Head of Payroll- North America

Variant Partners; Michigan; On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Variant Partners is seeking a Head of Payroll for North America to lead payroll operations for the US and Mexico from the Metro Detroit area. You will ensure accuracy, compliance, and efficiency across complex payroll processes.

The role requires SAP Payroll expertise and ADP oversight, with a focus on cross-functional collaboration with Legal, HR, Finance, and IT to resolve issues and drive improvements. A bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of payroll leadership are expected.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of payroll leadership experience across multi-country operations.
• Strong knowledge of US and Mexico payroll compliance and tax rules.
• Experience with SAP Payroll and ADP platforms.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and standardize payroll processes for US and Mexico operations.
• Serve as SAP Payroll expert for Mexico; manage US payroll via ADP.
• Lead payroll audits to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Coach and support a multinational payroll team across regions.
• Partner with Legal, HR, Finance, and IT to resolve issues and improve processes.
• Deliver payroll analytics and cost forecasts to support business decisions.
• Travel to Mexico during onboarding period and as needed.

Skills

Payroll leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytics

Education

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

Tools

SAP Payroll

ADP

Job description

A leading global manufacturer serving the automotive industry is seeking a Head of Payroll- North America to join their expanding team in the Metro Detroit, MI area. This position plays a critical role in ensuring accurate, compliant, and efficient payroll operations.

Why work here?

This organization is known for its long-standing presence in the automotive space, offering stability and a strong commitment to innovation. With a culture that values collaboration, initiative, and continuous improvement, this company provides the tools and support needed to succeed in a fast-paced, forward-thinking environment. Employees enjoy competitive benefits, professional growth opportunities, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on high-visibility programs.

Responsibilities

The Head of Payroll is responsible for leading payroll operations across North America, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and process efficiency across both U.S. and Mexico operations:

• Oversee and standardize payroll processes for both U.S. and Mexico operations
• Serve as the SAP Payroll key expert for Mexico and oversee U.S. payroll via ADP
• Ensure payroll accuracy and lead payroll-related audits
• Manage, coach, and support a multinational payroll team
• Partner cross-functionally with Legal, HR, Finance, and IT to resolve issues
• Deliver payroll data, analytics, and cost forecasts to support business decisions
• Travel to Mexico during onboarding period and thereafter as needed

Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in HR, Accounting, Finance, or related field
• 5+ years of payroll experience, with at least 2 years in a leadership role
• Strong knowledge of SAP Payroll (mandatory) and ADP (preferred)
• Experience managing payroll in both the U.S. and Mexico
• Deep understanding of local labor and tax compliance requirements

This individual will need to reside in, or be readily available to relocate to Michigan.