Payroll DS Manager

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine • New Brunswick, NJ

22h • $102,000 - $204,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Payroll Manager is accountable for the end‑to‑end delivery of accurate, timely, and compliant payroll services for a defined group of countries. The role is responsible for developing and implementing standardized methodologies in partnership with Global Process Owners, business partners (Capability Center Team, when located in local country), and other cross-functional teams, serving as a regional focal for operations, project, and/or audits. The role will provide leadership and guidance to assigned team members while managing the performance of vendor partners to maintain processes that support payroll administration.

Requirements

• A minimum of 7 years of prior experience in Payroll, HR and/or Finance operations.
• A minimum of 3 years in a Management/People Leader role is required
• Strong experience managing multi‑country payroll operations
• Proven experience overseeing payroll controls, compliance, audits, and statutory requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams through change in a fast‑paced, matrixed environment.
• Strong analytical, decision‑making, and problem‑solving capabilities.
• Excellent English language written and verbal communication abilities, with strong presentation and facilitation skills and can speak to a diverse set of audiences
• Adaptable and capable of navigating through ambiguity & work effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Experience in knowledge management systems and proficiency with compliance requirements (e.g. SOX, business controls, etc.) are preferred

Nice To Haves

• Certification in the following areas are preferred: Payroll, Project Management, Analytics, Lean Six Sigma/Design Thinking.

Responsibilities

• Manage end‑to‑end payroll delivery for assigned countries, ensuring timely and accurate payroll processing in compliance with company policy and local statutory requirements.
• Oversee payroll controls, approvals (including off‑cycle payments), reconciliations, payroll accounting entries, and statutory remittances.
• Ensure audit readiness by maintaining robust documentation, records, and payroll calendars.
• Support internal, external, and regulatory audits as required.
• Build strong, trusted relationships with senior country stakeholders and global partners across HR, Finance, Tax, Legal, Compliance, IT, Procurement, and Employee Relations.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex payroll issues, ensuring effective resolution and adherence to service commitments.
• Manage performance of third‑party payroll vendors, ensuring adherence to SLAs, operational metrics, and contractual obligations.
• Align stakeholder expectations, mediate conflicts, and balance operational priorities with business needs.
• Lead and manage a matrixed team of payroll supervisors and individual contributors.
• Own hiring, performance management, coaching, career development, succession planning, and resource allocation across assigned team.
• Promote a positive and inclusive work environment, fostering teamwork, and encouraging professional development.
• Foster a high‑performing, inclusive culture grounded in accountability, continuous learning, and strong customer focus.
• Lead payroll-related business, statutory, or compliance driven projects, ensuring delivery within scope, timeline, and budget.
• Stabilize existing payroll processes while driving continuous improvement, simplification, automation, and standardization.
• Partner with Global Payroll, (Capability Center when located in local country), and Projects teams on system implementations, transitions and enhancements.
• Represent Payroll in cross‑functional initiatives and transformation programs as required.
• Perform other duties assigned by Global or Regional Leadership.

Benefits

• Vacation –120 hours per calendar year
• Sick time - 40 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Colorado –48 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Washington –56 hours per calendar year
• Holiday pay, including Floating Holidays –13 days per calendar year
• Work, Personal and Family Time - up to 40 hours per calendar year
• Parental Leave – 480 hours within one year of the birth/adoption/foster care of a child
• Bereavement Leave – 240 hours for an immediate family member: 40 hours for an extended family member per calendar year
• Caregiver Leave – 80 hours in a 52-week rolling period
• 10 days Volunteer Leave – 32 hours per calendar year
• Military Spouse Time-Off – 80 hours per calendar year

What This Job Offers

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