Manager, North America Payroll

About this role

Your work days are brighter here.

We’re obsessed with making hard work pay off, for our people, our customers, and the world around us. As a Fortune 500 company and a leading AI platform for managing people, money, and agents, we’re shaping the future of work so teams can reach their potential and focus on what matters most. The minute you join, you’ll feel it. Not just in the products we build, but in how we show up for each other. Our culture is rooted in integrity, empathy, and shared enthusiasm. We’re in this together, tackling big challenges with bold ideas and genuine care. We look for curious minds and courageous collaborators who bring sun-drenched optimism and drive. Whether you're building smarter solutions, supporting customers, or creating a space where everyone belongs, you’ll do meaningful work with Workmates who’ve got your back. In return, we’ll give you the trust to take risks, the tools to grow, the skills to develop and the support of a company invested in you for the long haul. So, if you want to inspire a brighter work day for everyone, including yourself, you’ve found a match in Workday, and we hope to be a match for you too.

About the Team The Global Payroll team is a dynamic, fast-paced, and cross-cultural unit dedicated to delivering accurate, on-time payroll operations and exceptional service to employees worldwide. Built on a culture of continuous learning, transparency, and collaboration, our team works closely with HR, Finance, and cross-functional technology partners to drive operational excellence and scale our systems alongside business growth.

In this role, you will lead a decentralized regional team of Payroll Analysts based across Atlanta, Salt Lake City, and India. You will foster a supportive, customer-service-oriented environment where continuous improvement, clear communication, and professional development are at the center of everything we do. About the Role

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Payroll Manager to join our global team. Our employees are at the core of our business, which means the ideal candidate has a passion for managing and motivating people, growing talent, and building high-performing teams. In this role, you will lead regional and international payroll operations. You will directly manage in-house payroll processing using the Workday Payroll product for the United States and Canada, while coordinating with third-party vendors for Mexico and Costa Rica payroll processing.

Responsibilities: • Mentor direct reports by being a role model and develop a keen sense of shared vision across your decentralized global team.

• Oversee overall global payroll operations. Manage in-house payroll processing using the Workday Payroll product for the US and Canada, while coordinating with 3rd party payroll service providers for Mexico and Costa Rica. Ensure accurate and timely payroll processing for employees, complying with local regulations and tax laws.

• Stay up-to-date with labor laws and tax regulations across the US, Canada, Mexico, and Costa Rica, ensuring full compliance with local authorities. Oversee payroll regulatory filings, tax reconciliations, and interactions with statutory entities (such as the IRS and CRA).

• Maintain confidential employee data, including payroll records, tax information, and other relevant details.

• Collaborate with peer Payroll Managers, HR, Finance, and other departments to manage payroll-related inquiries, resolve issues, and provide assistance to employees.

• Partner with Workday teams to design and implement cross-functional process improvements, uptake new system functionality, and support initiatives that scale with business growth. Oversee relationships with 3rd party payroll service providers in LATAM to ensure adherence to service level agreements.

• Utilize the Workday Payroll product and automation tools to streamline processes, limit manual tasks, and improve overall efficiency.

• Own SOX controls for global payroll functions, conduct internal audits, and ensure proper accounting for payroll expenses and tax liabilities.

• Provide training and support to payroll staff to enhance their skills and knowledge.

• Identify opportunities to optimize processes, monitor key performance metrics, and enhance the overall payroll function.

• Oversee internal and cross-functional projects on the payroll team, contributing prioritization and maintaining roadmap commitments.

• Create and maintain visibility to operational and project status for leadership.

About You

Required Qualifications: • 8+ years of increasing experience in a high growth or public company, with at least 2+ years in a team lead / manager function.

• 5+ years processing in-house payroll on an ERP.

• Proven experience directly managing a decentralized or global team.

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, HR; relevant work experience considered.

Other Qualifications: • Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) designation is strongly desired.

• Hands-on experience with the Workday Payroll product is strongly preferred.

• Strong knowledge of payroll principles, tax regulations, and labor laws across the US and Canada, as well as working knowledge of managed payroll models in Mexico and Costa Rica.

• Prior experience in managing payroll for employees across multiple countries and overseeing 3rd party vendors is highly desirable.

• Strong analytic and critical thinking skills with the ability to analyze complex data, perform tax reconciliations, identify trends, and make informed decisions.

• Considerable experience effectively leading cross-functional projects and working within tight deadlines.

• Detail oriented, accurate, and organized, with a sense of urgency.

• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability to interface with all levels of management.

• Shows initiative, flexibility, and follow-through.

• Customer

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