Global Payroll Lead (EMEA & APAC) - AI-Driven Operations

OpenAI, Inc.; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

OpenAI is seeking a seasoned International Payroll lead based in Dublin to scale and improve its global payroll and payroll-support ecosystem. You will oversee end-to-end payroll delivery across EMEA and APAC, partner with outsourced providers, and drive global expansion initiatives.

The role focuses on ensuring accurate, on-time payroll, regulatory compliance, and building scalable processes with Workday HCM, AI tools, and strong vendor management.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of progressive experience in international payroll operations
• Experience leading multi-country payroll delivery across EMEA and APAC
• Hands-on experience supporting new-country payroll implementations, vendor onboarding, testing, and systems integrations
• Hands-on experience using AI tools to enhance, automate, and strengthen payroll workflows and controls
• Strong working knowledge of international payroll regulations, tax withholding, social insurance, statutory reporting, and standard payroll practices

Responsibilities

• Lead the international payroll processing team and oversee end-to-end payroll delivery across EMEA and APAC, ensuring employees are paid accurately, on time, and in compliance with local requirements.
• Own day-to-day operations with outsourced payroll and BPO partners, including payroll calendars, inputs, reconciliations, service-level performance, quality standards, issue resolution, and escalations.
• Lead the payroll workstream for global expansion and new-country launches, including payroll registrations, in-country vendor setup, implementation, testing, systems integration, and go-live readiness.
• Partner with People, Finance, Tax, Legal, Benefits, Equity, and Treasury teams to ensure accurate upstream inputs, funding, accounting, and downstream reporting.
• Draft and maintain payroll documentation, process maps, operating procedures, and internal controls to support compliance, audit readiness, and business continuity.
• Proactively identify and resolve payroll discrepancies and employee inquiries within SLAs, determine root causes, and implement controls that prevent recurrence.
• Use data, automation, and AI-enabled tools to improve controls, reduce manual work, and increase the scalability and effectiveness of international payroll operations.

Skills

International payroll

Leadership

Vendor management

Workday HCM

Data analytics

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, HR, or related field

Tools

AI tools

Workday HCM

Job description

OpenAI is seeking a seasoned International Payroll lead based in Dublin to scale and improve its global payroll and payroll-support ecosystem. You will oversee end-to-end payroll delivery across EMEA and APAC, partner with outsourced providers, and drive global expansion initiatives.

The role focuses on ensuring accurate, on-time payroll, regulatory compliance, and building scalable processes with Workday HCM, AI tools, and strong vendor management.