Senior Manager, Payroll and Compensation Tax

Caterpillar; Peoria (IL); On-site; USD 148,000 - 222,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Tuition Reimbursement

Life Insurance

Parental leave

Adoption benefits

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. is seeking a Senior Manager, Payroll and Compensation Tax to lead U.S. payroll and compensation tax activities and partner with the enterprise on strategic tax matters.

The role requires accounting, tax expertise, leadership, and strong vendor management in a dynamic global environment. You will support payroll tax compliance, international assignee programs, and mobility-related tax issues.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, tax, business or related field with 8+ years in tax, payroll tax, or finance.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local tax regulations and payroll tax compliance.
• Ability to evaluate tax consequences and advise business partners on complex matters.
• Strong analytical and research capabilities; experience interpreting legislation and guidance.
• Effective communication of complex tax concepts to diverse audiences and decision-makers.
• Understanding of how tax decisions impact business operations and risk management.
• Experience leading teams and driving results through collaboration and accountability.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a small team with coaching and mentoring.
• Provide payroll and compensation tax advisory to business partners.
• Oversee U.S. payroll tax compliance and information reporting.
• Manage responses to payroll tax notices, audits, and inquiries.
• Lead process improvements and digital transformation initiatives.
• Partner across HR, Payroll, Finance, Legal, and accounting functions.
• Support payroll tax accounting activities and forecasting.

Skills

Leadership

Tax Knowledge

Communication

Analytical Thinking

Business Acumen

Project Management

Vendor Management

Cross-functional Collaboration

Problem Solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance/tax/business

Tools

ADP MasterTax Administration

Sovos Information Reporting

Payroll Systems

Financial Systems

Data Analytics Tools

Job description

Career Area:

Finance

Job Description:

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.

As a Senior Manager, Payroll and Compensation Tax within Caterpillar's Global Tax organization, you will lead U.S. payroll and compensation tax activities while serving as a strategic business partner across the enterprise. This role provides tax advisory and compliance support to Payroll, Human Resources, Finance, Treasury, Legal, and business teams on a broad range of payroll, employment, compensation, and mobility-related tax matters.

The successful candidate will combine accounting, technical tax expertise, leadership capabilities, vendor management and business acumen to support business initiatives, manage tax risk, drive process improvements, and develop tax professionals in a dynamic global environment. This role is part of Caterpillar's Global Tax team and supports enterprise-wide payroll and compensation tax strategies. The responsibilities align with the Compensation Tax organization's scope supporting payroll tax compliance, information reporting, international assignee programs, and business traveler initiatives.

What You Will Do:

• Lead and develop a small team by providing coaching, mentoring, technical guidance, and development opportunities.
• Provide payroll and compensation tax advisory support to business partners on employee programs, payroll processes, legal settlements, mergers and acquisitions, business traveler activities, and other tax-related matters.
• Oversee U.S. federal, state, and local payroll tax compliance, including employment tax filings, information reporting, tax payments, amended returns, and related compliance processes.
• Manage responses to payroll tax notices, audits, examinations, and inquiries from taxing authorities.
• Manage outsourced vendor relationships and software utilized including the following for U.S. tax compliance
  • ADP MasterTax Administration: Payroll tax compliance and payment payments.
  • Sovos Information Reporting: Manage Form 1099 reporting and compliance activities
• Research and analyze tax legislation, regulatory developments, and emerging tax issues to determine business impacts and recommend practical solutions.
• Partner with Payroll, Human Resources, Finance, Treasury, Accounting, Legal, and external advisors to evaluate tax implications of business decisions and operational activities.
• Subject Matter Expert on the multi-year cross functional Global Payroll Transformation project.
• Support payroll tax accounting activities, including reconciliations, journal entries, accruals, and forecasting processes.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on simplifying processes, improving data quality, strengthening controls, and leveraging digital capabilities.
• Support enterprise objectives through effective risk management, process standardization, and stakeholder collaboration.
• Influence business decisions and drive successful outcomes through technical expertise, business partnership, and effective communication.

What You Have:

• Education/Experience: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Tax, Business, or a related field and 8+ years of progressively responsible tax, payroll tax, accounting, or finance experience.
• Tax Operations: Knowledge of federal, state, and local tax regulations with experience supporting tax compliance, reporting, audits, and operational processes.
• Tax Advisory: Ability to evaluate tax consequences, communicate recommendations, and support business partners on complex tax matters.
• Research Analysis: Strong analytical and research capabilities with experience interpreting legislation, regulations, and technical guidance.
• Effective Communications: Ability to communicate complex tax concepts clearly and effectively to a wide range of audiences while influencing decision-making.
• Business Acumen: Understanding of how tax decisions impact business operations, financial results, risk management, and strategic objectives.
• Leadership: Experience leading teams, developing talent, managing priorities, managing projects and driving results through collaboration and accountability.
• Problem Solving: Demonstrated ability to analyze issues, evaluate alternatives, and develop practical business solutions.

Top Candidates Will Have:

• CPA certification, IRS Enrolled Agent (EA) designation, or progress toward obtaining a professional credential.
• Experience within a Fortune 500 or multinational organization.
• Payroll tax, employment tax, compensation tax, vendor management, or global mobility tax experience.
• Experience supporting federal, state, and local tax audits and controversy matters.
• Experience leading process improvement, automation, or digital transformation initiatives.
• Experience collaborating across Human Resources, Payroll, Finance, Legal, and accounting functions.
• Knowledge of payroll systems, financial systems, data analytics, and reporting tools.

Summary Pay Range:

$147,760.00 - $221,640.00

Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar.

Benefits:

Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits*

• Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*

• 401(k) savings plans*

• Health Savings Account (HSA)*

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*

• Health Lifestyle Programs*

• Employee Assistance Program*

• Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*

• Career Development*

• Incentive bonus*

• Disability benefits

• Life Insurance

• Parental leave

• Adoption benefits

• Tuition Reimbursement

* These benefits also apply to part-time employees

This position requires working onsite five days a week.

Relocation is available for this position.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Posting Dates:

October 5, 2026 - October 16, 2026

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.