Global Director of Payroll

The Global Director of Payroll will lead and oversee the global payroll operations spanning 50 countries. This role is responsible for ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant payroll processing across all regions, aligning payroll strategy with corporate objectives, managing global payroll vendors, and leading transformation initiatives to enhance scalability and efficiency. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in global payroll, regulatory compliance, and leadership in complex, high-volume environments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership
  • Develop and execute a global payroll strategy that supports the company’s growth and compliance needs across approximately 50 countries.
  • Partner with Finance, HR, Legal, and Tax teams to align payroll operations with broader corporate goals and objectives.
• Global Operations Oversight
  • Oversee payroll processing for all global employees, ensuring timely and accurate disbursement in compliance with local labor laws, regulations, and statutory reporting.
  • Oversee payroll-related benefits deductions and retirement plan withholdings across locations, ensuring compliance with local statutory requirements and seamless integration with benefits administration platforms.
  • Process and report on equity incentive plans such as RSUs and ESPPs, as well as tax withholding and compliance.
  • Manage a global team of payroll professionals and third-party providers to deliver consistent, high-quality service.
  • Lead payroll integrations related to M&A activity, new country expansion, and system implementations.
• Compliance & Governance
  • Ensure compliance with all regulatory, tax, and labor requirements across jurisdictions, including SOX controls, GDPR, and local withholding/taxation rules.
  • Own the preparation and oversight of external payroll audits and financial audits and coordinate with internal audit and external auditors.
• Process Optimization & Technology
  • Identify and implement process improvements, automation opportunities, and best practices in payroll systems and reporting.
  • Collaborate with IT and Finance on system upgrades and the deployment of a global payroll platform.
  • Ensure payroll costs are accurately reported and in collaboration with Finance, reconciled in the general ledger.
  • Provide executive leadership with regular payroll metrics, insights, and compliance updates.
• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing, geographically dispersed payroll team.
• Foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Promote cross-functional collaboration with internal stakeholders (HR, Finance, Legal, etc.) to achieve payroll objectives and enhance overall efficiency.
• Demonstrate leadership through a ‘one-team’ mentality and a growth mindset.

Skills/Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 15+ years of progressive experience in global payroll leadership roles, with responsibility across multiple countries.
• Expertise in international payroll compliance, tax, and regulatory environments in all global regions (North America, EMEA, LATAM, and APAC).
• Demonstrated success in leading large-scale payroll transformations.
• Experience in a publicly traded environment with strong understanding of SOX and internal controls.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency in global HCM and ERP platforms (e.g., Workday, Dayforce).
• Requires sitting or standing at will while performing work on a computer.