VP Payroll

Northbound Executive Search; New York (NY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 285,000; Full time

Job summary

Northbound Executive Search is seeking a seasoned Vice President, Payroll to lead the Firm’s payroll operations. You will oversee U.S. payroll, drive governance, and partner with HCM, Finance, and external providers to ensure accurate, compliant processing.

You will manage multi‑state payroll, implement scalable controls, and contribute to global payroll initiatives while supporting audits and year‑end activities.

Qualifications

• 7+ years progressive, hands-on payroll experience.
• Deep knowledge of U.S. multi-state payroll and regulatory requirements.
• Experience with Workday Payroll or similar platforms.
• Experience with outsourced payroll providers is a plus.
• Advanced Excel skills for reconciliations and data analysis.
• Payroll certification (CPP/FPC) is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and execute U.S. semi-monthly, monthly, and off-cycle payrolls.
• Ensure payroll accuracy, timeliness, and governance across entities.
• Develop scalable payroll processes for growth and international expansion.
• Maintain payroll controls, reconciliations, and audit readiness.
• Collaborate with HCM, Finance, Tax, Benefits, and external providers.
• Prepare payroll data for general ledger and audits.
• Support year-end tax reporting and W‑2 processing.

Skills

Payroll experience

US multi-state payroll

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Ownership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Workday Payroll

TriNet

Safeguard

TMF

Job description

We are seeking a highly experienced, hands-on payroll professional to serve as Vice President, Payroll. This role will oversee the execution, governance, and continuous improvement of the Firm’s payroll operations, with primary responsibility for U.S. payroll and involvement in broader global payroll initiatives.

This is a senior operational role for someone who is comfortable managing the payroll process from start to finish, solving complex issues, strengthening controls, and partnering closely with Human Capital Management, Finance, Accounting, Tax, Benefits, Compensation, and external payroll providers.

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in multi-state, multi-entity payroll, strong knowledge of payroll tax and regulatory requirements, and a track record of improving processes within a complex, fast‑paced organization.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Operations

• Oversee and execute the Firm’s U.S. semi-monthly, monthly, and off-cycle payroll activities, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on schedule.
• Manage payroll activity across a complex employee population, including regular wages, bonuses, overtime, reimbursements, one‑time payments, equity‑related transactions, dividend equivalents, and other compensation events.
• Support payroll requirements across multiple entities and jurisdictions, while contributing to the development of scalable processes for continued growth and potential international expansion.
• Review payroll inputs, validate payroll calculations, and perform detailed reconciliations prior to final payroll submission.
• Manage off‑cycle payrolls and special payment events as required.
• Oversee the processing of equity‑related payroll transactions, including RSUs, clawbacks, tax adjustments, and corrected tax documentation when necessary.
• Review employee data and system transactions, including new hires, terminations, direct deposit changes, tax elections, timekeeping information, leaves of absence, and other payroll‑impacting events.
• Interpret and apply internal compensation and pay policies to ensure payroll calculations and deductions are handled appropriately.

Payroll Tax, Compliance & Controls

• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations.
• Monitor payroll‑related legislation and regulatory developments and assess the impact on payroll practices, procedures, and systems.
• Review the accuracy of tax withholdings, garnishments, benefit deductions, and other employee deductions.
• Research and resolve payroll tax notices and work with internal stakeholders and external providers to address issues promptly.
• Establish and maintain effective payroll controls, audit procedures, and reconciliation processes.
• Support internal and external audits, including payroll tax, financial statement, and workers’ compensation audits.
• Ensure appropriate payroll records are maintained in accordance with legal, regulatory, and internal retention requirements.
• Handle confidential employee and compensation information with the highest level of discretion and integrity.

Process Improvement & Documentation

• Evaluate existing payroll processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, scalability, and internal controls.
• Develop and maintain detailed standard operating procedures, payroll calendars, process documentation, checklists, and other operational materials.
• Help build a consistent and scalable payroll framework that can support organizational growth, additional entities, and evolving business needs.
• Participate in system enhancements, payroll integrations, vendor transitions, and other payroll‑related projects.
• Drive practical solutions to recurring issues and proactively identify risks before they impact payroll processing.
• Partner with Finance and Accounting to provide payroll funding requirements, payroll reports, reconciliations, and supporting documentation.
• Prepare and deliver payroll data for general ledger activity, financial reporting, annual audits, and other business requirements.
• Support year‑end payroll activities, including tax reporting, W‑2 processing, corrections, and related reconciliation work.
• Provide reporting and analysis to stakeholders across HCM, Compensation, Benefits, Tax, Finance, and other internal teams.
• Utilize advanced Excel and reporting capabilities to analyze payroll data, investigate discrepancies, and support decision‑making.

Global Payroll & Cross‑Functional Partnership

• Partner with internal stakeholders and external payroll providers to support effective payroll operations across multiple locations and entities.
• Collaborate with HCM Operations, HR Business Partners, Finance, Accounting, Tax, Benefits, Compensation, and other teams to resolve payroll matters and improve end‑to‑end processes.
• Coordinate with payroll vendors and third‑party providers, including Workday and other outsourced payroll partners, to ensure effective service delivery.
• Support broader global payroll initiatives, including process standardization, governance, documentation, and compliance requirements across jurisdictions.
• Contribute to pension, retirement, and benefit‑related payroll administration as applicable.
• Respond to complex employee and stakeholder escalations and take ownership of issues through resolution.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related discipline; relevant equivalent experience will also be considered.
• 7+ years of progressive, hands‑on payroll experience, preferably within a complex, multi‑entity organization.
• Significant experience managing U.S. multi‑state payroll operations.
• Experience with international or global payroll oversight is strongly preferred.
• Hands‑on experience with Workday Payroll is required or strongly preferred.
• Experience working with outsourced payroll providers and platforms such as TriNet, Safeguard, TMF, or similar providers is a plus.
• Strong understanding of payroll tax, wage and hour requirements, garnishments, benefit deductions, leaves, and other payroll‑related regulations.
• Experience processing bonus, equity, RSU, clawback, and other complex compensation transactions is preferred.
• Advanced Excel skills, including the ability to perform detailed reconciliations and data analysis using tools such as PivotTables and lookup functions.
• Ability to create and run payroll‑related reports and analyze large data sets.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving abilities with exceptional attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to identify process gaps and implement practical operational improvements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work effectively across senior stakeholders and multiple functions.
• High level of professionalism, sound judgment, discretion, and integrity when handling confidential information.
• Payroll certification, including CPP or FPC, is a plus.
• Experience in financial services, private equity, asset management, or another fast‑paced and highly regulated environment is preferred.
• Comfortable taking ownership of a critical operational function while working independently and collaboratively across the organization.

Job ID:

24113