People Advisory Services - Global Payroll Operate - Senior Analyst

Ernst & Young Advisory Services Sdn Bhd; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); On-site; USD 71,000 - 133,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental coverage

Pension and 401(k)

Generous paid time off

Hybrid work model

Job summary

EY in Chicago is seeking a Senior Analyst for Global Payroll Operate. You will participate in global payroll activities, support sales and service opportunities, and collaborate across regions to ensure compliant, accurate payroll operations.

The role emphasizes governance, data accuracy, and continuous process improvement across jurisdictions. The successful candidate will have a strong payroll/tax background, a bachelor’s degree, 4+ years of relevant experience, and a willingness to travel in

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and relevant post-graduate qualification, preferable with an emphasis in accounting, business or finance
• Four or more years of relevant payroll and/or tax experience or equivalent experience in business or industry
• Possesses an approved HR or business-related certification, or is actively progressing toward one—including SHRM‑CP/SHRM‑SCP; PHR, SPHR, or GPHR through HRCI; Certified Payroll Professional (APA); a Master’s in Business Administration; or the EY Tech MBA
• Understanding of payroll or other related finance /HR activities
• Excellent organizational, project management, technology, Microsoft tools and verbal/written communication skills with a proactive approach to problem solving
• Willingness to travel as needed, and working in a balanced hybrid environment

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of complex global payroll programs, ensuring governance frameworks, service management standards, and project delivery consistently exceed client expectations
• Maintain proactive engagement with EY global payroll teams and senior client stakeholders to ensure seamless, timely, and accurate payroll execution across all jurisdictions
• Respond to payroll and governance payroll queries from clients and internal global stakeholders
• Oversee the development and maintenance of comprehensive global payroll calendars, ensuring alignment of all delivery milestones, data collection timelines, and stakeholder responsibilities
• Drive process efficiency by coordinating with cross border EY teams to standardize and optimize data exchange
• Lead payroll accuracy assurance through governance reviews and audit oversight, partnering with country teams to identify defects and implement corrective actions
• Direct the creation, standardization, and annual audit of global payroll process and procedure documentation
• Provide high level training, enablement, and thought leadership on global payroll tools, governance models, and client specific operational frameworks

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree and relevant post-graduate qualification

Job description

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People Advisory Services - Global Payroll Operate - Senior Analyst

Location: Chicago

Other locations: Anywhere in Region

Date: Aug 14, 2026

Requisition ID: 1727306

Location: Chicago,Miami, Dallas, Atlanta, New York, Iselin

At EY, we’re all in to shape your future with confidence.

We’ll help you succeed in a globally connected powerhouse of diverse teams and take your career wherever you want it to go. Join EY and help to build a better working world.

The opportunity

Ernst & Young LLP's National Tax and EY EDGE practices are made up of teams of professionals providing specific tax technical services to US and global clients. EDGE stands for Exceptional Delivery and Growth Engine because this team operates in a technical environment with deep process and service delivery experience that distinguishes the EY organization in the marketplace.

Our Global Payroll Operate practice focuses on helping our clients effectively manage their global payroll needs proactively and responsibly in 150+ countries. Our quality service and technical network enable you to help clients reduce inefficiencies, mitigate risk and drive process improvement within their payroll functions. We believe that by managing clients' payroll obligations, we can make a critical difference, and you'll be at the heart of this mission.

Our market-leading approach combines extensive local payroll service experience with a standard global payroll compliance and implementation methodology. With engagements involving a few countries or many, you will have the opportunity to provide clients with an integrated, consistent, quality service that unlocks the potential of the payroll function across the entire process.

Your key responsibilities

In a fully global environment, the Tax Services Senior Analyst in Global Payroll Operate will actively participate in all activities within the Global Payroll Operate function. This includes supporting sales and service opportunities under the guidance of a PPMD, Senior Manager or Manager in the group. This role involves collaborating across global regions to ensure compliance, accuracy, and efficiency in payroll operations, while contributing to process improvements and client service excellence.

