Director, Global Payroll

Role Description

We are seeking an experienced, strategic and highly motivated Director, Global Payroll to lead our payroll team. Reporting to the SVP Controller, this leader will oversee payroll operations across 18 countries, ensuring payroll is executed accurately, compliantly, and on time across all jurisdictions while enabling an exceptional employee experience.

This is a highly visible role requiring close partnership with Accounting, Treasury, Tax, Legal, HR, Benefits, and Equity Administration teams. The ideal candidate combines deep US and international payroll expertise with operational experience scaling complex global payroll functions in a fast-growing technology company.

Responsibilities

• Global Payroll Operations
  • Oversee end-to-end global payroll operations across all entities, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing.
  • Actively manage day-to-day and strategic relationships with payroll managed services partners, including SLA adherence, KPIs, escalations, and quarterly business reviews.
  • Develop and execute a long-term global payroll strategy focused on scalability, standardization, process excellence, and risk mitigation.
  • Develop and execute a payroll automation roadmap, including maintenance and enhancement of existing systems, to drive efficiency.
  • Lead payroll implementations and support global geographic expansion efforts, including new country setup, EOR management, and M&A integration activities.
• Leadership & Cross-Functional Alignment
  • Lead and develop a high-performing global payroll team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
  • Serve as an escalation point for complex payroll matters and employee inquiries, ensuring timely resolution and effective communication.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams on processes and systems including:
    • Partner with the Accounting and Equity Administration team on payroll accruals, reconciliations and variance analysis, equity compensation processing, and financial reporting.
    • Partner with Treasury to support payroll funding activities, global cash forecasting, and new country setup activities.
    • Partner with the HR teams on employee lifecycle, statutory benefits, and other related employee processes.
• Compliance & Risk Management
  • Oversee accurate payroll administration of complex compensation elements (including salary changes, bonuses, commissions, equity-related payments, leaves, deductions, garnishments, severance, and one-time payments).
  • Ensure adherence with all local, state, federal, and international laws and regulations.
  • Manage payroll-related compliance activities, including withholdings, payroll tax and statutory deposits, multi-state registrations, audits, and government inquiries.
  • Oversee year-end payroll reporting requirements globally, including W-2s and comparable international forms, as well as payroll tax filings and annual statements.
  • Proactively identify and mitigate payroll-related risks; maintain robust internal controls to prevent errors, fraud, and compliance violations.

Qualifications

• Proven Global Track Record: 15+ years of progressive payroll leadership, with a deep technical command of both multi-state US and international payroll environments.
• People Leadership: Demonstrated success in leading globally dispersed teams of 5+ employees through periods of significant growth and change.
• Quality & Excellence: Strong operational and problem-solving capabilities with commitment to accuracy and continuous improvement.
• Growth Mindset: A self-starter who thrives in high-velocity environments, with the ability to manage multiple complex workstreams simultaneously.
• Employee-Centric: A commitment to providing an elite, high-trust experience for every Ping Identian.
• An ideal candidate also has:
  • Technical Credentialing: Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation or equivalent global certification.
  • Global Expertise: Highly proficient in interpreting and researching local and international rules and regulations. Strong baseline understanding of statutory deductions, tax rates, social security requirements and benefits regulations in EMEA/APAC/North America.
  • Tech Stack: Proficiency with UKG and CloudPay and familiarity with other tech solutions such as Smartsheets, Google Sheets, and AI-enabled tools.
  • Public Company Experience: Expertise managing payroll complexities related to public company equity (RSUs and ESPP) and strong awareness of SOX control requirements.

Benefits

• Generous PTO & Holiday Schedule
• Parental Leave
• Progressive Healthcare Options
• Retirement Programs
• Opportunity for Education Reimbursement
• Commuter Offset (Specific locations)