Senior Director - Global Payroll and Time

Position Summary Eli Lilly and Company is seeking a Senior Director, Payroll, Time Tracking & Absence (PATT) to lead one of the most operationally critical functions within our global HR Technology & Operations organization. This role owns end-to-end payroll for the US and is the process owner for global time management and absence. Additionally, the role will be a key influencer of shaping payroll strategies globally. Lilly PATT primarily operates within Workday as our core HCM platform. This is a leadership role that will work at the intersection of people, technology, and financial integrity — partnering closely with Finance, Legal, Global Mobility, and our broader HR leadership team to transform, streamline and automate PATT capabilities. The Senior Director will implement an AI-forward payroll capability, drive Workday PATT product excellence, govern third‑party vendor relationships and ensure full SOX compliance for all payroll cycles. The ideal candidate brings Workday PATT expertise, a track record of transforming business operations at scale, and the leadership presence to continuously elevate team performance. Key Responsibilities Global Payroll Operations Own end-to-end payroll operations for Lilly US ensuring payroll is processed accurately, compliantly and on time. Oversee equity-related payroll events including the management of KPMG (our mobile taxation processor), award processing and special, limited scope payments. Lead payroll readiness and execution for new country and acquired company launches. Manage entity changes including regulatory setup, vendor selection and integration into Lilly's global payroll framework. Serve as the senior escalation point for complex cross-border, multi‑jurisdictional and executive-level payroll matters. Maintain and continuously improve payroll governance, controls and audit readiness — including full SOX compliance payroll accounting practices. HR Technology & AI Transformation Own the strategic product roadmap for Workday Payroll, Time Tracking and Absence — including feature adoption, configuration governance, release planning and enhancements. Lead the marketplace in the use of HR technology, agentic AI and the digital employee experience to aggressively streamline operations while maintaining or improving accuracy. Own and simplify the PATT technology portfolio — reducing vendor complexity, retiring legacy tools and enabling best practices across regions. Partner to optimise integrations between Workday and downstream payroll, finance, benefits, equity administration and reporting systems. Vendor & Third‑Party Governance Develop and drive strategic vendor relationships such as PWC — setting clear SLAs, conducting performance reviews and holding partners accountable to quality standards. Consult on outsourced payroll service agreements, ensuring cost‑effectiveness and service excellence for all Lilly markets. Partner with Procurement and Legal on contract renewals, escalation frameworks and vendor risk management. Compliance, Risk & Financial Integrity Ensure compliance with employment tax regulations, labour laws and data privacy requirements in the US — maintaining active awareness of regulatory changes. Lead payroll's contribution to year‑end financial close and external reporting, including MD&A readiness, 401(k) audit support and payroll‑driven disclosures. Oversee payroll for stock compensation that incorporates multi‑jurisdictional tax requirements. Maintain robust internal controls and coordinate with Internal Audit and external auditors on SOX testing and payroll‑related control assessments. Team Leadership & Capability Development Lead, develop and inspire a team of PATT professionals in the US — cultivating a culture of ownership, continuous improvement and psychological safety. Model the leadership philosophy of HRTO — removing barriers, granting permission and enabling the team to perform at their highest level. Stakeholder Partnership & Executive Engagement Partner closely with Finance, Legal, Compensation, Benefits, Global Mobility, and HR Business Partners to ensure payroll supports Lilly's broader people and business agenda. Represent PATT in enterprise‑level programmes including M&A activity, system implementations and compensation policy changes. Prepare and present executive-level reporting on payroll operations, compliance posture, risk indicators and strategic initiatives to HRTO and CFO‑area leadership. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Human Resources or a related field; advanced degree (MBA, MSHR) preferred. 10+ years of progressive experience in global payroll operations, including proven ability to transform and scale. Demonstrated Workday Payroll expertise, with strong working knowledge of Time Tracking and Absence modules; Workday certification preferred. Fluency in SOX compliance, GAAP payroll accounting and multi‑jurisdictional employment tax and labour law. Proven experience managing large‑scale payroll vendor relationships (e.g., ADP, third‑party country payroll providers). Track record of leading payroll transformation initiatives — including system implementations, process automation and AI‑enabled improvements. Exceptional stakeholder engagement skills — able to operate with credibility across Finance, Legal, HR and executive leadership. Experience in a large global public company (Fortune 500 equivalent), ideally in life sciences, technology or a similarly regulated industry. Preferred Qualifications Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation. Experience with equity and stock‑based compensation payroll across multiple tax jurisdictions. Prior experience with Workday Orchestrate, RPA tooling, or AI‑driven payroll automation. Familiarity with KPMG, EQ (Equatex), ADP Workforce Now and Experian as payroll ecosystem partners. Experience leading payroll through M&A integrations, entity expansions or significant organisational transformation. Compensation & Benefits Actual compensation will depend on a candidate's education, experience, skills and geographic location. The anticipated wage for this position is $154,500 - $226,600. Full‑time equivalent employees will also be eligible for a company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance). In addition, Lilly offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees, including eligibility to participate in a company‑sponsored 401(k); pension; vacation benefits; eligibility for medical, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits; flexible benefits (e.g., healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts); life insurance and death benefits; certain time off and leave of absence benefits; and well‑being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities). Lilly is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status. Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities when vying for positions. If you require accommodation to submit a resume for a position at Lilly, please complete the accommodation request form ( for further assistance. Lilly is proud to be an EEO Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status. #J-18808-Ljbffr 100 Eli Lilly and Company