Senior Vice President, Global Payroll & Payroll Systems Business Owner

Edelman•Chicago, IL

9d•$180,000 - $240,000

About The Position

Edelman is seeking a Senior Vice President, Global Payroll & Payroll Systems to lead the evolution of its global payroll operations, technology, and service delivery strategy. The role is part of the Financial Shared Services team and will modernize payroll operations, establish scalable processes, and help drive Edelman’s multi-phase global Workday implementation. The position partners with senior leaders across Finance, People, and IT to strengthen payroll capabilities, improve the employee experience, and support global growth. The successful candidate will lead payroll delivery across the US, Canada, UK, and Ireland, while shaping an operating model that can scale to additional markets and balance consistent global standards with local regulatory requirements. As senior payroll business owner for the Workday implementation, this leader will guide business requirements, process design, readiness, adoption, and optimization. The role also advances automation, self-service, data integrity, payroll governance, controls, compliance, and continuous improvement; develops high-performing payroll teams; and partners across business functions and regions.

Requirements

At least 15 years of progressive experience in payroll and/or finance operations leadership, including 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, with a record of 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 certification, such as CPP, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or Workday.

Responsibilities

Oversee global payroll delivery across the US, Canada, UK, and Ireland, ensuring accurate, timely, compliant, and efficient services and establishing a scalable approach for additional markets.
Define and evolve the global payroll operating model, service delivery approach, and Center of Excellence while 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, continuous improvement, and the long-term payroll technology strategy, including Workday and ADP.
Establish payroll governance, reconciliations, reporting, and audit-ready controls, and proactively manage operational risk and business continuity.
Lead, coach, and develop payroll professionals, fostering accountability, collaboration, continuous learning, and operational excellence.
Partner 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.