Director, Global Payroll & HR Operations

Under Armour, Inc.; Annapolis (MD); Hybrid; USD 165,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid volunteer days

UA merchandise discounts

Competitive 401(k) plan matching

Maternity and parental leave

Health and fitness benefits

Job summary

Under Armour, Inc. seeks a Director of Global Payroll & HR Operations to lead the enterprise payroll function for 15,000 teammates worldwide. You will set the global payroll strategy, drive modernization of systems and data flow, and partner across HR, Finance, Tax, Legal, and Technology to build a scalable payroll ecosystem.

You will oversee governance, vendor strategy, analytics, risk management, and payroll experience across regions, guiding a high-performing team and the payroll roadmap.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, HR, or related field.
• 12+ years of payroll experience, including global payroll and tax exposure.
• 5+ years of people leadership in a multinational organization.
• Experience in the retail industry or a similarly-complex organization.
• Experience managing relationships with payroll platforms, particularly ADP.
• Experience in accounting and corporate finance matters.
• Experience with SuccessFactors Employee Central is a plus.
• Experience leading enterprise-wide payroll transformations and system implementations.
• Advanced Excel proficiency.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a global payroll strategy aligned with UA’s priorities.
• Lead, coach, and develop a high‑performing global payroll organization.
• Champion data stewardship, operational discipline, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee payroll delivery for 25+ countries with global standards.
• Ensure compliance with all payroll, tax, and wage regulations.
• Manage payroll governance, SOX controls, audits, and risk remediation.
• Own payroll and timekeeping platforms, roadmap, and integration strategy.
• Drive modernization of payroll data flow, automation, and AI-enabled processes.
• Establish global KPIs and dashboards for payroll performance.
• Partner with Accounting on monthly/quarterly/year-end close and GL reconciliation.
• Align Payroll and Accounting SOX controls and documentation.
• Collaborate on process improvements and standardization of global compensation.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Leadership

Payroll governance

Data analytics

Vendor management

Education

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

Tools

ADP

GlobalView

SuccessFactors EC

Workforce Management

Celergo

Job description

Director, Global Payroll & HR Operations

Values & Innovation

At Under Armour, we are committed to empowering those who strive for more, and the company's values - Act Sustainably, Celebrate the Wins, Fight on Together, Love Athletes and Stand for Equality - serve as both a roadmap for our teams and the qualities expected of every teammate.

Our Values define and unite us, the beliefs that are the red thread that connects everyone at Under Armour. Our values are rallying cries, reminding us why we're here, and fueling everything we do.

Our pursuit of better begins with innovation and with our team's mission of being the best. With us, you get the freedom to go further - no matter your role. That means developing, delivering, and selling the state-of-the-art products and digital tools that make top performers even better.

Purpose of Role

The Head of Global Payroll leads Under Armour’s enterprise payroll function, overseeing end‑to‑end payroll operations for 15,000 teammates worldwide. This leader sets the global payroll strategy, elevates operational excellence, and drives modernization of payroll platforms, data flow, and processes. They partner closely with HR, Finance, Accounting, Tax, Legal, Technology, and regional leadership teams to build a scalable, compliant, digital-first payroll ecosystem. This leader owns payroll governance, vendor strategy, process optimization, analytics, risk management, and payroll experience across all regions.

Your Impact

Leadership & Strategy

• Develop and execute a global payroll strategy aligned with UA’s people, financial, and operational priorities.

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing global payroll organization with clear goals, capabilities, and succession planning.

• Champion a culture of data stewardship, operational discipline, and continuous improvement.

Global Payroll Operations

• Oversee accurate, compliant, and timely payroll delivery for all teammates across 25+ countries, ensuring consistency in global standards.

• Ensure compliance with all global, federal, state, and local payroll, tax, and wage regulations.

• Manage payroll governance, including global SOX controls, audits, quarterly certifications, and risk remediation.

Technology, Data & Process Modernization

• Own payroll and timekeeping platforms, partnering on system roadmap and integration strategy (e.g., ADP, Globalview, SuccessFactors EC, Workforce Management, Celergo).

• Drive modernization of global payroll data flow, automation, and AI‑enabled process improvement to reduce manual work and increase accuracy.

• Establish global KPIs and dashboards for payroll performance, efficiency, and service delivery.

Accounting Operations & Controls

• Partner with Accounting on monthly, quarterly, and year‑end close, ensuring payroll results are fully reconciled to the GL with clear ownership of all payroll‑related accounts (accruals, taxes, benefits, stock comp, bonuses, PTO, etc.).

• Align Payroll and Accounting SOX controls, ensuring end‑to‑end documentation across system interfaces, GL posting, and journal approval workflows.

• Ensure timely completion of quarterly and year‑end processes (e.g., 941s, W‑2s, annual statements).

• Collaborate with Accounting on process improvements, automation opportunities, and standardization of global financial processes tied to compensation.

Vendor, Stakeholder & Cross‑Functional Partnership

• Lead strategic management of global and regional payroll vendors, contracts, and service levels.

• Build strong cross‑functional relationships with HR, FP&A, Accounting, Tax, Legal, and Technology to support business needs and global expansion.

• Serve as subject matter expert on global workforce impacts on payroll.

Governance, Controls & Risk Management

• Ensure rigorous, documented processes, policies, and procedures across all regions.

• Oversee regular audits to validate accuracy of earnings, taxes, deductions, and compliance.

• Identify and mitigate risks proactively to protect the company and its employees.

Qualifications

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

• 12+ years of payroll experience, including global payroll and tax exposure.

• 5+ years of people leadership in a multinational organization.

• Experience in the retail industry or a similarly-complex organization.

• Experience managing relationships with payroll platforms, particularly ADP.

• Experience in accounting and corporate finance matters.

• Experience with SuccessFactors Employee Central is a plus.

• Experience leading enterprise-wide payroll transformations and system implementations.

• Deep and credible technical expertise

• Influences stakeholders to align on common objecties and decisions

• Develops the capabilities of the payroll team

• Creative and analytical; takes a practical approach to problem solving

• Excellent customer service focus and experience

• Communicates effectively with all levels of the organization

• Manages multiple projects and works in multiple systems simultaneously

• Responds flexibly as organizational requirements and systems change

• High degree of integrity, confidentiality, and discretion with sensitive data.

• Advanced Excel proficiency.

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) preferred.

Workplace Location

• Location: This individual must reside within commuting distance from our Baltimore (HQ) office.

• Work Schedule: This role follows a hybrid work schedule, requiring 4 days in-office per week.

Relocation

• No relocation provided

Base Compensation

$165,000.00-$220,000.00 USD

Most new hires fall within this range and have the opportunity to earn more over time. Initial placement within the salary range, however, is based on an individual's relevant knowledge, skills and experience for the position. UA is committed to helping our teammates succeed and advance in their careers. Base salary is only one component of our competitive Total Rewards package.

Benefits & Perks

• Paid "UA Give Back" Volunteer Days: Work alongside your team to support initiatives in your local community

• Under Armour Merchandise Discounts

• Competitive 401(k) plan matching

• Maternity and Parental Leave for eligible and FMLA-eligible teammates

• Health & fitness benefits, discounts and resources- We offer teammates across the country programs to promote physical activity and overall well-being

Our Commitment to Equal Opportunity

At Under Armour, we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, family or paternal status and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Under Armour seeks to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people representing a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact our Human Resources team via [e-mail].

Requisition ID: 164790

Location:

Remote, US

Business Unit: Corporate

Region: North America

Employee Class: Full Time

Employment Type: Salaried