and oral information and supply payroll-related information to line managers and employees
• Prepare employer and interim income certificates
• Assist with accounting, declarations, and coordination of various social insurance carriers (pension fund, AHV, ALV and family compensation fund, accident insurance)
• Handle contributions for various pension funds
• Support quarterly and year-end tasks including account reconciliations with financial accounting
• Participate in HR projects

Your profile:

• Essential experience in payroll and familiarity with the relevant timelines
• Commercial basic training with further education in payroll or social insurance
• Strong attention to detail as well as careful and structured working style
• Good knowledge of English is essential; French or Italian skills are a clear advantage
• Ability to think networked and develop holistic solutions beyond your own area of responsibility
• Willingness to take responsibility in the monthly payroll run
• Active participation in internal and cross-departmental projects
• Strong IT skills (especially SAP HCM / SuccessFactors) and understanding of technical dependencies
• You enjoy working in a team, appreciate regular exchange, and support your colleagues
• Very good oral and written German skills, additional foreign language skills are an advantage

We are looking for a responsible personality with an independent, structured, and precise working style. You have high social competence and a pronounced quality and service awareness. You are part of the HR Services team, work closely within the payroll team as well as with the personnel administration team.

What you can expect from us
We offer you an interesting and challenging role in a lively and collegial environment at the Zurich Toni-Areal. We live an inclusive culture and value diversity. Our  benefits are diverse and home office is possible by arrangement.

Your contacts for further information

Carmen von Flüe ( carmen.vonfluee@zhdk.ch ), Head of HR Services

Svenja Moore ( svenja.moore@zhdk.ch ), HR Business Partner

Additional information about the Zurich University of the Arts can be found at  www.zhdk.ch .

We look forward to receiving your complete application documents by February 15, 2026, via the "Apply online now" link at the end of this advertisement. Please note that we only consider online applications via the link (no email applications) for this position.