Head of Global Payroll

Frazer Jones; New York (NY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

This is a high-visibility role focused on building a scalable global payroll operating model, managing vendor relationships, governance, and risk while supporting strategic organizational changes and global expansion.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading payroll within a complex, global organization.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. payroll with exposure to international payroll operations.
• Proven ability to partner effectively with senior stakeholders across HR and Finance.
• Experience improving payroll processes, systems, or operating models.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee global payroll operations across multiple countries and jurisdictions.
• Ensure payroll is processed accurately, efficiently, and in accordance with local regulatory requirements.
• Manage and develop a team of payroll professionals while establishing strong operational standards and controls.
• Oversee relationships with external payroll providers and other third-party partners.
• Partner with HR, Finance, Tax, Legal, and related functions on payroll matters.
• Establish and enhance payroll governance, controls, reporting, and documentation.
• Identify opportunities to streamline, automate, and improve payroll processes and systems.
• Support global expansion, organizational changes, and other strategic initiatives impacting payroll.
• Manage escalated or complex payroll matters involving senior stakeholders.
• Provide leadership around payroll technology, data integrity, compliance, and risk management.
• Drive continuous improvement and help build a scalable global payroll operating model.

Skills

Global payroll leadership

Stakeholder management

Regulatory compliance

Process improvement

Leadership

Job description

A leading global organization is seeking an experienced Head of Global Payroll to oversee and evolve its global payroll function. This individual will have responsibility for payroll operations across multiple regions and will play a key leadership role in ensuring accurate, compliant, and efficient payroll delivery.

The ideal candidate combines deep payroll expertise with strong leadership, operational, and stakeholder management skills. This is a highly visible position that will partner closely with senior leaders across Human Resources, Finance, Tax, Legal, and other corporate functions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee global payroll operations across multiple countries and jurisdictions.
• Ensure payroll is processed accurately, efficiently, and in accordance with local regulatory requirements.
• Manage and develop a team of payroll professionals while establishing strong operational standards and controls.
• Oversee relationships with external payroll providers and other third-party partners.
• Partner closely with HR, Finance, Tax, Legal, and related functions on payroll matters.
• Establish and enhance payroll governance, controls, reporting, and documentation.
• Identify opportunities to streamline, automate, and improve payroll processes and systems.
• Support global expansion, organizational changes, and other strategic initiatives impacting payroll.
• Manage escalated or complex payroll matters involving senior stakeholders.
• Provide leadership around payroll technology, data integrity, compliance, and risk management.
• Drive continuous improvement and help build a scalable global payroll operating model.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading payroll within a complex, global organization.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. payroll with exposure to international payroll operations.
• Demonstrated experience managing payroll teams, vendors, systems, and controls.
• Experience working across multiple countries and legal entities strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of payroll compliance, governance, and operational risk.
• Proven ability to partner effectively with senior stakeholders across HR and Finance.
• Experience improving or transforming payroll processes, systems, or operating models.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, highly professional environment.