Manager, Payroll

Zscaler; Santa Clara (CA); Hybrid; USD 119,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans

Time off

Parental leave

Retirement options

Education reimbursement

In-office perks

Job summary

Zscaler is seeking a Manager, Payroll to join our Hybrid team in Santa Clara, CA. You will lead end-to-end payroll operations for the US and Canada, ensuring regulatory compliance and financial integrity through cross-functional partnerships.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years of payroll experience in a public company, strong knowledge of US payroll regulations, and hands-on experience with Dayforce or Workday.

Qualifications

• Foundational understanding of AI/ML technologies and experience leveraging, securing, or positioning AI-driven solutions to optimize outcomes within your functional domain
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field, or equivalent professional experience
• 7+ years of progressive payroll experience, including significant US payroll oversight
• Proven experience managing payroll operations within a public company environment
• Strong knowledge of Federal, State, Local, and Provincial payroll regulations
• Proven ability to manage multiple tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment

Responsibilities

• Oversee and execute end-to-end payroll processing for US and Canada while serving as the primary approver for payroll review and manual payments
• Accurately calculate, report, and process US and Canada equity transactions including RSUs, NSOs, and ESPP, alongside non-recurring off-cycle pay runs
• Manage year-end payroll activities, including W2/T4 preparation and reconciliation
• Manage payroll-related quarter-end and year-end accounting close activities and support internal and external audits
• Develop and maintain payroll procedures, controls, documentation, and standard operating procedures to minimize compliance and operational risk

Skills

AI/ML knowledge

US payroll oversight

Public company payroll

Regulatory compliance

Cross-functional collaboration

Deadline management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Dayforce

Workday

Job description

About Zscaler

Zscaler accelerates digital transformation to ensure our customers can be more agile, efficient, resilient, and secure. As an AI-forward enterprise , we are constantly pushing the envelope, leveraging the world’s largest security data lake to power our cloud-native Zero Trust Exchange platform. This innovation protects our customers from cyberattacks and data loss by securely connecting users, devices, and applications in any location.

Here, impact in your role matters more than title and trust is built on results. We say, impact over activity. We seek innovators who actively use AI to amplify their impact and who thrive in an environment where we leverage intelligent systems to stay ahead of evolving threats. We believe in transparency and value constructive, honest debate —we’re focused on getting to the best ideas, faster. We build high-performing teams that can make an impact quickly and with high quality. To do this, we are building a culture of execution centered on customer obsession , collaboration, ownership, and accountability.

We value high-impact, high-accountability with a sense of urgency where you’re enabled to do your best work and embrace your potential. If you’re driven by purpose, thrive on solving complex challenges, and want to be part of the team that’s helping to secure the AI age, we invite you to bring your talents to Zscaler and help shape the future of cybersecurity.

Role

We are looking for a Manager, Payroll to join our team. This is a Hybrid role reporting to the Director, Global Payroll in the Global Payroll department. In this role, you will lead end-to-end payroll operations, ensure strict regulatory compliance across the US and Canada, and drive financial integrity through strategic cross-functional partnership.

What you’ll do (Role Expectations)

• Oversee and execute the end-to-end bi-weekly and semi-monthly payroll processing for US and Canada while serving as the primary approver for payroll review and manual payments
• Accurately calculate, report, and process US and Canada equity transactions including RSUs, NSOs, and ESPP, alongside non-recurring off-cycle pay runs
• Manage year-end payroll activities, including W2/T4 preparation and reconciliation
• Manage payroll-related quarter-end and year-end accounting close activities and support internal and external audits
• Develop and maintain payroll procedures, controls, documentation, and standard operating procedures to minimize compliance and operational risk

Who You Are (Success Profile)

• You act like an owner by operating with integrity, navigating seamlessly between high-level strategy and hands-on execution, and taking personal accountability for payroll outcomes.
• You are a problem-solver who is energized by complex challenges and driven to find efficient, compliant solutions that deliver massive organizational impact.
• You are a high-trust collaborator who embraces a culture of feedback, building deep trust across teams through open communication, candor, and respect.
• You are a continuous learner with a growth mindset, constantly seeking feedback and finding purpose in developing both yourself and your team.
• You operate with urgency and a strong bias for action, consistently delivering high-quality, high-impact results in a fast-paced environment.

What We’re Looking for (Minimum Qualifications)

• Foundational understanding of AI/ML technologies and experience leveraging, securing, or positioning AI-driven solutions to optimize outcomes within your functional domain
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience
• 7+ years of progressive payroll experience, including significant US payroll oversight
• Proven experience managing payroll operations within a public company environment
• Strong knowledge of Federal, State, Local, and Provincial payroll regulations
• Proven ability to manage multiple tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment

What Will Make You Stand Out (Preferred Qualifications)

• Direct experience utilizing Dayforce and Workday enterprise systems
• Demonstrated experience managing large, complex domestic and international employee populations
• Active Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation

#LI-Hybrid #LI-NH1

Zscaler’s salary ranges are benchmarked and are determined by role and level. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations and could be higher or lower based on a multitude of factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

The base salary range listed for this full-time position excludes commission/ bonus/ equity (if applicable) + benefits.

Base Pay Range

$119,000—$170,000 USD

At Zscaler, we are committed to building a team that reflects the communities we serve and the customers we work with. We foster an inclusive environment that values all backgrounds and perspectives, emphasizing collaboration and belonging. Join us in our mission to make doing business seamless and secure.

Our Benefits program is one of the most important ways we support our employees. Zscaler proudly offers comprehensive and inclusive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families throughout their life stages, including:

• Various health plans
• Time off plans for vacation and sick time
• Parental leave options
• Retirement options
• Education reimbursement
• In-office perks, and more!

Learn more about Zscaler’s hybrid working model and benefits here.

By applying for this role, you adhere to applicable laws, regulations, and Zscaler policies, including those related to security and privacy standards and guidelines.

Zscaler is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals. We strive to create a workplace where employees are treated with respect and have the chance to succeed. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy or related medical conditions), age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. See more information by clicking on the Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal link.

Pay Transparency

Zscaler complies with all applicable federal, state, and local pay transparency rules.

Zscaler is committed to providing reasonable support (called accommodations or adjustments) in our recruiting processes for candidates who are differently abled, have long term conditions, mental health conditions or sincerely held religious beliefs, or who are neurodivergent or require pregnancy-related support.