Application Guide
How to Apply for Payroll Specialist with Team Lead Option
at Climeworks
🏢 About Climeworks
Climeworks is a pioneering climate tech company that develops and operates Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere. Unlike generic sustainability companies, Climeworks combines decades of engineering expertise with a commercial approach to carbon removal, helping corporations achieve net-zero goals through permanent, verifiable solutions. Working here means contributing directly to scalable climate impact while being part of a Swiss-based global leader in an emerging industry.
About This Role
This Payroll Specialist role at Climeworks involves end-to-end payroll processing for up to 400 employees across Switzerland and international locations (DE, IS, US, CA) using Abacus software, while also having the opportunity to lead the HR Operations team. You'll ensure compliance with Swiss social security (AHV, UVG, BVG, KTG) and tax regulations while driving process improvements in a fast-growing climate tech environment. The dual specialist/leadership aspect makes this role impactful—you'll maintain payroll accuracy for mission-driven employees while shaping efficient HR operations as the company scales.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start by reviewing time and absence data in Abacus to ensure compliance with Swiss and German working time policies, then processing payroll adjustments for employees across Switzerland, Germany, Iceland, US, and Canada. You'd coordinate with external payroll providers for international locations, resolve payroll inquiries through the ticketing system, and collaborate with Accounting on monthly closing activities—all while potentially mentoring HR Operations team members and identifying process improvements to support Climeworks' rapid growth.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Climeworks Is Looking For
- Has 3+ years of hands-on Swiss payroll experience with Abacus software, including AHV/UVG/BVG processing and international payroll coordination (especially DE, IS, US, or CA).
- Demonstrates experience improving payroll/HR processes and can handle monthly/annual closing activities with Accounting teams.
- Shows leadership potential or prior team oversight experience, with ability to manage payroll inquiries via ticketing systems while mentoring others.
- Understands Swiss and German working time policies and can align time/absence data accurately in a tech or scaling company environment.
📝 Tips for Applying to Climeworks
Explicitly mention your experience with Abacus payroll software and specific Swiss social security processes (AHV, UVG, BVG, KTG) in your resume—Climeworks needs someone who can run payroll independently from day one.
Highlight any experience coordinating international payrolls (especially Germany, Iceland, US, or Canada) as this is explicitly mentioned in the job description.
Describe a process improvement you led in payroll or HR operations, quantifying efficiency gains if possible—Climeworks values continuous improvement in their scaling environment.
If you have leadership experience, frame it in terms of 'ensuring professional, efficient, and business-oriented HR processes' as stated in the job description.
Research Climeworks' growth trajectory (they've expanded to multiple countries) and mention how your payroll experience supports international scaling in your cover letter.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your hands-on experience with Abacus payroll software and Swiss payroll regulations (AHV, UVG, BVG, KTG), emphasizing accuracy and compliance.', 'Examples of coordinating international payrolls or working with external providers (especially for DE, IS, US, CA locations).', "How you've improved payroll/HR processes or collaborated with Accounting teams on closing activities.", "Your interest in Climeworks' climate mission and how payroll accuracy supports their growing team of engineers and carbon removal specialists."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Climeworks' Direct Air Capture technology and their specific carbon removal projects (like Orca in Iceland), to understand the company's technical and global footprint.
- → Their growth timeline and international expansion—note they have operations in Switzerland, Germany, Iceland, US, and Canada (all relevant for payroll coordination).
- → Recent news about Climeworks' partnerships with corporations (like Microsoft, Stripe) to understand their B2B model and scaling trajectory.
- → Swiss payroll regulations and how they might intersect with climate tech industry specifics (e.g., stock options for tech employees, international assignments).
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic payroll resume without highlighting Abacus software experience or specific Swiss social security knowledge (AHV, UVG, BVG, KTG).
- Failing to address the international payroll coordination aspect (DE, IS, US, CA) or the leadership opportunity in your application.
- Not researching Climeworks' climate mission—this role requires supporting a purpose-driven team, so lacking enthusiasm for carbon removal could be a mismatch.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!