Senior Manager, Payroll

Asana; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Asana is seeking a strategic Senior Manager, Payroll to lead our US and Canada payroll function from San Francisco. You will ensure payroll continuity, compliance, and scalable processes during a period of growth, while mentoring and developing the payroll team in a hybrid office setting.

You’ll collaborate with Accounting, HR, and Tax to manage reconciliations, SOX controls, and audits, while driving automation and improving payroll policies across multi-state operations.

Qualifications

• Experience leading payroll in a public company or large multi-state environment.
• Deep knowledge of US and Canada payroll regulations and internal controls.
• Proven ability to partner with Accounting, HR, Tax, and Legal.

Responsibilities

• Lead accurate, timely processing of US and Canada payrolls across multiple states and provinces.
• Serve as the payroll subject matter expert on complex matters and policy development.
• Enhance payroll processes, automation, SOX controls, and audit readiness.
• Maintain payroll documentation and strengthen internal controls.
• Collaborate with Accounting on reconciliations, accruals, and month-end close.
• Manage payroll vendors and external service relationships for excellence.
• Mentor and develop the payroll team with proactive knowledge sharing.

Skills

Payroll leadership

SOX compliance

Multi-state payroll

Team development

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

Payroll software

Job description

Our Finance team tracks and seeks to understand the factors driving our growth and success. We help our entire organization achieve our operational and financial goals while embodying our company values. We ensure our objectives are feasible and work closely with all teams to ensure they have the resources they need to achieve our ambitious mission enabling all teams to work together effortlessly. We are looking for a strategic and hands-on Senior Manager, Payroll to lead our US and Canada payroll function. In this role, you will serve as the company's payroll subject matter expert, ensuring payroll continuity, compliance, and scalable processes during an exciting period of growth while empowering and developing your team.

This role is based in our San Francisco office with an office-centric hybrid schedule. The standard in-office days are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Most Asanas have the option to work from home on Wednesdays. Working from home on Fridays depends on the type of work you do and the teams with which you partner. If you're interviewing for this role, your recruiter will share more about the in-office requirements.

What you’ll achieve

• Lead the accurate and timely processing of multi-state US and Canada payrolls while ensuring compliance with federal, state, local, and provincial regulations.
• Serve as the company's primary subject matter expert and resource for complex payroll matters.
• Maintain and strengthen payroll processes, automation, SOX controls, payroll policies, and internal audit readiness.
• Keep comprehensive payroll documentation, procedures, and internal controls current and audit-ready.
• Partner closely with Accounting on payroll reconciliations, accruals, journal entries, and month-end close activities.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with HR, Finance, Tax, Legal, and external payroll providers to support seamless operations, M&A activities, and international expansion.
• Manage payroll vendors and external service relationships to maintain operational excellence.
• Empower, mentor, and develop the payroll team through open, compassionate communication and proactive knowledge sharing.

About you

• Demonstrates curiosity about AI tools and emerging technologies, with a willingness to learn and leverage them to enhance productivity, collaboration, or decision-making.
• Progressive leadership experience in payroll management, including direct people management and team development.
• Deep experience leading payroll operations and SOX compliance within a publicly traded company environment.
• Deep functional expertise in multi-state US and Canada payroll regulations, payroll accounting, and internal controls.
• Proven track record of operating strategically while remaining close to day-to-day execution.
• Exceptional communication skills with a demonstrated ability to build cross-functional trust and resolve conflict constructively