Senior Manager, Payroll Operations - Americas

Position Summary

The Senior Manager, Payroll Operations - Americas is responsible for leading accurate, compliant, and efficient payroll operations for the United States and supporting the ongoing evolution of the company's global payroll operating model. This role initially serves as the operational leader for U.S. payroll supporting approximately 2,300 employees and will progressively assume responsibility for Payroll Operations across six additional locations in Canada, Latin America, and South America as the organization advances its Global Payroll transformation strategy.

As a key member of the Payroll Leadership Team, this individual will ensure payroll excellence, compliance, governance, service delivery, and continuous improvement while partnering closely with HR, HRIS, Benefits, Finance, Legal, Tax, Internal & external Audit, and external Payroll providers. The successful candidate will bring deep expertise in U.S. payroll management, experience managing multi-country payrolls, and a strong understanding of payroll transformation initiatives, vendor governance, and Global Payroll operating models.

Principal Leadership Duties

U.S. Payroll Operations Leadership

• The position is responsible for end-to-end payroll operations for our critical U.S. payroll function, collaborating across the enterprise and with 3rd party providers of the SAAS platform, managed services & delivery, tax, time reporting systems, and other related services.
• Ensure timely, accurate, and compliant payroll processing, including regular payroll, bonus payments, commissions, expatriate considerations, and off-cycle payments.
• Utilize excellent communication and leadership skills to build trust and credibility with all levels of the organization. Must be well organized, highly motivated, and able to meet deadlines. Must be able to manage multiple priorities and able to work successfully in a fast paced, dynamic environment.
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations.
• Oversee payroll tax administration, wage garnishments, benefits deductions, and year-end activities including Form W-2 issuance and related reporting.
• Manage payroll-related inquiries and escalations while maintaining high service levels and employee satisfaction.
• Critically review and analyze current payroll, benefits, tax, interface, and systems procedures and configuration to assess, recommend and implement process improvements and ensure best practice operations. Actively manage critical relationships with key stakeholders, including software providers, processing & delivery vendors, and various internal functions at both the Enterprise & Business Unit levels.
• Drive payroll process improvements, automation opportunities, and operational efficiencies.

Americas Regional Payroll Leadership

• Assume leadership responsibility for payroll operations in six additional locations across Canada, Latin America, and South America as part of the company's payroll transformation roadmap.
• Develop governance and oversight processes for in-country payroll providers and payroll partners.
• Ensure local payroll compliance requirements are understood and appropriately managed through internal teams and external service providers.
• Standardize payroll processes, controls, metrics, and reporting across the Americas region.
• Develop regional payroll expertise and serve as the primary escalation point for payroll matters within the Americas.

Additional Responsibilities

Payroll Transformation and Global Payroll Strategy

• Serve as a key contributor to the company's payroll transformation initiative, including evaluation and implementation of future-state payroll operating models.
• Partner with HR, Finance, IT, Procurement, and external consultants during payroll assessments, vendor evaluations, and implementation activities.
• Assist in the design of a hybrid regional payroll model balancing regional governance with local compliance requirements.
• Participate in process mapping, requirements gathering, risk assessments, and implementation planning.
• Support business case development, service delivery design, and governance frameworks.
• Lead change management activities related to payroll process changes and organizational transitions.
• Ensure successful transition of newly assigned countries into the target operating model.

Compliance, Controls, and Risk Management

• Establish and maintain strong internal controls, compliance frameworks, and governance practices across all assigned payroll operations.
• Monitor regulatory and legislative developments impacting payroll within the Americas.
• Partner with Internal Audit and Finance to address payroll risks and implement corrective actions when needed.
• Support external and internal audits and ensure timely resolution of audit findings.
• Maintain documentation of payroll policies, procedures, workflows, and controls.

Vendor and Stakeholder Management

• Manage relationships with payroll providers, tax service vendors, and related third-party partners.
• Establish service level agreements, performance metrics, and vendor governance processes.
• Collaborate closely with HRIS, Benefits, Compensation, Finance, Tax, Treasury, and Legal teams.
• Provide payroll reporting, analytics, and operational insights to senior leadership.

Specialized/Technical Knowledge or Required Skills

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Human Resources, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive payroll leadership experience.
• Proven experience leading complex US payroll operations for organizations with 1,500+ employees.
• Strong expertise in U.S. federal, state, and local payroll compliance requirements.
• Experience managing multi-state U.S. payroll operations and leading payroll operations across multiple countries.
• Experience supporting payroll through HRIS, payroll system, or vendor transformations.
• Experience managing external payroll providers and service delivery relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, influence stakeholders, and drive process improvement initiatives.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and executive presentation capabilities.

Preferred

• Direct payroll experience within Canada and/or Latin America.
• Experience participating in global payroll transformation or shared services initiatives.
• Experience with payroll operating model design and payroll vendor consolidations.
• Manufacturing or industrial sector experience.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification preferred.
• Experience with SAP SuccessFactors, UKG Pro, ADP, Dayforce, Workday Payroll, or other major payroll platform(s).
• Strong project management skills, including participation in system implementations, process redesign, and change management initiatives.
• Demonstrated success presenting payroll strategy, compliance matters, and operational metrics to senior HR and Finance leadership.
• Experience establishing payroll KPIs, service level agreements, governance frameworks, and vendor performance scorecards.
• Ability to work effectively across multiple cultures, countries, and time zones.
• Proficiency in Spanish, Portuguese, German, or Italian is a plus.