Associate Manager, Global Payroll

KAYAK

Associate Manager overseeing payroll operations for KAYAK, a leader in travel search solutions. Leading a high-performing payroll team while ensuring accurate employee payments across multiple countries.

Posted 5/8/2026full-timeNorwalk • Connecticut • 🇺🇸 United StatesJuniorMid-Level💰 $105,000 - $110,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Ensure employees across multiple countries and pay frequencies are paid accurately and on time.
Oversee day to day payroll processing operations.
Calculate and report tax liabilities, including periodic, quarterly, annual, and ad hoc reconciliations; validate payroll tax reporting and related activities, including year-end forms.
Manage payroll tax reporting system processes.
Coordinate with external payroll vendors to ensure strong service delivery and accuracy
Respond to and resolve employee and stakeholder queries through the team’s ticketing system.
Researching evolving law and regulations regarding taxes and payroll withholding procedures.
Prepare reports and analyses for senior leadership as needed.
Serve as the primary contact for payroll tax notices and regulatory payroll audits.
Ensure correct taxation of payroll & benefits.
Collaborate closely with Finance, People Ops, Legal and FP&A teams - as well as Booking Holdings Payroll Team - to ensure accuracy and alignment across the organization.
Lead, develop, and support our growing Payroll Team, fostering a professional, inclusive, and supportive environment.
Contribute to ad-hoc projects and advise leadership on tax-related matters.

Requirements

What you’ll need

A minimum of 6 years of recent hands-on payroll experience with multi-national payrolls.
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or business administration preferred.
A professional payroll certification is preferred.
Experience leading or managing a team.
Experience with CloudPay and ADP would be ideal.
Strong Excel skills (e.g. pivot tables, VLOOKUP, data analysis) and comfort working with large data sets
Ability to create and analyze ad hoc reports using payroll systems and spreadsheet tools
Solid understanding of payroll tax regulations and compliance requirements.
Strong organizational and prioritization skills with a track record of meeting deadlines.
Clear, concise communication skills — both written and verbal — and a collaborative approach to working across teams.
Commitment to data confidentiality and professional integrity.
A dedicated, adaptable mindset with a creative and practical approach to problem-solving.
Familiarity with payroll platforms such as CloudPay, ADP, or similar systems

Benefits

Comp & perks

Work from (almost) anywhere for up to 20 days per year
Focus on mental health and well-being:
Company-paid therapy sessions through SpringHealth
Company-paid subscription to HeadSpace
Company-wide week off a year - the whole team fully recharges (and returns without a pile-up of work!)
No meeting Fridays
Paid parental leave
Generous paid vacation + time off for your birthday
Paid volunteer time
Focus on your career growth:
Development Dollars
Leadership development
Access to thousands of on-demand e-learnings
Travel Discounts
Employee Resource Groups
Competitive retirement and health plans
Free lunch 2 days per week
Fun quarterly events such as boat trips, arcades, ski trips, Thursday happy hours, and more

ATS Keywords

✓ Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools

payroll processingtax reportingdata analysisExcelpivot tablesVLOOKUPpayroll tax regulationscompliance requirementsreport preparationad hoc reporting

Soft Skills

organizational skillsprioritization skillscommunication skillscollaborationleadershipproblem-solvingadaptabilityprofessional integritysupportive environmentcommitment to confidentiality

Certifications

professional payroll certification