Regional Payroll Specialist - Americas

Oxford University Press; Cary (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Oxford University Press is seeking an experienced Regional Payroll Specialist - Americas to own payroll delivery for the US and Canada, while supporting payroll operations across the wider Americas region. The role sits within the global People Services team and focuses on accurate, compliant, and timely payroll processing for 800+ employees across 10 countries.

You will work with the Payroll Manager, UK & Americas, to ensure payroll compliance, drive process improvements, and support business

Qualifications

• Experience delivering multi-state US payrolls.
• Experience with payroll systems and third-party suppliers.
• Strong knowledge of US payroll legislation and regular and annual payroll processes.
• Problem-solving skills and ability to manage priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to review and improve processes continually.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (PivotTables, VLOOKUP, data analysis).
• Experience with non-US payroll delivery.
• Knowledge of SAP SuccessFactors and UKG is a plus.
• Knowledge of LATAM and Canadian payroll legislation.

Responsibilities

• Managing end-to-end outsourced payroll delivery for the US and Canada.
• Preparing, validating, and submitting data for twice-monthly payroll cycles.
• Ensuring accurate processing of benefits, deductions, leave arrangements, and employee lifecycle events.
• Managing payroll compliance, reporting, year-end activities, audits, and regulatory obligations.
• Acting as a key escalation point for payroll queries and complex payroll matters.
• Building strong relationships with payroll vendors and service providers.
• Supporting payroll processes across the wider Americas region.
• Identifying opportunities to improve, standardise, and document payroll practices.
• Leading and contributing to payroll projects, change initiatives, and continuous improvement activities.

Skills

Multi-state US payrolls

Payroll systems & third-party vendors

US payroll legislation

Problem solving

Process improvement

Communications

Advanced Excel

Non-US payroll delivery

SAP SuccessFactors / UKG knowledge

LATAM & Canadian payroll knowledge

Job description

We're looking for an experienced Regional Payroll Specialist - Americas to join our global People Services team. In this role, you'll take ownership of payroll delivery for our US and Canadian employees while supporting payroll operations across the wider Americas region, which spans 10 countries and more than 800 employees. You will be responsible for ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely payroll delivery by overseeing the end-to-end process.

Working closely with the Payroll Manager, UK & Americas, you'll play a key role in maintaining payroll compliance, driving process improvements, supporting business continuity, and helping shape a successful and compliant payroll service.

Key responsibilities:

• Managing end-to-end outsourced payroll delivery for the US and Canada.
• Preparing, validating, and submitting data for twice-monthly payroll cycles.
• Ensuring accurate processing of benefits, deductions, leave arrangements, and employee lifecycle events.
• Managing payroll compliance, reporting, year-end activities, audits, and regulatory obligations.
• Acting as a key escalation point for payroll queries and complex payroll matters.
• Building strong relationships with payroll vendors and service providers.
• Supporting payroll processes across the wider Americas region.
• Identifying opportunities to improve, standardise, and document payroll practices.
• Leading and contributing to payroll projects, change initiatives, and continuous improvement activities.

About You

You'll be an organised and detail-oriented payroll professional with strong technical expertise and a commitment to delivering exceptional service.

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and demonstrate strong ownership of assigned tasks for accurate, timely delivery of multi-state US payrolls.
• Experience of working with payroll systems and third-party suppliers.
• Solid understanding of the types of legislation relating to US payroll processing, and detailed knowledge of regular and annual payroll processes.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to manage priorities and deliver accurate results in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to understand processes and deliver continual review and improvement.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Higher level user of Microsoft Excel, including advanced functions such as Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP, data analysis, reporting, and reconciliation.
• Experience of non-US payroll delivery
• Knowledge of SAP SuccessFactors and UKG would be a distinct advantage
• Knowledge of legislation relating to LATAM and Canadian payroll processing