Senior Manager, Global Payroll

Corus International • Washington, DC

2d • $85,000 - $136,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Global Payroll reports to the Global Controller and is a key member of the General Accounting team, responsible for delivering accurate, compliant, and audit-ready U.S. payroll, while providing oversight of global payroll and timekeeping processes and technical supervision to the Global Payroll & Allocations Manager based in Nairobi, Kenya. The role ensures strong internal controls, supports audits, and drives process improvements and system integrations to enhance efficiency, scalability, and data integrity. The Senior Manager plays a critical role in contributing to the organization's digital transformation, including integration between ADP Payroll, timekeeping systems, and the new Finance & Accounting ERP system. The role also supports broader organizational related to compensation, personnel cost allocation, and process automation. This position will be based at Headquarters in Washington, DC and will operate in a hybrid work model, with in-office days each week on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field and a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible payroll experience; or the equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Experience must include U.S. payroll management using ADP Workforce Now.
• Experience supporting year-end financial statement audits and preparing payroll audit schedules.
• Experience improving payroll process automation and system integrations.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. federal, state, and local payroll regulations and tax requirements.
• Strong understanding of payroll accounting, including accruals, liabilities, reconciliations, and year-end reporting.
• Knowledge of audit documentation standards and internal control frameworks.
• Advanced proficiency in ADP Workforce Now.
• Strong Excel skills (pivot tables, reconciliations, data analysis).
• Ability to analyze payroll data, identify discrepancies, and resolve complex issues.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Ability to maintain payroll operations in an audit-ready state at all times.
• Ability to manage deadlines in a high-compliance, deadline-driven environment.
• Demonstrated ability to improve operational efficiency and scale processes.
• Strong project management skills, particularly in system implementation environments.
• High level of integrity, discretion, and professionalism in handling confidential information.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work cross-functionally with HR, Finance, IT, and international teams.
• Ability to respond effectively to auditors and external stakeholders.
• Ability to train and guide managers and staff on payroll and timekeeping requirements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting payroll system implementations or transitions (e.g., Workday Payroll) strongly preferred.
• Experience integrating payroll systems with ERP/Finance systems preferred.
• Experience in a nonprofit organization is preferred.
• Experience supporting multi-entity or multi-state payroll environments strongly preferred.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation preferred.
• Familiarity with nonprofit cost allocation principles and compliance frameworks is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Process semi-monthly payroll for approximately 150 U.S.-based employees in ADP Workforce Now.
• Ensure accurate calculation of earnings, deductions, benefits, taxes, and employer contributions.
• Review and validate payroll registers, audit reports, and exception reports prior to submission.
• Ensure timely tax remittance and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Manage year-end payroll processes, including W-2s, reconciliations, and filings.
• Prepare monthly payroll journal entries and US labor cost allocation.
• Reconcile all payroll-related general ledger accounts.
• Lead the timesheet onboarding for US based staff.
• Direct the country office payroll to ensure that operations performed through Multiplier are completed timely.
• Review and approve payroll journal entries, as needed.
• Review and approve balance sheet reconciliations prepared by the Global Payroll & Allocations Manager.
• Provide technical guidance and ongoing support to the Global Payroll & Allocations Manager.
• Coordinate with the Manager, General Accounting to ensure timely funding of Multiplier cash draws.
• Manage EOR payroll disbursements and maintain strong relationships with the service providers.
• Backstop the global payroll allocation process.
• Direct and manage the timesheet submission process across all entities.
• Ensure timely and complete submission of timecards across all country offices.
• Partner with country and program leadership to drive compliance with timekeeping policies.
• Develop reporting dashboards and track compliance metrics related to timecard completion and labor allocations.
• Maintain payroll operations in a continuous state of audit readiness.
• Develop and maintain clear documentation of payroll processes, controls, and system workflows.
• Prepare audit schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation for the annual financial statement audit.
• Serve as primary point of contact for payroll-related audit inquiries.
• Support year-end accruals, including PTO, bonuses, payroll taxes, and benefits.
• Ensure accuracy of payroll-related balance sheet accounts and support monthly and year-end reconciliations.
• Assist with Single Audit or other compliance audits as needed.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable U.S. wage and hour laws, tax regulations, benefit plan requirements related to payroll, and nonprofit-specific regulations.
• Maintain strong internal controls over payroll processes, including segregation of duties and approval workflows.
• Monitor regulatory changes and proactively adjust payroll processes as required.
• Partner with Finance to ensure payroll transactions are properly coded and aligned with cost allocation requirements.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and scalability of payroll operations.
• Support the transition of timesheets from ADP Workforce Now to Sage Intacct, including data validation, parallel testing, and control design.
• Support the design, implementation, and testing of FlexSpring.
• Lead or support integration between Payroll, Workday (HCM), and the new Finance & Accounting system.
• Maintain payroll policies and procedure documentation.
• Support initiatives related to compensation analysis, and personnel cost forecasting.
• Contribute to expanding global payroll governance and administrative oversight as U.S. processes are optimized.
• Participate in organizational efficiency and transformation initiatives related to personnel costs.
• Provides technical supervision to the Global Payroll & Allocations Manager based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Benefits

• Three medical plan options with comprehensive prescription drug coverage
• Low-cost dental coverage
• 100% paid vision insurance
• Generous retirement plan
• PTO to include vacation, sick, holiday, parental, jury, international travel, and bereavement leave
• Employer-sponsored basic life/AD&D insurance
• Employee wellness incentives
• Employee work/life balance and assistance programs

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager