Payroll Director

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Airbus Commercial Aircraft is looking for a Payroll Director to join our Human Resources team based in Herndon, VA.

As Director of Payroll Administration, you will re‑define, standardize, and operationalize payroll solutions for Airbus Americas and affiliates, ensuring a world‑class pay experience. You will lead a dedicated payroll team under the Head of HR & Workplace Shared Services, collaborating with key stakeholders to support employee development and lifelong learning.

We support Airbus’ greatest asset: our team members. Our HR partners coordinate cross‑departmentally and with global counterparts to positively impact the employee experience.

The Washington, D.C. metro area hosts multiple Airbus offices, including a corporate headquarters near Dulles International Airport. The region offers the Airbus Experience Center and a dynamic business environment.

• Financial Rewards:
  Competitive base salary, incentive compensation, profit sharing, retirement plan, and ESOP participation.
• Work/Life Balance:
  Paid time off, holidays, generous parental leave program.
• Health & Welfare:
  Comprehensive medical, high‑deductible plans, prescription, dental, vision, life, disability, Employee Assistance Plan, and supplemental benefits.
• Individual Development:
  Unlimited access to 10,000+ e‑learning courses, Leadership University, accelerated development programs, and mobility opportunities.

Leadership: 30%

• Overall responsibility for payroll team direction, performance, and staff development.
• Coach, mentor, and lead team members to operational excellence.
• Create and deliver organization‑wide training on existing and new systems.
• Recruit, select, orient, and retain payroll staff.
• Build relationships with senior stakeholders and maintain business partnerships.

Project Management: 25%

• Coordinate and manage integration of acquisitions for payroll purposes.
• Develop and maintain project plans, risk logs, and reporting.
• Diagnose payroll design needs and recommend efficiencies within HRIS and payroll systems.
• Partner with teams to create procedures for new business needs.
• Lead full‑life‑cycle implementation of payroll, time off, and time‑attendance systems.

Strategy: 20%

• Define and manage strategy for payroll operations, including tax and accounting integration.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners on strategic opportunities and enabling technologies.
• Analyze current practices to identify improvement opportunities for best practices.
• Negotiate, collaborate, and manage change with stakeholders.

Compliance: 20%

• Establish and maintain policies, procedures, and internal controls for accuracy and regulatory compliance.
• Provide audit oversight to ensure compliance with internal and external standards.
• Maintain payroll KPI service levels and data security.

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Finance, Business Administration or related field.
• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Tax Law or International Law preferred.

• 10+ years of payroll experience with increasing responsibility.
• 15+ years of progressive HR and/or finance experience.
• 5+ years of leadership experience.
• Payroll tax experience preferred.
• Payroll implementation experience preferred.
• Experience in a multi‑functional international environment preferred.

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)
• PHR, SPHR or SHRM certifications

10% domestic travel.

Authorized to work in the US.

• Onsite: 100%
• Vision:
  Read computer screens and documents.
• Hearing:
  Participate in conversations and teleconference.
• Speaking:
  Deliver information and communicate.
• Equipment Operation:
  Operate office and personal electronic equipment.
• Carr…