Global Payroll Manager

PhysicsX • New York, NY

3h • $100,000 - $190,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

PhysicsX is seeking a Global Payroll Manager to join their Finance team. The initial focus will be on managing US payroll, including processing, compliance, controls, reconciliations, and coordination with the People team and external providers. Over time, the role will expand to oversee and enhance global payroll processes and infrastructure, aiming to establish a consistent, controlled, and scalable payroll operating model across all PhysicsX locations. This is a hands-on position for someone who thrives in a fast-growth environment, enjoys process improvement, and understands the critical role of payroll in employee experience and company governance.

Requirements

• Strong experience managing US payroll, ideally in a multi-state environment.
• Good understanding of US payroll tax, benefits deductions, statutory reporting, and year-end payroll requirements.
• Experience working with external payroll providers and HRIS/payroll systems.
• Strong understanding of payroll controls, reconciliations, and audit requirements.
• Ability to work closely with People, Finance, Legal, and external advisors.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage deadlines in a recurring payroll cycle.
• Strong communication skills and ability to explain payroll matters clearly to non-payroll stakeholders.
• Comfortable working in a fast-growth, scaling company where processes are still being built and improved.
• High level of discretion and professionalism when handling confidential employee information.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting payroll across multiple countries.
• Experience in a technology, engineering, SaaS, or high-growth start-up environment.
• Experience with employee mobility, relocation, expatriate payroll, or cross-border payroll matters.
• Experience supporting payroll accounting, payroll journals, and month-end close.
• Experience improving payroll systems, workflows, or automation.
• CPP or similar payroll qualification.

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end US payroll process, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with federal, state, and local requirements.
• Manage bi-weekly payroll cycles, including inputs, changes, approvals, funding, checks, and post-payroll reviews.
• Collaborate with the People team to ensure payroll data is complete, accurate, and properly authorized.
• Review payroll changes such as new starters, leavers, salary adjustments, bonuses, benefit deductions, tax adjustments, and other variable pay items.
• Manage payroll compliance, including tax filings, year-end reporting (W-2s), and other statutory obligations.
• Partner with benefits providers to ensure correct processing of employee deductions and employer contributions.
• Support payroll treatment for relocation, mobility, equity, taxable benefits, and other employee-related payments.
• Serve as the primary contact for US payroll inquiries, resolving issues promptly and professionally.
• Build and maintain a robust payroll control environment with clear approval flows, segregation of duties, and audit-ready documentation.
• Ensure clear separation of People and Finance responsibilities, with People managing HR master data and Finance handling payroll processing and controls.
• Prepare payroll reconciliations, including payroll to GL, funding, tax liabilities, benefit deductions, and employer costs.
• Support month-end close by ensuring accurate payroll journals, accruals, and reconciliations are submitted on time.
• Maintain clear audit trails for payroll changes, approvals, and payments.
• Assist internal and external audits by providing payroll documentation and responding to queries.
• Identify payroll risks and implement practical controls to mitigate errors, delays, and compliance exposure.
• Support the development of a global payroll operating model across the UK, US, Singapore, and future jurisdictions.
• Standardize payroll calendars, input templates, approval workflows, reconciliations, and reporting across countries.
• Partner with local payroll providers to enhance accuracy, timeliness, and consistency of payroll delivery.
• Build scalable processes to support significant headcount growth across multiple locations.
• Document payroll policies, procedures, and controls for repeatability, transparency, and resilience.
• Support future payroll system, HRIS, and finance system improvements, ensuring accurate and controlled payroll data flows.
• Create global payroll reporting for Finance, People, and leadership teams.
• Partner with People, Finance, Legal, Tax, and external advisors to ensure payroll accuracy, compliance, and alignment with business needs.
• Work with the Finance team to ensure correct reflection of payroll costs in management accounts, budgets, forecasts, and reporting.
• Support employee mobility and international expansion from a payroll perspective.
• Provide clear guidance to employees and internal stakeholders on payroll timelines, processes, and requirements.
• Apply a continuous improvement mindset to payroll and contribute to building a scalable payroll function.

Benefits

• Equity options
• 5% contribution to 401(k)
• Free team lunch 1x/week
• Private health insurance
• Enhanced parental leave (3 months full pay paternity, 6 months full pay maternity)
• 20 days of Annual Leave (+ Public Holidays)
• Personal development support
• Subsidized Gympass / Wellhub (for employee and up to 3 family members)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed