Senior Manager, Global Payroll

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Senior Manager, Global Payroll based in United States.

As Senior Manager, Global Payroll, you will lead and scale global payroll operations across multiple countries, entities, and pay structures. You will own the end-to-end payroll operating model, ensuring every cycle is accurate, timely, compliant, and employee-centered. Working closely with Finance, Accounting, People, Legal, IT, Total Rewards, and external providers, you will strengthen controls and build scalable processes for a growing global workforce. The role combines strategic leadership with hands-on execution across payroll systems, compliance, reconciliations, reporting, and vendor management. You will also drive automation and responsibly explore AI-enabled tools to improve efficiency, reporting, and employee support. As a trusted payroll leader, you will help shape a high-performing function while navigating complex global requirements and sensitive employee matters.

• Own the end-to-end global payroll operating model, including calendars, standard operating procedures, data inputs, approvals, processing, funding, reconciliations, reporting, and issue resolution.
• Lead U.S. and international payroll operations across multiple countries, entities, pay frequencies, and local requirements, ensuring every payroll cycle is accurate, timely, and complete.
• Manage third-party payroll providers, EOR partners, and local payroll specialists, holding them accountable for service quality, compliance, deadlines, and issue resolution.
• Establish and maintain strong payroll controls, review procedures, reconciliations, and audit-ready documentation covering employee data, taxes, deductions, benefits, equity, commissions, bonuses, and off-cycle payments.
• Partner with People Operations and Total Rewards to ensure hires, terminations, transfers, promotions, compensation changes, benefits, leaves, and other employee lifecycle events are accurately reflected in payroll.
• Work closely with Accounting on payroll reconciliations, journal entries, accruals, balance sheet accounts, cash funding, and month-end close activities.
• Partner with Stock Administration to ensure equity transactions, vesting, exercises, and related taxable compensation are accurately processed and reported.
• Collaborate with Legal and external advisors on payroll taxes, statutory requirements, registrations, wage and hour matters, audits, year-end reporting, and regulatory changes.
• Serve as the senior escalation point for complex payroll issues, investigating root causes and communicating clear resolutions to stakeholders and affected employees.
• Lead payroll audits and year-end processes, including W-2s, tax filings, statutory reporting, reconciliations, and other required employee and government reporting.
• Evaluate and improve payroll systems, HRIS integrations, workflows, and reporting to reduce manual effort, strengthen data quality, and increase operational visibility.
• Partner with IT and business stakeholders on system enhancements, integrations, provider transitions, entity launches, and other initiatives that improve scalability and employee experience.
• Define and monitor payroll performance metrics, including accuracy, timeliness, exceptions, issue resolution, provider performance, reconciliations, and audit findings.
• Analyze payroll trends, prepare forecasts and workforce-cost projections, investigate discrepancies, and provide clear reporting to Finance and leadership.
• Improve the employee payroll experience by responding to questions, resolving issues promptly, and communicating clearly about payroll timelines and changes.
• Identify opportunities to responsibly use automation and AI-enabled tools to enhance payroll operations, reporting, controls, and employee support.
• Lead, mentor, and develop payroll team members and external partners while establishing clear accountability and a culture of operational excellence.
• Act as a trusted partner to Finance and People leadership, balancing strong governance with practical, business-oriented problem solving.

Requirements:

• 10+ years of progressive payroll experience, including significant leadership experience overseeing global payroll operations in a multi-entity organization.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience; CPP certification is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing U.S. and international payroll across multiple countries, pay frequencies, payroll providers, EOR partners, and local specialists.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. payroll tax requirements, statutory obligations, year-end reporting, wage and hour considerations, benefits deductions, equity, commissions, and payroll accounting.
• Hands-on experience processing or reviewing bonuses, commissions, equity compensation, off-cycle payments, and other non-recurring payroll transactions.
• Experience with payroll platforms such as ADP and a proven track record of leading payroll implementations, migrations, integrations, or major system enhancements.
• Demonstrated success designing and improving payroll controls, reconciliations, audit processes, documentation, and standard operating procedures.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to investigate variances, identify root causes, and recommend effective solutions.
• Proven ability to collaborate cross-functionally and influence outcomes across Finance, Accounting, People, Legal, IT, Total Rewards, and business leadership.
• Sound judgment and discretion when handling sensitive employee information and time-critical payroll matters.
• Ability to move comfortably between strategic leadership and detailed execution with a high degree of ownership.
• Experience working across multiple regions and time zones in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Benefits:

• Base salary ranging from $116,000 to $187,000 USD depending on geographic pay zone.
• 15% target bonus included across all geographic zones.
• Restricted Stock Units (RSUs).
• Health, vision, and dental insurance.
• Mental health benefits.
• Compensation determined based on factors including skills, experience, and location.
• Opportunity to lead a global payroll function within a high-growth technology environment.
• Collaborative culture emphasizing teamwork, transparency, respect, and trust.
• Equal opportunity workplace committed to diversity and inclusion.

How Jobgether works:

We use an AI-powered matching process to ensure your application is reviewed quickly, objectively, and fairly against the role's core requirements. Our system identifies the top-fitting candidates, and this shortlist is then shared directly with the hiring company. The final decision and next steps (interviews, assessments) are managed by their internal team.

We appreciate your interest and wish you the best!

Why Apply Through Jobgether?

Data Privacy Notice: By submitting your application, you acknowledge that Jobgether will process your personal data to evaluate your candidacy and share relevant information with the hiring employer. This processing is based on legitimate interest and pre-contractual measures under applicable data protection laws (including GDPR). You may exercise your rights (access, rectification, erasure, objection) at any time.

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