Senior Vice President, Global Payroll & Payroll Systems Business Owner

Daniel J. Edelman•Chicago, IL

About The Position

Edelman is seeking a senior payroll leader to evolve its global payroll operations, technology, and service delivery strategy. As part of the Financial Shared Services team, this role will modernize payroll operations, build scalable processes, and lead the payroll business perspective for Edelman’s multi-phase global Workday implementation. The position partners with senior leaders across Finance, People, IT, and other functions to improve payroll capabilities and the employee experience while supporting global growth. The role oversees payroll delivery across the US, Canada, UK, and Ireland and establishes a scalable approach for additional markets. It shapes the global payroll operating model, service delivery approach, and Center of Excellence; guides Workday requirements, process design, readiness, adoption, and optimization; and advances payroll technology, automation, self-service, and data integrity. The role also establishes governance, reconciliations, reporting, and audit-ready controls, manages operational risk and business continuity, and develops high-performing payroll teams. Edelman emphasizes respectful conduct, inclusion, collaboration, and continuous learning. The position requires at least 15 years of progressive payroll and/or finance operations leadership experience, including leadership of global teams in complex, matrixed organizations, experience overseeing multi-jurisdiction payroll operations and compliance, experience managing major payroll provider relationships including ADP, and a bachelor’s degree in a related field. The stated annual salary range is $180,000–$240,000. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, paid time off, and region-specific benefits.

Requirements

At least 15 years of progressive experience in payroll and/or finance operations leadership, including experience leading global teams in complex, matrixed organizations.
Experience overseeing payroll operations, compliance, controls, and service delivery across multiple jurisdictions.
Experience managing major payroll provider relationships, including ADP.
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Human Resources, Information Systems, or a related field.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading payroll operations at a VP level or equivalent, developing global teams, and driving organizational transformation.
Strong working knowledge of payroll tax, statutory requirements, and regulatory compliance across the US, Canada, UK, and Ireland.
Experience designing global payroll operating models, establishing Centers of Excellence, and driving process standardization and continuous improvement.
Familiarity with Workday HCM implementations, payroll integrations, and enterprise payroll technology strategy.
Expertise in payroll data governance, operational risk, internal controls, reporting, analytics, and global data privacy.
Ability to influence executive stakeholders, manage cross-functional initiatives, and translate business priorities into measurable operational outcomes.
Strong financial acumen, strategic judgment, communication, and people leadership skills.
Advanced degree or relevant professional certifications, such as CPP, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or Workday certification.

Responsibilities

Oversee payroll delivery across the US, Canada, UK, and Ireland, ensuring accurate, timely, compliant, and efficient service, and establish a scalable approach for additional markets.
Define and evolve the global payroll operating model, service delivery approach, and global Center of Excellence, balancing consistent standards with local regulatory requirements.
Serve as senior payroll business owner for the multi-phase Workday implementation, guiding business requirements, process design, readiness, adoption, and ongoing optimization.
Champion automation, self-service, data integrity, and continuous improvement, and shape long-term payroll technology strategy, including Workday and ADP.
Establish payroll governance, reconciliations, reporting, and audit-ready controls, while proactively managing operational risk and business continuity.
Lead, coach, and develop payroll professionals, fostering accountability, collaboration, continuous learning, and operational excellence.
Collaborate with Finance, People, IT, Legal, Tax, Treasury, and regional stakeholders to align payroll capabilities with business priorities and regulatory requirements.
Promote an inclusive culture, respectful conduct, diverse perspectives, and continuous learning across teams and partnerships.