Sr Payroll Analyst-Project Hire

The Walt Disney Company • Celebration, FL

23h • Onsite

About The Position

The Global Payroll Internal Controls & Transformation Team maintains a strong control environment across the global Time and Pay Tower by partnering with payroll teams and business units to evaluate processes, strengthen compliance, mitigate risk, and drive operational efficiencies. The Senior Payroll Analyst supports this work by leading and contributing to transformation initiatives, financial posting accuracy, risk assessments, control testing, audits, procedure documentation, and solution development. This role requires strong analytical and technical skills, sound judgment, creative problem-solving, and exceptional communication, as well as a continuous learning mindset, curiosity, and the ability to think beyond traditional approaches. The ideal candidate can reimagine and reenvision processes, help partners become comfortable adopting automation and new ways of working, and demonstrate the demeanor, confidence, and influence needed to drive transformational projects across teams.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or a related field
• Minimum of 3+ years of experience in Finance or Payroll.
• Working knowledge of AI concepts, tools, and practical applications.
• Strong research, analytical, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate technical information for non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to partner effectively, present information clearly, collaborate across teams, and provide informal leadership.
• Demonstrated continuous learning mindset, intellectual curiosity, and willingness to think outside the box when evaluating processes, controls, and technology solutions.
• Ability to reimagine and reenvision processes, challenge current-state assumptions, and identify practical opportunities for transformation and improved ways of working.
• Ability to influence change, build stakeholder confidence, and help teams become comfortable adopting automation, AI, and new technology-enabled processes.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, meet deliverables, adapt to change, and guide others as needed.
• Flexibility to accommodate occasional meetings across time zones.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, database applications, and Windows-based systems.
• Experience with SAP, ServiceNow, Workday and Microsoft Office applications.
• Knowledge of Data Analytics, Visualization and AI Tools such as Copilot, Claude or other Disney approved efficiency software.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree or professional certification, such as an MBA, Master of Science in Accounting, Project Management or Certified Public Accountant designation.
• 2 years of Project Management Experience
• Experience applying financial concepts, including materiality, risk assessment, and SOX controls.
• Experience using transformation, automation, or AI-enabled tools such as Microsoft Copilot, Claude, Alteryx, Power Automate, or similar solutions to improve processes, reporting, analytics, and operational efficiency.
• Finance or Payroll experience in a shared service, corporation, or global environment.
• Experience with Data Analytics, Visualization and AI Tools such as Copilot, Claude or other Disney approved efficiency software.

Responsibilities

• Champion a strong internal control environment across the global Time and Pay Tower, including standardization of processes and controls across teams.
• Perform Payroll SOX and internal control testing, report defects, and recommend risk mitigation strategies to management.
• Lead and support transformational projects by applying a continuous learning mindset, creative problem-solving, AI, automation, and technical tools to assess risk, strengthen controls, streamline processes, reduce manual effort, and improve operational efficiency.
• Reimagine and reenvision payroll processes by challenging current-state assumptions, identifying opportunities for meaningful transformation, and focusing on improved outcomes rather than automation for automation’s sake.
• Build trust and adoption by helping payroll teams and business partners become comfortable automating aspects of their work, including communicating benefits, addressing concerns, and supporting change.
• Develop clear findings, action plans, and executive-level presentations to support decision-making and implementation.
• Serve as an advisor on control, financial reporting standards, payroll narratives, and mentor junior team members.
• Independently manage work, timelines, partners, and projects with confidentiality, integrity, accuracy, diligence, and accountability.
• Coordinate internal and external audits of payroll processes in partnership with PwC, Corporate Management Audit, and Corporate Enterprise Compliance.
• Review exception reporting to detect, research, and resolve incorrect payroll payments.
• Partner with TWDC Security and local law enforcement on payroll fraud investigations and support payroll claims monitoring activities.
• Ensure accurate payroll financial reporting in alignment with Company policy, regulatory requirements, and professional standards.
• Apply domestic and international accounting standards to establish appropriate control points and mitigate risk of material financial loss or misstatement.

Benefits

• A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

What This Job Offers

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