Global Payroll Leader, International Compliance

unybrands; United States; On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

unybrands is seeking a Head of Global Payroll to lead payroll operations for our international workforce. You will oversee US, Germany, UK, and China cycles with external partners, ensuring accuracy and compliance across regions.

The role requires deep regulatory knowledge, hands-on experience across multiple countries, and collaboration with HR, Finance, and vendors. You will drive automation, audit readiness, and scalable processes to support rapid growth.

Qualifications

• 6–8+ years of payroll management or accounting experience in an international/high-growth environment.
• 2+ years of hands-on global payroll across multiple countries
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field
• Knowledge of US federal/state/local payroll regs, payroll taxes, wage/hour requirements, year-end reporting
• Familiarity with US, German, UK, or China payroll preferred
• Experience with Rippling or other payroll systems is a plus
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills
• Fluent in English; German is a significant plus

Responsibilities

• Own payroll processing for US, Germany, UK, and China with external partners (ADP, Rippling, etc.)
• Audit payroll data including hires, terminations, promotions, transfers, compensation changes, timekeeping, commissions, bonuses, and deductions
• Oversee multi-state US payroll operations across weekly, bi-weekly, and semi-monthly cycles ensuring compliance
• Review and approve payroll results, reconciliations, funding reports, tax filings, and year-end reporting
• Maintain accurate payroll records and serve as primary contact for payroll inquiries
• Ensure compliance with payroll regulations across jurisdictions (US, UK, Germany, China)
• Process payroll accounting entries in NetSuite; GL reconciliations and month-end close
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, and vendors on benefits, system integrations, reporting
• Identify and implement process improvements, automation, dashboards, and system enhancements
• Support audits and SOX and internal control requirements
• Support HR lifecycle processes across regions

Skills

Global payroll experience

Accounting/Finance knowledge

Data analysis

Communication skills

English fluency

German language

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance/HR/business

Tools

Rippling

NetSuite ERP

Job description

unybrands is seeking a Head of Global Payroll to lead payroll operations for our international workforce. You will oversee US, Germany, UK, and China cycles with external partners, ensuring accuracy and compliance across regions.

The role requires deep regulatory knowledge, hands-on experience across multiple countries, and collaboration with HR, Finance, and vendors. You will drive automation, audit readiness, and scalable processes to support rapid growth.