Senior Payroll Manager

Payroll Manager You'll own US and Canada payroll operations end‑to‑end in Workday, while managing and developing 12 direct reports on the US team. You report to the Head of Global Payroll and drive North American payroll growth. Responsibilities US Payroll Operations Own full‑cycle payroll processing for all US entities across multi‑state, multi‑frequency, exempt, and non‑exempt populations. Process complex equity compensation (RSUs, ISOs, NSOs), ensuring accurate tax withholding and timely reporting. Manage high‑volume payments: bonuses, commissions, severance, and equity events. Oversee quarter‑end, W‑2 preparation, year‑end reconciliations, and resolution of federal and state tax notices. Maintain and continuously improve Workday payroll configuration, identify automation opportunities, and lead optimization initiatives. Canada Payroll Management Oversee Canada payroll operations in partnership with our PwC Global Payroll Platform, developing expertise in CRA compliance, T4s, Records of Employment, and multi‑province processing. Partner with the international payroll team to ensure Canada stays integrated into our global compliance posture. Build out Canada payroll SOPs as the function matures. Team Leadership & Development Manage and develop 12 direct reports on the US payroll team, setting clear expectations, providing regular feedback, and investing in their growth. Build a team culture of accuracy, accountability, and continuous improvement. Serve as the escalation point for complex payroll issues and employee inquiries. Cross‑Functional Partnership & Compliance Partner with Corporate Accounting on payroll journal entries, accruals, and month‑end close. Work closely with Tax, Benefits, People Systems, and Employment Legal to ensure data integrity and compliance. Support audit readiness and internal system controls. AI Adoption & Process Improvement Champion the use of AI tools within the payroll function, identifying high‑value use cases for reconciliation, anomaly detection, and reporting. Lead or support process improvement projects that reduce manual effort, increase accuracy, and improve the employee payroll experience. Document processes, build SOPs, and contribute to the team's knowledge infrastructure. Qualifications 8+ years of payroll experience, with at least 3 years in a senior or manager‑level role owning US multi‑state payroll end‑to‑end. Hold a CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) certification. Direct people management experience with at least one FTE managed directly. Strong Workday experience (payroll module preferred); HCM with direct payroll involvement and a clear path to Workday Payroll ownership is considered. Deep familiarity with equity compensation processing (RSUs, ISOs, NSOs) and the tax implications at both federal and state levels. Demonstrated ability to thrive in fast‑moving, ambiguous environments, building structure where none exists without waiting for a playbook. Strong cross‑functional instincts, building trust quickly, influencing without authority, and communicating clearly across Finance, HR, Legal, and beyond. Strong Candidates May Also Have Canada payroll experience, even introductory exposure, is valued; willingness to learn and grow into the function matters more than deep expertise on day one. Experience experimenting with AI or automation tools to improve payroll workflows (reconciliation, error detection, reporting). Been part of a Workday payroll implementation or major system migration. Worked at a company that scaled rapidly from 500 to 2,000+ employees and built payroll infrastructure to match. Experience in or exposure to IPO readiness, SOX compliance, or building financial controls from scratch. Compensation & Benefits The annual compensation range for this role is $190,000 – $230,000 USD. Minimum education: Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience. Location‑based hybrid policy: staff are expected to be in an office at least 25% of the time. Visa sponsorship is available; we retain an immigration lawyer to assist qualified candidates. Benefits include competitive compensation and benefits, optional equity donation matching, generous vacation and parental leave, flexible working hours, and office space in San Francisco. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected class in accordance with applicable laws. #J-18808-Ljbffr Colorwave