Sr. Director, Global Payroll

THE POSITION

The Senior Director of Global Payroll is responsible for overseeing accuracy and operations efficiency for the global payroll process. This position is considered a leader to external and internal partners and to all levels of the finance department personnel, and should lead by example.

• Manage the processing of bi‑weekly payroll for exempt and non‑exempt employees in multi‑state and international environments.
• Manage global payroll service providers, communicate changes for international employees, and maintain a basic understanding of global privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR).
• Interface and partner with HR to support onboarding of new employees and separations in a timely and compliant manner.
• Work with payroll processors to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local (including international) legal and tax requirements.
• Maintain a customer‑service approach (with attention to email responsiveness) for employees who have questions regarding pay, deductions, or the payroll process.
• Support preparation of all payroll and related journal entries with the accounting team for month, quarter, and year‑end close.
• Reconcile payroll account balances as part of month‑end, quarter‑end, and year‑end close processes.
• Provide analysis of payroll and related costs to identify trends and ensure accurate reporting.
• Design short‑term and long‑term strategies for continuous improvement in payroll operations, including optimization of systems and processes.
• Stay current on state and federal laws governing wage reporting, taxation, garnishments, wage with holdings, and other reporting requirements.
• Build scalable business processes for the payroll department and ensure an effective internal‑control environment.
• Lead strategy and systems for international payroll.
• Lead global rollout of centralized payroll processes and systems; build an international payroll team aligned with the company’s global growth.
• Handle ad‑hoc projects, reporting, and account reconciliations, and other assignments as needed to support finance and HR.
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through continuous development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Responsibly oversee staff and ensure accuracy of their work.
• Communicate, interpret, and discuss company policies and procedures with the team.
• Drive necessary change within the group and department.
• Mentor staff and lead by example.
• Interview, select, and supervise department staff; communicate and discuss policies and procedures.
• Build and structure a high‑performing international payroll team, using metrics to determine appropriate size and scale.
• Determine job objectives, work methods, and performance standards; review performance, discuss appraisal, and authorize salary changes, promotions, transfers, discipline, and other personnel actions.

• Travel – Less than 10% for appropriate HR/Finance conferences or meetings.
• Hours – 40+ hours per week, 5 days per week.

The requirements listed below are representative of the experience, education, knowledge, skill and/or abilities required.

• Education – Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Management.
• Experience and/or Training – At least 12–15 years of multi‑state and international payroll experience with a global, multi‑national company; high familiarity with international payroll and compliance requirements; proven experience as a Senior Manager or other managerial position with building a high‑performing team; strong understanding of human resources, corporate finance, and performance metrics; excellent organizational, leadership, communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills; outstanding analytical and problem‑solving abilities.
• Technology/Equipment – Proficiency in Excel, Word, Outlook, and hands‑on knowledge of payroll/time‑keeping systems.

• Licenses/Certificates – Certified Payroll Professional (CCP).
• Technology/Equipment – Experience with Ultimate Software and advanced Excel skills.