Global Payroll Lead

AQR•Greenwich, CT

1d•$135,000 - $150,000

About The Position

AQR is seeking an experienced Global Payroll Lead to join the HR Operations & Rewards team. This is a hands-on role with direct responsibility for day-to-day U.S. and global payroll execution. The ideal candidate will have strong working knowledge of U.S. and global payroll processes, excellent organizational skills, strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, high-demand environment. Experience with ADP and Workday is essential for the role. They will bring professionalism, attention to detail, and a strong commitment to client service.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree
7–10+ years of experience in high-volume U.S. and global payroll processing.
Significant hands-on experience independently processing multi-state U.S. payroll and strong knowledge of U.S. payroll taxation, deductions, and year-end reporting.
Experience managing payroll across multiple countries and working with international payroll vendors.
Significant experience with ADP and Workday required
Strong reconciliation, Excel, and data analysis skills, with exceptional accuracy and attention to detail.
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-demand environment while maintaining accuracy, professionalism, and sound judgment.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Workday Payroll is a plus.

Responsibilities

Own and execute end-to-end payroll processes across the U.S. and multiple countries, including payroll inputs, employee changes, processing, validation, review, approval, and post-payroll activities.
Review payroll outputs for accuracy, resolve discrepancies, complete reconciliations, and coordinate payroll funding, accounting entries, and reporting with Finance.
Manage U.S. federal, state, and local payroll tax requirements, including multi-state taxation, registrations, filings, notices, and year-end reporting.
Manage payroll calendars, deadlines, year-end activities, statutory filings, tax reporting, and audit requests across all applicable jurisdictions.
Manage relationships with global payroll vendors and local providers, including data submission, issue resolution, and service delivery.
Develop and maintain payroll policies, procedures, process documentation, and controls to support accuracy, consistency, and audit readiness.
Administer time tracking in Workday, including monitoring PTO accuracy, developing reports and audits, and providing employee support for time-tracking questions.
Serve as the primary point of contact for employee payroll and time-tracking questions, providing timely, professional, and high-quality support.
Support expansion into new U.S. states and/or countries, payroll implementations, vendor transitions, and other payroll projects, in partnership with Finance and HR colleagues.
Identify and implement opportunities to streamline, automate, and strengthen global payroll processes and controls; support broader HR initiatives as needed.