AVP, Payroll Specialist, Americas

Location: Armonk, NY, US

As AVP, Payroll Specialist, Americas, you will be responsible for key activities across the payroll cycle for Swiss Re's US employees across multiple legal entities, as well as monthly payroll support for employees in Colombia. You will manage payroll inputs, audits, reconciliations, funding, tax‑related processes, issue resolution, and year‑end activities in partnership with internal stakeholders and external payroll providers.

• Process end‑to‑end US multi‑state biweekly payroll for approximately 2,500 employees across multiple legal entities, including input, audit, funding, reconciliation, tax returns, vendor management, etc.
• Coordinate and process monthly payroll for approximately 30 employees in Colombia.
• Apply payroll requirements across relevant federal, state, local, and country‑specific jurisdictions, addressing or escalating complex matters as needed (e.g., tax adjustments, deferred compensation, etc.).
• Support payroll activities for International Assignees, International Transfers, and Non‑Resident Aliens, including related tax forms and payroll implications.

• Perform payroll audits and validations to ensure accurate inputs, outputs, deductions, taxes, payments, employee data changes, and process adherence.
• Prepare funding requests and reconcile payroll funding to payroll registers, general ledger files, and bank activity.
• Support year‑end payroll activities, including validation and delivery of Forms W‑2 and other required payroll tax documents.
• Maintain payroll documentation, controls, and records in accordance with Swiss Re policies and audit requirements.

• Respond to employee and stakeholder payroll inquiries in a timely, accurate, and service‑oriented manner.
• Support payroll projects, system testing, process changes, and continuous improvement initiatives; lead defined work streams where appropriate.
• Serve as backup for Canadian payroll processing and provide business continuity and resiliency support for additional global payrolls as needed.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of payroll, compensation, tax, banking, and employee data.

The Payroll team sits within the Operational Excellence function in the Global People Function and is responsible for ensuring that every employee is paid accurately, on time, and in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The team drives process improvements, maintains the highest standards of data integrity, and delivers an exceptional experience for employees and stakeholders.

You are an experienced payroll professional with strong technical knowledge, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to work independently in a deadline‑driven environment. You handle sensitive employee data, resolve complex payroll issues, partner across teams, and are energized by process improvement and new ways of working, including automation and emerging technologies.

• At least 3–5+ years of relevant payroll experience, with demonstrated experience processing complex US multi‑state payroll functions; experience in a large, matrixed, or global organization preferred.
• Strong understanding of payroll processing, payroll controls, reconciliations, garnishments, tax reporting, and year‑end payroll activities.
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax requirements, payment processes, and filing procedures.
• Experience working with outsourced payroll providers or third‑party payroll vendors, including coordination, issue resolution, and escalation.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups, and large data‑set reconciliation.
• Experience with payroll systems and HRIS platforms; SAP Payroll and/or Success Factors preferred.
• Experience supporting international, cross‑border, expatriate, or non‑resident payroll populations; familiarity with Canadian, Colombian, or broader Americas payroll preferred.
• Experience supporting payroll transformation, automation, or process improvement initiatives.
• Strong organizational, prioritization, problem‑solving, and follow‑through…