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of complex global payroll programs, ensuring governance frameworks, service management standards, and project delivery consistently exceed client expectations.
• Maintain proactive engagement with EY global payroll teams and senior client stakeholders to ensure seamless, timely, and accurate payroll execution across all jurisdictions.
• Respond to payroll and governance payroll queries from clients and internal global stakeholders
• Oversee the development and maintenance of comprehensive global payroll calendars, ensuring alignment of all delivery milestones, data collection timelines, and stakeholder responsibilities. Drive process efficiency by coordinating with cross border EY teams to standardize and optimize data exchange.
• Develop client payroll calendar detailing all payroll delivery activities and dates; support the collection of client data and work with global EY teams
• Lead payroll accuracy assurance through governance reviews and audit oversight, partnering with country teams to identify defects, determine root causes, and implement sustainable corrective actions aligned with global quality standards.
• Direct the creation, standardization, and annual audit of global payroll process and procedure documentation, ensuring all client specific requirements, compliance obligations, and operational controls remain current and fully aligned with leading practices.
• Provide high level training, enablement, and thought leadership on global payroll tools, governance models, and client specific operational frameworks to worldwide EY country payroll teams, supporting capability uplift and consistent service delivery across the network.

Skills and attributes for success

• Strong analytical, interpersonal, and written and verbal communication skills; problem-solving ability and attention to detail
• Excellent communication, presentation and client service skills

To qualify for the role, you must have

• Bachelor's degree and relevant post-graduate qualification, preferable with an emphasis in accounting, business or finance
• Four or more years of relevant payroll and/or tax experience or equivalent experience in business or industry
• Possesses an approved HR or business-related certification, or is actively progressing toward one—including SHRM‑CP/SHRM‑SCP; PHR, SPHR, or GPHR through HRCI; Certified Payroll Professional (APA); a Master’s in Business Administration; or the EY Tech MBA
• Understanding of payroll or other related finance /HR activities
• Excellent organizational, project management, technology, Microsoft tools and verbal/written communication skills with a proactive approach to problem solving
• Ability to develop a thorough understanding of EY methodologies and tools to enhance service delivery
• Willingness to travel as needed, and working in a balanced hybrid environment

Ideally, you'll also have

• Second language is beneficial
• Basic AI knowledge

What we look for

We're interested in professionals with the drive to take on new responsibilities and projects. You'll need the confidence to speak up with your own creative thoughts on a wide range of areas. You'll also have the opportunity to achieve your potential by being given professional development opportunities and experiences with clients across geographies. If you're keen to play a pivotal role within a highly focused global payroll operate team, this role is for you.

What we offer you
At EY, we’ll develop you with future-focused skills and equip you with world-class experiences. We’ll empower you in a flexible environment, and fuel you and your extraordinary talents in a diverse and inclusive culture of globally connected teams. Learnmore .

• We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to the business. The base salary range for this job in all geographic locations in the US is $71,000 to $117,100. The base salary range for New York City Metro Area, Washington State and California (excluding Sacramento) is $85,100 to $133,100. Individual salaries within those ranges are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, skills and geography. In addition, our Total Rewards package includes medical and dental coverage, pension and 401(k) plans, and a wide range of paid time off options.
• Join us in our team-led and leader-enabled hybrid model. Our expectation is for most people in external, client serving roles to work together in person 60% of the time over the course of an engagement, project or year.
• Under our flexible vacation policy, you’ll decide how much vacation time you need based on your own personal circumstances. You’ll also be granted time off for designated EY Paid Holidays, Winter/Summer breaks, Personal/Family Care, and other leaves of absence when needed to support your physical, financial, and emotional well-being.

Are you ready to shape your future with confidence? Apply today.
EY accepts applications for this position on an on-going basis.

For those living in California, please click here for additional information.

EY focuses on high-ethical standards and integrity among its employees and expects all candidates to demonstrate these qualities.

EY | Building a better working world

EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets.

Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow.

EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions. Fueled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi-disciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories.

EY provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, genetic information,national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other legally protected basis, including arrest and conviction records, in accordance with applicable law.

EY is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities including veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and either need assistance applying online or need to request an accommodation during any part of the application process, please call 1-800-EY-HELP3, select Option 2 for candidate related inquiries, then select Option 1 for candidate queries and finally select Option 2 for candidates with an inquiry which will route you to EY’s Talent Shared Services Team (TSS) or email the TSS at [e-mail] .

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients.

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