Associate Director - US Payroll

Eli Lilly and Company•Us, IN

8d•$127,500 - $187,000

About The Position

The Associate Director - US Payroll leads US payroll operations to ensure employees are paid accurately and on time, payroll-related financial transactions are properly recorded, and applicable requirements are met. The role oversees payroll processing, tax compliance, accounting and reconciliations, controls, and administration of complex compensation arrangements such as bonuses, equity awards, and deferred compensation. It leads and develops the US payroll team and partners with Human Resources, HR Technology, Finance, Accounting, Tax, Legal, Global Mobility, auditors, and external service providers. The role also identifies operational risks, resolves complex payroll issues, supports audits, and drives improvements in payroll accuracy, efficiency, compliance, and employee service. Responsibilities span US payroll operations and compliance; payroll accounting, controls, and audits; equity and compensation programs; US payroll aspects of international assignments; payroll systems, integrations, and vendor management; and people leadership and business partnership. The director oversees payroll activities within company policies, approval limits, and segregation-of-duties controls. Specific approval authority, reporting structure, payroll population, pay frequencies, geographic scope, and specialist responsibilities are to be confirmed by the hiring organization. Travel is indicated at 0–10%.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field.
At least 5 years of experience in US payroll operations, including payroll tax withholding, payroll compliance, reconciliations, and resolution of complex payroll issues.
Experience leading, supervising, coaching, or developing employees or payroll teams.
Working knowledge of payroll accounting, financial controls, and audit requirements; SOX controls experience is described as strongly preferred or required depending on the control environment.
Experience with payroll systems and HR technology.
Authorization to work in the United States on a full-time basis; Lilly will not sponsor work authorization or visas for this role.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder-management skills.
Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Nice To Haves

Workday knowledge is preferred.
Experience with multi-state payroll and complex compensation programs, including bonuses, executive compensation, deferred compensation, and equity awards.
Experience with international assignee payroll or coordination across multiple countries and time zones.
Experience managing payroll vendors, service-level expectations, system integrations, and payroll process improvements.
Payroll, accounting, finance, or HR certification, such as CPP, FPC, CPA, PHR, or SHRM-CP.
Experience using reporting, automation, analytics, or AI-enabled tools to improve payroll processes and controls.

Responsibilities

Oversee US payroll processing, including gross-to-net calculations, earnings, overtime and premiums, deductions, garnishments, and federal, state, and local tax withholding.
Ensure payroll payments, tax deposits, government reports, and required filings are completed accurately and on time.
Oversee validation of payroll changes related to employee lifecycle events, compensation changes, annual compensation cycles, bonuses, executive pay, and equity-related payments.
Oversee positive time entry and approval processes for non-exempt employees and maintain appropriate controls over time data.
Maintain and improve US payroll, timekeeping, absence-related payroll, and year-end procedures.
Oversee payroll administration for leaves, workers’ compensation, garnishments, tax levies, and child support orders, including withholding, payments, reporting, and agency communications.
Resolve complex payroll issues in coordination with employees, HR, Finance, vendors, and other partners.
Review payroll general ledger activity and account reconciliations, including payroll-related stock and equity accounts.
Maintain payroll controls, documentation, and audit support, including SOX-related requirements and internal and external audit requests.
Coordinate payroll tax audits and support audit responses, remediation, and follow-up actions.
Partner with Accounting and Finance to investigate discrepancies and strengthen payroll financial records.
Oversee payroll administration and taxation of global equity awards and payouts with relevant internal teams and service providers.
Oversee payroll processing and tax treatment for bonus programs, deferred compensation, excess savings plans, executive compensation, and other US employee compensation arrangements.
Coordinate payroll withholding, reporting, and accounting for shareholder dividends and share repurchases.
Research and resolve complex federal, state, local, and FICA withholding questions, escalating to Tax or Legal when appropriate.
Oversee US payroll for inbound and outbound employee assignments, international transfers, and localization in coordination with Global Mobility, Tax, HR, and providers.
Partner with HR Technology, Workday, Accounting, and operations teams on payroll, time, and absence system changes, including biannual Workday releases.
Coordinate payroll integrations, requirements, testing, issue resolution, and change controls with internal and external partners.
Manage vendor relationships, service levels, reporting, and contract-related analysis for payroll and related providers, including KPMG, EQ, ADP, and Experian, as applicable.
Partner with HR Services to improve employee support, reduce recurring payroll questions, and identify self-service and process-improvement opportunities.
Evaluate responsible use of technology, automation, analytics, and AI to improve payroll controls, efficiency, and service.
Lead, coach, and develop the US payroll team, establishing responsibilities, development goals, cross-training, and coverage.
Build partnerships with HR, HR Technology, Finance, Accounting, Tax, Legal, Global Mobility, auditors, vendors, and business stakeholders.
Participate in annual compensation planning and wage and benefits forecasting.
Identify operational risks, recommend process improvements, and communicate material payroll issues, trends, and resource needs to leadership.

Benefits

Company bonus, depending in part on company and individual performance.
Eligibility to participate in a company-sponsored 401(k).
Pension.
Vacation benefits.
Eligibility for medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug benefits.
Flexible benefits, including healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts.
Life insurance and death benefits.
Certain time-off and leave-of-absence benefits.
Well-being benefits, including an employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities.
Employee resource groups open to all employees.