Manager, North America Payroll

Workday•Atlanta, GA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Global Payroll team is a dynamic, fast-paced, and cross-cultural unit dedicated to delivering accurate, on-time payroll operations and exceptional service to employees worldwide. Built on a culture of continuous learning, transparency, and collaboration, our team works closely with HR, Finance, and cross-functional technology partners to drive operational excellence and scale our systems alongside business growth. In this role, you will lead a decentralized regional team of Payroll Analysts based across Atlanta, Salt Lake City, and India. You will foster a supportive, customer-service-oriented environment where continuous improvement, clear communication, and professional development are at the center of everything we do. We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Payroll Manager to join our global team. Our employees are at the core of our business, which means the ideal candidate has a passion for managing and motivating people, growing talent, and building high-performing teams. In this role, you will lead regional and international payroll operations. You will directly manage in-house payroll processing using the Workday Payroll product for the United States and Canada, while coordinating with third-party vendors for Mexico and Costa Rica payroll processing.

Requirements

8+ years of increasing experience in a high growth or public company, with at least 2+ years in a team lead / manager function.
5+ years processing in-house payroll on an ERP.
Proven experience directly managing a decentralized or global team.
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, HR; relevant work experience considered.
Strong knowledge of payroll principles, tax regulations, and labor laws across the US and Canada, as well as working knowledge of managed payroll models in Mexico and Costa Rica.
Prior experience in managing payroll for employees across multiple countries and overseeing 3rd party vendors is highly desirable.
Strong analytic and critical thinking skills with the ability to analyze complex data, perform tax reconciliations, identify trends, and make informed decisions.
Considerable experience effectively leading cross-functional projects and working within tight deadlines.
Detail oriented, accurate, and organized, with a sense of urgency.
Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to interface with all levels of management.
Shows initiative, flexibility, and follow-through.
Customer service focused and solution oriented.
Ability to work with internal and external partners in other countries.
Proficient knowledge of accounting, HCM, and payroll systems.
Strong computer skills, including Excel and other Microsoft Office tools.

Nice To Haves

Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) designation is strongly desired.
Hands-on experience with the Workday Payroll product is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Mentor direct reports by being a role model and develop a keen sense of shared vision across your decentralized global team.
Oversee overall global payroll operations.
Manage in-house payroll processing using the Workday Payroll product for the US and Canada, while coordinating with 3rd party payroll service providers for Mexico and Costa Rica.
Ensure accurate and timely payroll processing for employees, complying with local regulations and tax laws.
Stay up-to-date with labor laws and tax regulations across the US, Canada, Mexico, and Costa Rica, ensuring full compliance with local authorities.
Oversee payroll regulatory filings, tax reconciliations, and interactions with statutory entities (such as the IRS and CRA).
Maintain confidential employee data, including payroll records, tax information, and other relevant details.
Collaborate with peer Payroll Managers, HR, Finance, and other departments to manage payroll-related inquiries, resolve issues, and provide assistance to employees.
Partner with Workday teams to design and implement cross-functional process improvements, uptake new system functionality, and support initiatives that scale with business growth.
Oversee relationships with 3rd party payroll service providers in LATAM to ensure adherence to service level agreements.
Utilize the Workday Payroll product and automation tools to streamline processes, limit manual tasks, and improve overall efficiency.
Own SOX controls for global payroll functions, conduct internal audits, and ensure proper accounting for payroll expenses and tax liabilities.
Provide training and support to payroll staff to enhance their skills and knowledge.
Identify opportunities to optimize processes, monitor key performance metrics, and enhance the overall payroll function.
Oversee internal and cross-functional projects on the payroll team, contributing prioritization and maintaining roadmap commitments.
Create and maintain visibility to operational and project status for leadership.