US Payroll & Payroll Transformation, Director

Condé Nast Germany; New York (NY); On-site; USD 155,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Condé Nast in New York seeks a senior payroll leader with 10+ years in US payroll operations and at least 5 years in leadership to transform and optimize our payroll practices using Workday. You will review biweekly payroll for all US employees, back-up the Payroll Supervisor, and manage pension payroll with strict compliance.

You will drive automation, ensure federal/state/local compliance, and collaborate across Finance, Benefits, and Technology to enhance processes and reporting.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in US payroll operations with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification.
• Strong Experience with Workday Payroll (configuration, reporting, testing, troubleshooting).
• Experience with Pension payroll preferred.
• Experience managing multi-state payroll, including tax filings.
• New York experience required; CA/IL a plus.

Responsibilities

• Own responsibility for final review, approval, and transmission of biweekly payroll for all US employees.
• Lead and support the Payroll Supervisor; provide hands-on back-up.
• Oversee the monthly pension pay cycle and year-end reporting.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations.
• Optimize Workday Payroll configurations, audits, and integrations with Technology Team.
• Adopt new Workday releases to improve payroll processes and employee experience.
• Develop payroll metrics and cost-saving insights for leadership.
• Provide exceptional customer service by addressing payroll inquiries.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical skills

Compliance knowledge

Multistate payroll

Education

Bachelor’s in Accounting/Finance

CPP certification

Tools

Workday Payroll

ADP Smart Compliance

JPM

Job description

Condé Nast is one of the world’s most renowned media publishing companies, creating and distributing every type of media today, spanning print and digital publishing in all formats. With a portfolio of some of today’s most influential brands, the company continues to grow its audience through a global operational and content infrastructure across its 12 owned and operated markets. Headquartered in New York City, the company’s owned and operated markets include China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico & Latin America, Spain, Taiwan, UAE/Dubai, the U.K., and the U.S., with additional local license partners in over twenty additional markets across the globe. Lead brands include Vogue, The New Yorker, GQ, Architectural Digest, Condé Nast Traveler, Vanity Fair, Wired, Allure, Ars Technica, Bon Appétit, House & Garden, Pitchfork, Tatler, and Vogue Business.

Job Description

Location:

New York, NY

US Payroll is responsible for ensuring employees and retirees are paid accurately and timely with correct withholding and deductions. In addition, this role is heavily focused on transformation, automation, and modernization of payroll practices utilizing Workday.

• Own responsibility for the final review, approval, and transmission of the biweekly payroll for all US regular and temporary employees, both exempt and non‑exempt, ensuring timely and accurate execution.
• Lead and support the Payroll Supervisor, who is responsible for the day-to-day processing of the biweekly payroll and acts as back‑up for this role.
• Act as hands‑on back‑up for the Payroll Supervisor, working efficiently and accurately to perform any and all essential payroll tasks as needed.
• Oversee, manage, and process the monthly pension pay cycle including, but not limited to, implementing new/updated payments, ceasing payments, updating payments to beneficiaries, updating direct deposits, processing income tax withholding forms, and year‑end reporting.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll laws, including wage and hour laws, tax regulations, and reporting requirements. Stay informed on changes in payroll regulations to ensure company payroll practices remain accurate.
• Ensure compliance with the Union Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• Lead high-impact transformational projects to align compliance, best practices and modernization.
• Continue to optimize Workday Payroll system, including payroll configurations, audits, and troubleshooting, while coordinating and working closely with the Technology Team to automate and modernize processes.
• Proactive evaluation and adoption of Workday releases of new features to benefit the payroll team and provide the best employee experience.
• Monitor Workday Time and Attendance system to ensure accurate, timely processing of non‑exempt regular and temporary employee pay.
• Work closely with vendors and the internal Technology Team to maintain integrations and implement updates as needed.
• Serve as a key liaison between Finance, Benefits, Compensation, Technology, and Advance Teams to streamline payroll processes and resolve issues effectively.
• Respond promptly and accurately to all Advance requests including, but not limited to, audits, benefits renewals, workers compensation reporting, and Family Office actions.
• Perform other payroll audits, reconciliations, and reporting as needed, ensuring accuracy in tax filings and year‑end processes (e.g., W‑2s, 941s, etc.).
• Complete periodic (biweekly, monthly, quarterly, annual) and ad‑hoc reporting for various stakeholders.
• Update and maintain the application of employee and employer payroll taxes.
• Monitor, update, and maintain company Federal, State, and Local payroll tax profiles and filings as needed through ADP Smart Compliance.
• Approve check requests for Accounts Payable to remit garnishment payments to the applicable agencies.
• Monitor outstanding payroll checks through JPM and work with Advance for escheatments.
• Establish and evaluate payroll Standard Operating Procedures and payroll policies (including internal controls to maintain accuracy and prevent compliance risks) as needed. Work closely with the Payroll Supervisor to maintain accurate, up‑to‑date documentation.
• Develop and maintain payroll metrics and reporting to provide insights and support cost savings for leadership.
• Create and maintain employee/manager facing Job Aids to assist with general payroll tasks.
• Provide exceptional customer service by addressing employee payroll inquiries and resolving issues promptly.
• Train and mentor the Payroll Supervisor, fostering a high‑performance and compliance‑driven culture.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in US payroll operations, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification
• Strong experience with Workday Payroll (configuration, reporting, testing, troubleshooting, etc.). Minimum one year hands‑on experience including tasks such as creating/maintaining earnings codes and updating/applying payroll taxes.
• Ability to perform all tasks with a strong focus on legal and regulatory compliance.
• Experience with Pension payroll preferred.
• Expert knowledge of US payroll laws, tax regulations, wage and hour laws, and compliance requirements.
• Experience managing multi‑state payroll, including tax filings and state registrations. New York experience required. California and Illinois experience a plus.
• Experience with managing and monitoring tasks in ADP Smart Compliance, such as, but not limited to: SUI rates, state and local registrations, year‑end reporting (W‑2s, W‑2Cs, etc.), and reconciling amounts.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to identify, plan, and implement process improvements.
• Ability to manage payroll audits, reconciliations, and reporting effectively and efficiently.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and ability to handle sensitive information with absolute confidentiality.
• Exceptional client service and communication skills, with a proactive and employee‑focused mindset.
• Operational risk and cost avoidance mind set.
• Data and metrics driven.

The expected base salary range for this position is from $155,000-$170,000. Salary offers are based on a wide range of factors including but not limited to relevant skills, training, experience, and education.

Condé Nast is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, familial status and other legally protected characteristics.