Senior Manager, Global Payroll

The simple task of buying software, services, or tools at work has become hopelessly complicated at even the most innovative companies in the world. Today, enterprises spend $120T+ per year globally (>30 times larger than annual consumer e-commerce spend) and rely on vendors more than ever before to run their businesses.

Our cofounders started Zip in 2020 to address this seemingly intractable problem with a purpose-built procurement platform that provides a simple, consumer-grade user experience. Within the last 4 years, Zip has created a new category and developed the leading solution in this $50B+ TAM space. Today, the world’s leading companies like OpenAI, Snowflake, Anthropic, Coinbase, and Prudential rely on Zip to manage billions of dollars in spend.

We have a world-class team coming from category-defining companies like Airbnb, Meta, Stripe, Salesforce, Apple, and Google. With a $2.2 billion valuation and $370 million in funding from Y Combinator, Tiger Global, BOND, DST Global, and CRV, we’re focused on developing cutting-edge technology, expanding into new global markets, and—above all–driving incredible value for our customers. Join us!

We're looking for an experienced Senior Manager, Global Payroll. This is a hybrid role in San Francisco.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead and oversee all aspects of global payroll operations, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timeliness across all regions (including US, EMEA, APAC, and EOR arrangements).

• Define and execute the global payroll strategy, vendor selection, and partnership model to align with business objectives, scalability, and an exceptional employee experience.

• Manage external payroll vendors and providers globally, establishing strong relationships and holding them accountable to service level agreements (SLAs).

• Serve as the subject matter expert and final escalation point for complex payroll issues, including those related to tax, benefits, garnishments, leave of absence, and equity (RSUs, Stock Options, etc.).

• Lead quarter-end and year-end payroll processes, including tax reporting, compliance filings, and W-2/equivalent statement delivery globally.

• Ensure strict compliance with all federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations and labor laws in the US, and all equivalent statutory requirements in international jurisdictions.

• Develop, implement, and maintain SOX-compliant internal controls, documentation, and governance frameworks for all global payroll processes to ensure audit and IPO readiness.

• Oversee tax registrations, amendments, and adjustments globally, partnering closely with the Tax department.

• Manage payroll-related audits (e.g., external financial, 401k, Workers' Compensation).

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Accounting, Finance, People Operations (HRIS/Benefits/Compensation), and Legal to streamline end-to-end payroll processes and data integration.

• Own the month-end close activities for payroll, including the review and approval of payroll-related journal entries, balance sheet reconciliations, and variance analysis for all regions.

• Drive strategic initiatives such as new payroll system implementations/upgrades, vendor consolidation, and expansion into new countries/entities.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8+ years of progressive, hands‑on experience in payroll administration, with at least 3+ years managing global/multi‑country payroll operations.

• Proven experience in a public company or pre‑IPO environment with exposure to SOX controls.

• Deep expertise in US multi‑state payroll, tax regulations, and labor laws, coupled with a strong understanding of international payroll practices (EMEA and APAC).

• Demonstrated experience managing payroll for a large, high‑growth organization (e.g., +1,000 global employees).

• Strong knowledge of upstream payroll inputs (compensation, benefits, stock administration) and integrations with enterprise systems.

• Experience leading, mentoring, and managing a team of payroll specialists, fostering a collaborative environment, driving professional development, and ensuring the team’s operational goals and service level agreements (SLAs) are met with high standards of accuracy and compliance.

• Expert…