Head of Global Payroll

As our Global Payroll Operations Leader, you will be responsible for providing strategic direction on global payroll across the globe. The ideal candidate is experienced in Global Payroll Operations and has a passion for creating innovative payroll solutions. Responsible for global payroll strategy, planning and communications, this position will foster relationships with senior internal stakeholders by establishing and maintaining exceptional business relationships and working collaboratively with other corporate and country-level teams including HR, Legal, Tax, Treasury, Employee Benefits, Compensation, IT, and Finance. 

This individual is expected to oversee day to day payroll operations, support new and existing pay programs (local and global), manage vendor contracts and relationships, and drive process standardization, automation, and improvement in the controls for payroll globally. 

The position will also oversee the team in global expansion initiatives including exploring and managing the implementation of 3rd party vendors and/or internal systems to ensure payroll accuracy and compliance in multiple countries. Finally, this position will be responsible for the coaching, mentoring and leadership of the team of individuals and managers that provide the day-to-day payroll support. 

This role is based out of Okta’s headquarters in San Francisco, CA, and reports to the VP of Accounting.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop payroll strategy and operating model within the context of a rapidly expanding operations globally 
• Drive appropriate consistent processes across the globe and coordinate efforts towards global process standardization while allowing flexibility locally when required
• Maximize the effectiveness of technologies and supporting processes to drive continuous improvement and change initiatives
• Own oversight of Global Payroll to ensure compliance with all corporate and country-specific policies and procedures
• Drive controls and operational excellence including, but not limited to, SOX oversight and controls and compliance programs
• Ensure process design supports fiscal and regulatory compliance
• Establish partnerships with third-party vendors to ensure effective service delivery
• Coach, mentor and provide leadership development to team members in order to optimize operational excellence and create a deeper bench of experienced talent
• Build partnerships and solicit feedback from internal and external business partners to define and develop successful, scalable processes and practices
• Manage the global and/or regional payroll vendor relationships, including selection, negotiation, consolidation, and management
• Provide audit and oversight to the team's activities and processes, ensuring that pertinent internal and external compliance and government interaction standards are met
• Implement and leverage technology that best fits our program and needs, including implementing a payroll ticketing system to improve employee service and support model 

Job Requirements:

• 15+ years of experience with global payroll and payroll tax at large multi-national companies
• B.S. or B.A. required and an active CPP and/or CPA certification is a plus
• Experience with global payrolls larger than 6,000 employees
• Strong leadership and team management skills with a proven track record of building high-performing teams
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to effectively collaborate with internal teams, external partners, and senior management
• Proven track record of scaling payroll function and experience transforming a payroll function that is very manual to one that is highly scalable and efficient
• Comprehensive knowledge of payroll software and systems, as well as the ability to evaluate, implement, or upgrade payroll technology as needed. Advanced level experience of Workday required
• Experience leading geographically dispersed teams across different time zones
• Highly proficient in interpreting local and international payroll rules and regulations
• Deep understanding of equity reporting processes as it relates to payroll and payroll taxes globally
• Experience implementing payroll in new countries and for acquired companies
• Knowledge of data privacy regulations and the ability to maintain strict data protection protocols to safeguard sensitive employee information
• Highly analytical with working knowledge of general payroll protocols and accounting principles
• Experience with end to end M&A activities from a payroll perspective

 

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Okta’s Top 5 Core Leadership Competencies are part of the deeply ingrained principles that guide all of our company’s actions. They also align strongly to our cultural cornerstones, our Okta values: love our customers, empower our people, never stop innovating, act with integrity, and maintain transparency. It’s our expectation that our managers and leaders embody these core competencies: