VP-Payroll

At Moody's, we unite the brightest minds to turn today’s risks into tomorrow’s opportunities. We do this by striving to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome to be who they are—with the freedom to exchange ideas, think innovatively, and listen to each other and customers in meaningful ways. Moody’s is transforming how the world sees risk. As a global leader in ratings and integrated risk assessment, we’re advancing AI to move from insight to action—enabling intelligence that not only understands complexity but responds to it.

We decode risk to unlock opportunity, helping our clients navigate uncertainty with clarity, speed, and confidence.

• Significant experience in global or multi-country payroll operations, including leading payroll projects and process improvement initiatives.
• Direct experience with M&A payroll integration, including system consolidation, data migration, and harmonization of pay and time practices.
• Hands-on experience leveraging Workday HCM to support payroll processes, compliance, and operational excellence, including configuration, testing, and reporting.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. and international payroll tax rules, filings, and compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional projects and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to partner effectively with People Team Operations, Benefits, Finance, and Technology.
• Experience with ADP payroll platforms preferred.
• Experience with Cloud Pay or similar global payroll aggregator/outsourcing platforms preferred.
• Prior experience operating at VP or AVP level within a payroll, HR operations, or shared services organization preferred.

• Professional payroll certification (e.g., CPP, Global Payroll Management Institute certification, or equivalent) preferred.

• Lead and manage global payroll projects from initiation through completion, including scoping, planning, stakeholder alignment, risk management, and post-implementation review.
• Own payroll work streams for mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures, including due diligence support, payroll system/data integration, harmonization of pay practices, and post-close stabilization.
• Identify, design, and implement process improvement and automation initiatives that increase payroll accuracy, reduce manual effort, and strengthen controls.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on Workday HCM functionality, configuration, and reporting; partner with HRIS/Technology teams on enhancements, testing, and issue resolution.
• Maintain strong working knowledge of ADP payroll processing and, where applicable, Cloud Pay, to support in-country and outsourced payroll delivery models.
• Partner closely with the People Team, including People Team Operations and Benefits, to ensure seamless coordination of payroll-impacting processes, including new hires, terminations, leaves, benefits deductions, and total rewards changes.
• Work closely with the VP of Americas Payroll and the VP of International Payroll to align on shared priorities, coordinate cross-regional projects and M&A integrations, and ensure consistent payroll standards and controls globally.
• Apply a strong understanding of U.S. and international payroll tax rules to ensure compliant payroll processing, tax filings, and reporting across multiple jurisdictions.
• Develop and maintain payroll process documentation, controls, and standard operating procedures to support audit readiness and regulatory compliance.
• Provide regular reporting and updates to senior leadership on project status, risks, and key payroll metrics.
• Mentor and, depending on level, manage members of the…