Global Payroll Director

Montrose Environmental Group•Irvine, CA

3d•$165,000 - $185,000•Hybrid

About The Position

About Us We build careers grounded in purpose, responsibility and real-world impact. “For Planet and Progress” is our north star that guides everything we do. We believe environmental responsibility and human progress are interconnected, interwoven and international. Our scientists, engineers, field teams, consultants and professionals collaborate across disciplines and geographies, guiding industries and governments, ensuring that communities and environments thrive. When you join us, you’re not just forging a career, you’re joining a movement. A movement for better thinking, smarter solutions and lasting impact. Together, we will advance our way of life and protect the integrity of our environment every step of the way. A Day in the Life The Global Payroll Director will lead our top-talented payroll team and continue our operational payroll processing excellence across the countries in which we operate (currently US, Canada and Australia). Reporting to the VP of HR, you will develop and mentor our payroll team, establish scalable processes that support our continued growth, facilitate vendor relationships, and serve as a strategic partner on transformational business initiatives including acquisitions and organic expansion. If you're excited by transformation, enjoy developing talent, and have strong global payroll expertise, this leadership role is your opportunity to make a real impact. While we are open to remote candidates, we would love to have someone based in Irvine, CA on a hybrid basis (2 days per week). The compensation range for this role is $165,000 to $185,000 USD, in addition to an annual bonus, commensurate with experience, skills, and geographic location. To thrive in this role, you’ll be comfortable taking ownership of the following responsibilities:

Requirements

8+ years of progressive global payroll experience, preferably within a public company
Experience with high-growth, mid-to large-sized (2500+ employees) organizations
3-5 years of experience in a leadership or strategic role
Bachelor's degree in Business, Human Resources, Finance, Technology, or related field, or equivalent professional work experience.
Experience with payroll and equity administration systems (e.g. Workday ADP, Fidelity), with demonstrated proficiency with the Workday Payroll module preferred
Familiarity with international payroll regulations, tax laws, and compliance requirements including payroll implications for equity-based compensation including stock options, RSUs, etc.
Highly detail-oriented, proactive, and communicative, with the ability to work seamlessly cross-functionally and across time zones
Comfortable operating in a high-growth, dynamic, and global environment
Advanced Excel skills with the ability to translate raw data into actionable financial insights
Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally, up to 10-15%
Proven experience in public or pre-IPO environments with a strong command of SOX controls and IPO readiness preferred

Nice To Haves

Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or equivalent designation preferred

Responsibilities

Lead, coach, and develop the global payroll team, creating a collaborative, accountable, and people-first environment
Oversee end-to-end payroll operations across the US, Canada and Australia to ensure timely, accurate, and compliant payroll processing across all current and future geographies
Own global payroll strategy for corporate development initiatives, including M&A due diligence, integration, and organic country expansions, ensuring compliant, scalable, and employee-centric solutions
Manage relationships with external payroll vendors, including the evaluation and selection of payroll vendors to support future international payroll operations
Lead month-end, quarter-end, and year-end payroll processes including payroll tax reporting, compliance filings, year-end W-2 or equivalent statement delivery globally
Facilitate change management for any payroll matters by guiding stakeholders through new processes and training, with the employee experience in mind
Ensure compliance with all regulatory, tax, and labor requirements across countries, including SOX controls, data privacy, and withholding/taxation rules
Provide oversight and administration for complex payroll transactions, including equity compensation-related payroll transactions e.g., RSUs, ISOs and NSOs
Collaborate with Finance, HR, Legal, Tax, Internal Audit to ensure alignment and integration of payroll processes with overall business objectives
Embrace and lead automation to innovate where appropriate, to standardize workflows and scale for future growth
Partner with HRIS on implementations, configurations, data integrity, and process optimization
Drive payroll strategy and execution on initiatives including acquisitions, expansion into new countries, system enhancements, etc.
Conduct regular payroll audits to ensure compliance and identify areas for continuous improvement
Other projects assigned to ensure continued career development