HR & Payroll Specialist - Rotterdam, NL

This role sits at the intersection of HR Operations and Payroll across Europe. You will take ownership of payroll inputs and coordination for Poland, Germany, and the Netherlands, acting as the key connector between CIC and external payroll providers.

In parallel, you will support and administer HR operations, ensuring a high-quality employee experience and compliance with local practices.

This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys ownership, precision, and working across multiple countries and stakeholders.

CIC builds and connects thriving innovation communities around the world. Founded in 1999 in Cambridge, MA, we were one of the first companies to offer flexible office space and coworking. We manage a global network of innovation-focused workspace, laboratories, and event space across North America, Europe, and Asia, and continue to expand globally.

Opened in 2016, CIC Rotterdam sits inside the landmark Groot Handelsgebouw, just steps from Rotterdam Central Station. The campus is an active part of the city’s innovation landscape and one of the Leading Start-up hub in Europe — home to entrepreneurs, researchers, and organizations building the future of industry, sustainability, and urban life.

It’s a place where work happens across borders, disciplines, and generations.

Learn more about us here.

You will report to the Senior HR & Systems Specialist and work closely with the People Business Partner (EU) and the broader Global HR team.

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

Payroll Ownership & Coordination

• Own the preparation, validation, and timely delivery of payroll inputs for Poland, Germany, and the Netherlands

• Act as the primary point of contact between CIC and external payroll providers

• Ensure payroll cycles run smoothly, accurately, and in compliance with local requirements
  
  

• Proactively identify and resolve discrepancies in collaboration with vendors and internal stakeholders (HR, Finance)

• Maintain payroll calendars, controls, and documentation across entities

• Support payroll reporting, audits, and reconciliations in partnership with Finance

• Contribute to continuous improvement and standardization of payroll processes across countries
  
  

• Own day-to-day HR administration for employees based in the Netherlands, Germany and partially Poland

• Coordinate onboarding, employee changes, and offboarding processes in line with Dutch labor practices and company guidelines

• Manage sick leave tracking and support reintegration processes

• Act as a local HR point of contact for employees and managers in Rotterdam

• Support administration of employee benefits and ensure local compliance

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date employee data across global HR systems (including UKG and external payroll platforms like ADP)

• Act as a connector between CIC’s global HR team, local stakeholders, and external vendors

• Support the rollout of global HR initiatives and systems, ensuring alignment with European requirements

• Create and maintain clear process documentation (SOPs) to support consistency and scalability

• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and employee experience across HR operations

You are detail-oriented, reliable, and take pride in getting things right. You enjoy working in a structured way while navigating complexity across different countries and stakeholders. You take ownership, communicate clearly, and are comfortable working at the intersection of HR, payroll, and finance.

You are someone who doesn’t just follow processes—you help improve them. You bring:

• 2–5 years of experience in HR operations and/or payroll coordination

• Experience working with external payroll providers and multi-country environments is a strong advantage

• Solid understanding of payroll processes and data accuracy requirements

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

• Team-player attitude, willingness to grow, pro-activeness, self-motivation and resilience 

• Confidence working with multiple stakeholders across functions and geographies

• Experience with HRIS systems (e.g., UKG) and payroll systems (e.g., ADP) is a plus

• Fluency in English (required)

• Dutch (strongly preferred for local HR responsibilities)

• German (nice to have)

If you don't meet all the requirements or qualifications but bring some other unique skills and experience that would be valuable in this role, please apply and highlight those attributes for us however you’d like. 

• Employment contract.

• Starting compensation if based on full time: € 4.000 gross (excluding holiday allowance).

• Commuting / Transportation allowance (if living beyond 5 km from the office).

• Private pension plan.

• Wellness benefit.

• Allocated budget for training (customized to specific requirements of the role and organization's objectives).

CIC welcomes all candidates regardless of race, color, ancestry, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status or disability. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.