Senior Director, Total Rewards and Payroll

Verra Mobility•Mesa, AZ

About The Position

The Senior Director, Total Rewards and Payroll is a hands-on global leader responsible for the strategy, design, governance, and execution of Verra Mobility’s executive and broad-based compensation, benefits, and payroll programs. The role advises executives, HR, and employees while leading a team responsible for delivering competitive, cost-effective rewards and accurate, compliant global payroll. It reports to the SVP, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer, and Interim Head of HR. The position leads the global total rewards and payroll strategy and multi-year roadmap; manages teams, budgets, vendors, and consultants; and establishes processes, documentation, governance, change management, and employee communications. It oversees executive and broad-based compensation, equity programs, job architecture, salary structures, incentive plans, annual compensation cycles, and pay transparency compliance. It also leads global benefits strategy and administration, including provider relationships, renewals, enrollment, plan compliance, and filings. The role owns end-to-end U.S. and global payroll operations, controls, compliance, optimization, and integration with HRIS and Finance.

Requirements

At least 12 years of experience across compensation, benefits, and payroll.
At least 5 years leading teams and managing managers.
Demonstrated expertise in executive compensation, equity programs, Compensation Committee reporting, and broad-based compensation design.
Thorough knowledge of federal, state, and international regulations, including FLSA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, ERISA, and FMLA.
Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables and formulas, and strong Microsoft Office skills.
Strategic thinking, business acumen, executive presence, and excellent communication skills; ability to influence senior leaders across levels and geographies.
Detail-oriented problem-solving skills, ability to manage multiple priorities and analyze and present complex data, and integrity in handling confidential information.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively and be accountable for results.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading global benefits and payroll operations in multiple countries.
Mergers and acquisitions experience.
Technology industry or HR consulting experience.
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Finance, Math, Business Management, or a related field; equivalent experience is considered.
Advanced degree.
Certifications such as CCP, CEBS, CBP, SHRM-SCP, or SPHR; CPP or FPC is also a plus.
Workday experience.

Responsibilities

Develop and lead the global total rewards and payroll strategy and multi-year roadmap, securing executive leadership buy-in through execution.
Advise executive leadership and HR business partners; lead, coach, and develop the Total Rewards and Payroll team, including succession and capability development.
Manage total rewards and payroll budgets, vendors, and consultants, and partner with Finance on forecasting and cost management.
Establish streamlined processes, documentation, and governance that account for business-unit and country differences.
Lead change management and communications to build employee understanding of rewards programs.
Partner with the third-party executive compensation consultant to design and govern executive compensation programs, including pay positioning, short- and long-term incentives, and peer-group benchmarking.
Prepare Compensation Committee materials and analysis with Legal and Finance.
Oversee the global equity program, including grants, vesting, and administration with the external stock plan administrator.
Own global job architecture, salary structures and grade levels, and broad-based incentive plans.
Lead annual merit, bonus, and equity cycles, competitive benchmarking, and salary survey participation.
Guide offers and job evaluations using market data and internal equity; advise on job descriptions and FLSA status with Legal.
Partner with HR business partners on organizational structure, spans, and layers.
Ensure compensation programs comply with federal, state, and international requirements, including salary-range disclosure laws and the EU Pay Transparency Directive, with Legal.
Design and lead a cost-effective, competitive global benefits strategy covering health and welfare, 401(k), leave, voluntary benefits, and perks.
Oversee brokers, carriers, and 401(k) providers, including renewals, cost management, invoice accuracy, HRIS carrier connections, and U.S. and global enrollment.
Ensure compliance with ACA, FMLA, COBRA, ERISA, HIPAA, and international requirements, including annual benefit and 401(k) plan filings.
Identify trends and regulatory changes to improve plan design and streamline benefits administration.
Own end-to-end global and U.S. payroll processes, systems, and controls, ensuring accurate and timely execution.
Ensure compliance with country, federal, state, and local payroll tax and wage laws.
Drive payroll optimization, automation, and integration with HRIS and Finance, including audit readiness.
Ensure accurate payroll treatment of incentives, equity, and benefit deductions in partnership with compensation and benefits.