Payroll DS Manager

The Payroll Manager is accountable for the end‑to‑end delivery of accurate, timely, and compliant payroll services for a defined group of countries. The role is responsible for developing and implementing standardized methodologies in partnership with Global Process Owners, business partners (Capability Center Team, when located in local country), and other cross-functional teams, serving as a regional focal for operations, project, and/or audits. The role will provide leadership and guidance to assigned team members while managing the performance of vendor partners to maintain processes that support payroll administration.

The Payroll Manager is responsible for:

Payroll Operations & Service Delivery

Manage end‑to‑end payroll delivery for assigned countries, ensuring timely and accurate payroll processing in compliance with company policy and local statutory requirements.

Oversee payroll controls, approvals (including off‑cycle payments), reconciliations, payroll accounting entries, and statutory remittances.

Ensure audit readiness by maintaining robust documentation, records, and payroll calendars.

Support internal, external, and regulatory audits as required.

Stakeholder & Vendor Management

Build strong, trusted relationships with senior country stakeholders and global partners across HR, Finance, Tax, Legal, Compliance, IT, Procurement, and Employee Relations.

Serve as the primary escalation point for complex payroll issues, ensuring effective resolution and adherence to service commitments.

Manage performance of third‑party payroll vendors, ensuring adherence to SLAs, operational metrics, and contractual obligations.

Align stakeholder expectations, mediate conflicts, and balance operational priorities with business needs.

People Leadership & Talent Management

Lead and manage a matrixed team of payroll supervisors and individual contributors.

Own hiring, performance management, coaching, career development, succession planning, and resource allocation across assigned team.

Promote a positive and inclusive work environment, fostering teamwork, and encouraging professional development.

Foster a high‑performing, inclusive culture grounded in accountability, continuous learning, and strong customer focus.

Process Excellence & Continuous Improvement

Lead payroll-related business, statutory, or compliance driven projects, ensuring delivery within scope, timeline, and budget.

Stabilize existing payroll processes while driving continuous improvement, simplification, automation, and standardization.

Partner with Global Payroll, (Capability Center when located in local country), and Projects teams on system implementations, transitions and enhancements.

Represent Payroll in cross‑functional initiatives and transformation programs as required.

Perform other duties assigned by Global or Regional Leadership.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

• A minimum of 7 years of prior experience in Payroll, HR and/or Finance operations.

• A minimum of 3 years in a Management/People Leader role is required

• Strong experience managing multi‑country payroll operations

• Proven experience overseeing payroll controls, compliance, audits, and statutory requirements.

• Demonstrated ability to lead teams through change in a fast‑paced, matrixed environment.

• Strong analytical, decision‑making, and problem‑solving capabilities.

• Excellent English language written and verbal communication abilities, with strong presentation and facilitation skills and can speak to a diverse set of audiences

• Adaptable and capable of navigating through ambiguity & work effectively in a fast-paced environment

• Experience in knowledge management systems and proficiency with compliance requirements (e.g. SOX, business controls, etc.) are preferred

• Certification in the following areas are preferred: Payroll, Project Management, Analytics, Lean Six Sigma/Design Thinking.