Global Payroll Manager

Hippocratic AI•Palo Alto, CA

About The Position

As the Global Payroll Manager, you will hold end-to-end ownership for the company’s payroll operations, optimizing processes to strategically support Hippocratic AI’s next phase of growth. This role requires extensive cross-functional collaboration with HR, Accounting, and Legal to ensure timely, accurate, and compliant payruns and regulatory filings across all jurisdictions. Over the long term, you will be responsible for building and leading a high-performance payroll operations team to scale with the global business.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent practical experience) with 10+ years of progressive payroll experience, including ownership of U.S. payroll in a high-growth technology company; global payroll exposure strongly preferred.
Deep knowledge of U.S. payroll, wage and hour compliance, and employment tax regulations, including federal and multi-state requirements (registrations, filings, and remittances).
Experience operating in complex multi-state and multi-country environments, including managing payroll through Employer of Record (EOR) partners and supporting expansion into new jurisdictions.
Working knowledge of payroll accounting principles, including journal entries, accruals, and payroll-to-GL reconciliations; close partnership with Accounting required (GAAP familiarity preferred).
Experience administering equity and incentive payroll (RSUs, ISOs, NQSOs) and related payroll tax reporting and withholding.
Hands-on experience with modern payroll and HRIS systems such as Rippling (preferred), ADP, Workday, or similar; ability to troubleshoot and improve workflows across integrated systems.
Demonstrated ability to operate with high ownership in a fast-paced environment — able to prioritize competing deliverables, manage deadlines, and drive issues to resolution.
Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to partner effectively across People, Finance, Legal, external vendors, and employees.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving capabilities, sound judgment, and exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.

Responsibilities

Own end-to-end payroll process for exempt and hourly employees across all global entities.
Own payroll setup for new hires and ensure all employee changes (comp, deductions, benefits, garnishments, tax elections, etc.) are processed accurately and on time.
Partner with the India Accounting team to ensure accurate and timely payroll administration for India-based employees, including support on local compliance requirements.
Manage payroll administration through Employer of Record (EOR) providers across global jurisdictions and support payroll readiness for expansion into new countries/states.
Ensure compliance with all applicable wage and hour regulations, payroll tax registration and filing requirements across relevant U.S. jurisdictions, and maintain complete payroll records aligned with legal and tax obligations.
Develop, implement, and maintain robust payroll, time-off, leave, and workers’ compensation procedures and guidelines; monitor compliance and ensure operational accuracy.
Drive payroll controls and documentation; serve as the payroll compliance owner (including SOX-ready controls, where applicable).
Perform pre- and post-payroll audits, prepare reconciliations, and conduct payroll variance analysis each cycle to proactively identify and resolve discrepancies.
Own monthly/quarterly/annual payroll reconciliations and reporting, including: W-2 and 1099 preparation Quarterly/annual amendments 401(k) testing and reconciliations Payroll tax filings and reporting
Manage incentive and equity payroll processing (ISOs, NQSOs), ensuring accurate withholding, reporting, and tax-related submissions, including estimated tax obligations when applicable.
Liaise with auditors and coordinate payroll tax, benefits, and compliance audits; ensure documentation readiness and issue resolution.
Partner with Accounting to support month-end close processes, including creating and maintaining payroll and benefits journal entries, accruals, and reconciliation of payroll registers to the general ledger in accordance with GAAP.
Prepare post-payroll reports and reconcile bank deposits and payroll funding, identifying discrepancies and resolving issues in a timely manner.
Provide leadership with reporting and insights related to payroll forecasting, cash needs, and benefits requirements.
Collaborate closely with People, Finance, Legal, and internal stakeholders to ensure a seamless employee experience, resolve payroll issues quickly, and maintain data integrity across systems.
Continuously improve payroll operations in a fast-paced environment by building scalable workflows, documenting processes, and strengthening internal controls to support future audits and growth.