Senior Vice President - Global Payroll

Our client is seeking an accomplished payroll executive to provide strategic leadership for its global payroll organization. This executive will be responsible for the overall direction, governance, compliance, and operational excellence of payroll across multiple domestic and international jurisdictions. In addition to leading payroll operations, this individual will play a critical role in developing scalable processes, strengthening internal controls, and ensuring payroll supports the organization's continued growth. A key component of this role is serving as the organization's technical expert on the payroll administration of equity compensation programs. The successful candidate will possess extensive experience managing the payroll, tax, accounting, and compliance implications associated with restricted stock units (RSUs), stock options, employee stock purchase plans (ESPPs), and other stock-based compensation programs. This individual will partner closely with Accounting, Tax, Treasury, Human Resources, Legal, and Stock Administration to ensure all equity-related payroll events are processed accurately, reported timely, and maintained in full regulatory compliance. Reporting to senior Corporate Finance leadership, this is a highly visible executive role requiring strong business acumen, technical payroll expertise, and the ability to collaborate effectively across multiple corporate functions. Key Responsibilities Provide strategic leadership for the organization's global payroll function, ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely payroll processing across all jurisdictions. Develop and execute the global payroll operating model, governance framework, and internal control environment. Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing payroll team while fostering a culture of accountability, operational excellence, and continuous improvement. Serve as the company's subject matter expert for the payroll administration of equity compensation programs, including RSUs, stock options, ESPPs, performance awards, and other taxable equity transactions. Oversee the accurate calculation of payroll taxes, withholding, deposits, reconciliations, and reporting associated with equity compensation. Partner closely with Stock Administration, Accounting, Tax, Treasury, Legal, and Human Resources to ensure seamless execution of equity-related payroll activities. Direct payroll accounting activities, including accruals, reconciliations, financial reporting support, and month-end close processes. Manage relationships with outsourced payroll providers and third-party vendors, establishing performance expectations through service level agreements and key performance metrics. Ensure compliance with federal, state, local, and international payroll regulations, including year-end reporting, employment tax filings, audits, and regulatory inquiries. Lead payroll technology initiatives, system enhancements, process automation, and integrations with HRIS, ERP, and financial systems. Serve as the executive escalation point for complex payroll, tax, compliance, and employee-related issues. Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related discipline; advanced degree preferred. Ten or more years of progressive payroll leadership experience managing complex U.S. and international payroll operations. Demonstrated expertise overseeing payroll within publicly traded, private equity-backed, or similarly complex organizations. Extensive technical knowledge of the payroll, tax, accounting, and compliance requirements associated with equity compensation, including RSUs, stock options, ESPPs, and other stock-based incentive programs. Proven experience managing payroll accounting, internal controls, SOX compliance, financial reporting, and audit requirements. Strong understanding of payroll taxation, supplemental wage calculations, equity-related withholding methodologies, payroll funding, deposits, and regulatory reporting. Experience partnering effectively with Accounting, Tax, Treasury, Human Resources, Legal, and Stock Administration on complex payroll and equity matters. Demonstrated success leading payroll teams within outsourced or managed service environments. Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation strongly preferred. Advanced proficiency with enterprise payroll platforms, HCM systems, ERP applications, Microsoft Excel, and payroll reporting tools. Exceptional analytical, leadership, communication, and organizational skills, with the ability to influence senior leadership and drive strategic initiatives. Company