Manager, Global Payroll (North America)

e.l.f. Beauty•Oakland, CA

2d•$80,000 - $130,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Global Payroll Manager (North America) will oversee end-to-end payroll operations across the United States and Canada, serving as our technical payroll regulatory expert. This role will focus on establishing scalable infrastructure, standardized processes, and performance frameworks to support our global operations and enable future growth and geographic expansion. This position is ideal for a hands-on payroll leader who thrives in fast-paced, ambiguous, and rapidly growing environments. The successful candidate will have deep technical expertise in North American payroll regulations, significant experience in payroll and HR system configuration and reporting customization, and a proven track record of driving operational excellence through automation, process optimization, and quality oversight with quantifiable metrics. This role requires strong business process management capabilities and the ability to work effectively across time zones, partnering closely with our India-based payroll team to ensure seamless global payroll operations.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Human Resources, or related field.
8+ years of progressive payroll experience with 5+ years in a leadership or management role.
Deep technical expertise in U.S. payroll regulations, tax compliance, and statutory reporting requirements.
Experience working in fast-paced, ambiguous, high-growth environments where foundational infrastructure and processes are being established.
Significant hands-on experience with payroll and HR system configuration, including workflow design, integration development, and custom reporting.
Proven track record of automation and optimization initiatives (e.g., RPA, RDA, AI/ML, Microsoft Power Automate, API integrations).
Demonstrated experience establishing quality oversight frameworks with quantifiable metrics (accuracy rates, SLA compliance, error reduction, cycle-time improvements).
Strong foundation in business process management, including process mapping, standardization, and continuous improvement methodologies.
Proven success leading system implementations, vendor evaluations, and supplier management projects.
Experience working across multiple time zones and managing or collaborating with geographically distributed teams.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage complex data, compliance requirements, and multi-system integrations.
Proficiency with payroll, finance, and HR systems such as ADP, SAP, BambooHR, or other enterprise HRIS platforms.
Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence across all organizational levels.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree (Master's in Business, Accounting, Finance, or related field).
Professional certifications such as Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or other recognized payroll credentials.
Lean Six Sigma certification or equivalent process improvement certification.
Understanding of payroll governance, audit, and control frameworks (SOX, COSO, ISO, or similar).
Experience with Canadian, South American, and other regional payroll regulations.
Advanced Excel/data analysis skills and experience with business intelligence tools (Tableau, Power BI, etc.).
Project management certification (PMP, Agile, etc.) or demonstrated project management experience.
Experience designing and implementing shared service or center of excellence (COE) operating models.
Knowledge of change management principles and experience leading organizational transformation initiatives.
Familiarity with HR transformation, digital workplace initiatives, and employee self-service technologies.

Responsibilities

Oversight over end-to-end payroll operations, compliance, and transformation for North America (U.S. and Canada), with potential future geographic expansion.
Serve as the technical payroll regulatory expert for North American Payroll statutory requirements, tax compliance, and regulatory reporting (Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX), federal, state/provincial, and local).
Design, implement, and maintain foundational payroll processes, controls, and organizational infrastructure to support current and future-state operations.
Drive payroll system configuration, integration, and reporting customization initiatives across payroll and HR platforms (ADP, SAP, BambooHR, or similar enterprise HR Information Systems).
Lead automation and optimization initiatives to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and scalability of payroll operations.
Establish and maintain disciplined quality oversight frameworks with quantifiable metrics and KPIs to measure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.
Implement continuous improvement methodologies and track performance metrics to drive operational excellence.
Manage business process design and documentation, ensuring standardization and scalability across regions.
Lead system and supplier evaluations, implementations, and vendor management activities.
Collaborate effectively across time zones with the India-based payroll team, providing guidance, training, and operational oversight.
Partner with HR, Finance, IT, and external vendors to ensure seamless payroll execution and issue resolution.
Establish and maintain payroll process documentation, audit controls, and SOX compliance requirements.
Conduct root cause analysis on payroll discrepancies and implement corrective and preventative actions.
Champion a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and employee experience excellence.