Payroll, Global Payroll & Compliance Manager

Payroll, Global Payroll & Compliance Manager

Bay Area strongly preferred; open to remote.

About Snorkel

At Snorkel, we believe meaningful AI doesn't start with the model, it starts with the data. We're on a mission to help enterprises transform expert knowledge into specialized AI at scale. The AI landscape has gone through incredible changes between 2015, when Snorkel started as a research project in the Stanford AI Lab, to the generative AI breakthroughs of today. But one thing has remained constant: the data you use to build AI is the key to achieving differentiation, high performance, and production-ready systems. We work with some of the world's largest organizations to empower scientists, engineers, financial experts, product creators, journalists, and more to build custom AI with their data faster than ever before. Excited to help us redefine how AI is built? Apply to be the newest Snorkeler!

About The Role

We are seeking an experienced and highly organized Payroll, Global Compliance & Benefits Manager to own and scale our payroll, compliance, and benefits operations as Snorkel continues to grow globally.

This role will serve as the primary subject matter expert for U.S. and international payroll operations, payroll accounting, multi-state and global compliance, employee benefits administration, regulatory filings, bonus and commission processing, payroll tax compliance, and payroll-related audits. You will partner closely with Finance, People Operations, Legal, and external service providers to ensure employees are paid accurately and on time while maintaining compliance across all jurisdictions in which we operate.

The ideal candidate combines deep payroll expertise with a proactive compliance mindset. They thrive in fast-paced startup environments, are highly detail-oriented, and take pride in building scalable processes while ensuring nothing falls through the cracks. This is a hands-on role requiring both strategic thinking and operational excellence.

What You'll Do

Payroll Operations

• Own and manage end-to-end payroll processing for U.S. employees, ensuring accurate and timely payroll execution.
• Oversee and coordinate international payroll operations across multiple countries, including employees, contractors, and Employer of Record (EOR) populations.
• Serve as the internal payroll expert and primary administrator for Rippling.
• Partner with international payroll providers, EOR partners, and local advisors to ensure payroll is processed accurately and compliantly across all jurisdictions.
• Administer semi-monthly payroll cycles, including salary, bonuses, commissions, equity-related payroll impacts, fringe benefits, deductions, garnishments, relocation benefits, and final pay calculations.
• Review payroll changes for accuracy, completeness, and compliance prior to payroll submission.
• Ensure consistency and integrity of payroll data across all payroll systems and providers.
• Partner closely with People Operations to ensure employee lifecycle events are accurately reflected in payroll systems.
• Continuously improve payroll processes, controls, and documentation to support company growth and scalability.

Bonus & Commission Administration

• Own or support the calculation, validation, and payroll processing of employee bonus and commission programs.
• Partner with Finance, Revenue Operations, and Sales leadership to ensure commission calculations align with approved compensation plans.
• Review bonus and commission payouts for accuracy and completeness before payroll processing.
• Support commission and bonus accrual calculations and related accounting entries.

Payroll Accounting & Financial Close

• Prepare and reconcile payroll-related journal entries.
• Maintain payroll-related balance sheet reconciliations and supporting schedules.
• Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities related to payroll, benefits, commissions, bonuses, and employee-related liabilities.
• Reconcile payroll reports to the general ledger and investigate discrepancies.
• Partner with Accounting and Finance teams to ensure accurate payroll-related financial reporting.
• Support annual compensation-related disclosures and audit requests.

Compliance & Regulatory Filings

• Own payroll compliance across federal, state, local, and international jurisdictions.
• Ensure timely and accurate payroll tax filings, registrations, renewals, and remittances.
• Manage multi-state payroll compliance requirements, including withholding accounts, unemployment registrations, and state agency reporting.
• Oversee state and local business registrations and annual compliance requirements.
• Coordinate and support annual business property filings, including California Form 571-L and similar state and local reporting obligations.
• Manage San Francisco business registrations, annual reports, and related compliance filings.
• Ensure timely completion of annual payroll reporting requirements, including W-2 processing and employee tax documentation.
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to maintain compliance with international payroll, tax, and employment-related requirements.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes and proactively implement process updates.
• Maintain compliance calendars and ensure all filing deadlines are met.

Benefits & Retirement Plan Administration

• Administer payroll-related aspects of employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, FSA, HSA, commuter, life insurance, disability, and other employee benefit deductions.
• Partner with brokers, benefit providers, and People Operations to ensure accurate payroll deductions and reporting.
• Coordinate and lead annual 401(k) audit activities, including auditor requests, census preparation, testing support, reconciliations, and documentation.
• Support retirement plan compliance, employee contribution accuracy, employer match calculations, and annual true-ups where applicable.
• Assist with annual benefit renewals and benefit-related payroll implementations.

Audit & Internal Controls

• Serve as the primary payroll and compliance contact for external auditors.
• Support financial statement audits, payroll audits, 401(k) audits, tax audits, and regulatory examinations.
• Maintain payroll process narratives, policies, documentation, and control frameworks.
• Develop and strengthen payroll-related internal controls and compliance procedures.
• Ensure audit readiness through organized documentation, reconciliations, and process ownership.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Manage relationships with payroll providers, EOR partners, benefit administrators, brokers, and related vendors.
• Evaluate and implement payroll process improvements and automation opportunities.
• Ensure payroll systems and integrations operate effectively and accurately.
• Partner cross-functionally on system implementations, enhancements, and compliance initiatives.
• Support global expansion efforts by establishing payroll and compliance processes in new states and countries.
• Develop scalable processes that support a growing and increasingly global workforce.

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive payroll experience with ownership of end-to-end payroll operations.
• Hands-on experience administering payroll through Rippling.
• Experience managing both U.S. and international payroll operations.
• Deep understanding of federal, state, local, and international payroll compliance requirements.
• Strong knowledge of payroll tax regulations, filings, registrations, and reporting requirements.
• Experience managing multi-state payroll environments.
• Experience supporting bonus and commission calculations and payroll processing.
• Experience supporting month-end close and payroll accounting activities.
• Strong understanding of payroll-related GAAP accounting principles.
• Experience coordinating with payroll vendors, EOR providers, tax advisors, and external auditors.
• Experience supporting financial audits, payroll audits, 401(k) audits, and compliance reviews.
• Demonstrated experience managing state registrations, payroll tax accounts, and ongoing compliance obligations.
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize competing deadlines, and take ownership of critical processes.

Bonus Points For

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification.
• Experience in a high-growth technology, SaaS, or AI company.
• Experience with Deel, Remote, Papaya Global, Oyster, Workday, ADP, or similar global payroll platforms.
• Experience supporting employees across North America, EMEA, APAC, and LATAM regions.
• Experience with equity compensation payroll implications and related tax reporting.
• Experience with California payroll compliance and San Francisco business reporting requirements.
• Experience building payroll