Own end-to-end payroll processing for the U.S. and Canada, ensuring on-time, accurate, and compliant payroll execution across all pay groups.
Oversee payroll calendars, cut-offs, controls, reconciliations, and sign-off processes. Ensure processing of earnings, deductions, benefits, equity, bonuses, retroactivity, terminations, and off-cycle payments.
Manage payroll funding, cash requirements, and coordination with Finance/Treasury.
Ensure compliance with all federal, state/provincial, and local payroll laws and regulations, including tax, wage and hour, and reporting requirements.
Monitor legislative changes and assess operational impacts; implement required updates proactively.
Support internal and external audits, SOX controls, and payroll risk assessments.
Lead, coach, and develop the North America payroll team, fostering accountability, consistency, and high performance. Promote standardization while accommodating local statutory requirements.
Manage relationships with payroll service providers, tax vendors, and third-party partners; ensure SLAs, KPIs, and contractual obligations are met.
Act as a key payroll partner to HR, People Operations, Finance, Tax, Legal, and Employee Experience teams.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance accuracy, efficiency, controls, and employee experience.
Contribute to payroll transformation initiatives, including system implementations, automation, and standardization. Maintain and improve payroll documentation, SOPs, and knowledge assets.
Ensure timely and professional resolution of payroll inquiries and escalations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, HR, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
8–10+ years of progressive payroll experience, with deep expertise in U.S. payroll; Canadian payroll experience strongly preferred.
Strong knowledge of payroll tax, wage and hour regulations, and compliance frameworks.
Experience working with outsourced payroll providers and payroll systems (e.g., ADP, Workday, SAP, or similar).
CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) or equivalent certification.
Exposure to payroll transformation or system implementation projects.
Strong leadership, judgment, and decision-making skills.
High attention to detail with the ability to manage competing priorities.
Structured, risk-aware, and process-driven mindset.

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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

Hard skills

payroll processingpayroll tax regulationswage and hour regulationscompliance frameworkspayroll fundingpayroll systemspayroll transformationsystem implementationaudit supportrisk assessments

Soft skills

leadershipjudgmentdecision-makingattention to detailability to manage competing prioritiesstructured mindsetrisk-aware mindsetprocess-driven mindsetcoachingrelationship management

Certifications

Certified Payroll ProfessionalBachelor’s degree in BusinessBachelor’s degree in FinanceBachelor’s degree in AccountingBachelor’s degree in HR