Senior Manager, Payroll

Job Description:

The Senior Manager, Payroll will drive payroll operational excellence by leading the firm’s payroll function to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payroll delivery for Dimensional employees across U.S. and non-U.S. jurisdictions. This role is responsible for operational excellence, payroll governance, team leadership, vendor management, process optimization and internal controls. Developing and maintaining collaborative partnerships with Human Resources, Accounting, Tax, Legal, and external payroll providers are key factors.

The ideal candidate must be able to lead on both the operational and strategic levels, possess global payroll expertise, and demonstrate strong executive communication skills.

Leads end-to-end payroll operations across multiple countries and regions (US, Canada, EMEA (UK, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands), Asia-Pac (Australia, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore), ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing for both monthly and semi-monthly payroll cycles.

Oversees payroll calendars, processing cycles, reconciliations, approvals, and funding activities. Ensures operational continuity and payroll delivery excellence across all payroll cycles. Serves as the senior escalation point for complex payroll issues and executive-level concerns. Partners with regional teams and external providers to ensure consistent execution globally.

Develops and maintains a strong payroll governance framework, including policies, procedures, controls, and documentation standards. Ensures compliance with federal, state, local, and international payroll regulations and tax requirements. Supports payroll audits, tax reporting activities, and responses to payroll-related inquiries as the subject-matter expert. Assists with payroll reconciliations, year-end payroll activities, and required payroll reporting submissions. Monitors payroll risk areas and proactively implements mitigation strategies.

Partners with Tax, Accounting, and Human Resources to ensure payroll-related reconciliations, incentives, and reporting are accurate and timely.

Manages relationships with global payroll providers and third-party vendors as the primary liaison. Establishes vendor governance processes, including Service Level Agreement monitoring, issue escalation management, and scorecards. Evaluates provider performance and identifies opportunities for operational improvement and service optimization. Participates in payroll-related projects, testing activities, and operational initiatives impacting payroll processes.

Partners with HR Information Systems, Finance Systems, and Technology teams to optimize payroll systems, integrations, and workflows. Identifies opportunities for automation, standardization, and process efficiencies. Leads payroll transformation and continuous improvement initiatives. Improves payroll reporting, metrics, and operational visibility through Key Performance Indicator development and dashboard reporting. Reduces manual dependencies and improves payroll scalability and efficiency.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or related field preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive payroll experience, including experience leading a global payroll operations function.
• Leadership experience managing payroll teams and/or complex payroll functions.
• Strong knowledge of payroll regulations, payroll accounting, and compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated experience improving payroll processes, controls, and operational efficiency.
• Strong executive communication and stakeholder…