Senior Payroll Analyst

Overview

This role ensures accurate, on-time payroll for employees working across multiple entities and Employer of Record (EOR) partnerships. The Global Payroll Analyst is responsible for administering payroll globally, ensuring compliance with tax, social security, and retirement requirements in each territory where payroll is processed, and partnering with HR and Finance to continuously improve payroll operations.

Responsibilities

Payroll Operations & Accuracy

• Own the employee payroll experience by responding to payroll inquiries professionally and accurately, with clear communication and timely issue resolution.
• Process global payroll across all organizational entities and Employer of Record platforms, ensuring on-time delivery and 100% payroll accuracy while managing multiple concurrent payroll cycles.
• Maintain compensation, health benefits, and retirement plan administration across multiple jurisdictions.
• Perform regular audits and reviews to ensure compensation and benefits information is accurately recorded in payroll.
• Maintain payroll checklists, country-specific SOPs, and payroll documentation.
• Complete monthly retirement and benefits audits with 100% accuracy.

Global Payroll Expertise & Compliance

• Maintain working knowledge of international tax, social security, and retirement requirements across every territory supported.
• Proactively identify regulatory changes requiring payroll configuration updates.
• Take ownership of timely statutory filings and registrations with US and international payroll agencies.
• Coordinate with local in-country service providers to ensure international payroll is accurate and delivered on time.
• Manage relationships with payroll vendors and external partners to resolve delays or issues.
• Maintain strong payroll controls, including approval workflows, segregation of duties, and regular review of audit trails to prevent processing errors.
• Lead efforts to automate and scale payroll operations.

Process Improvement & Cross-Functional Partnership

• Partner with core HR, Finance, and other stakeholders to establish and refine global payroll best practices.
• Partner with HR, Finance, and Legal to manage payroll-related notices, including wage garnishments, tax notices, agency audits, statutory workforce reporting, and other federal, state, and local communications—ensuring timely action, accurate documentation, and compliance.
• Deliver at least one payroll process improvement or enhancement each quarter.
• Support US and international payroll transformation efforts, including automation initiatives, as payroll expands into new markets.
• Communicate payroll matters clearly to colleagues and senior leadership, translating technical details into actionable guidance.

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience as a payroll specialist or administrator, including international payroll and/or payroll across multiple organizations/entities and pay cycles.
• Excellent attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills across teams and time zones.
• Technology savvy with hands-on experience in HRIS systems. Rippling, MTH Numbers, and Vistra experience a plus.
• Independent and resourceful, with good judgment on what should be escalated and clear communication when escalation is needed.
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and thoughtfully across time zones.
• Comfort managing multiple competing priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Intellectual curiosity and a drive to improve, including a willingness to learn from mistakes.
• Collaborative, selfless approach to teamwork.
• Familiarity with statutory payroll mechanics in several of the following: Garnishments, UK PAYE and pension management, Netherlands Zvw contributions, Singapore CPF, Malaysia SOCSO/EPF, and general LATAM social security; contractual versus at-will employment; FLSA classifications.
• Preferred: Knowledge of GDPR, ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, and emerging regulatory issues.
• Preferred: Experience calculating and processing variable compensation (bonuses, commissions, incentives, and other supplemental earnings) while ensuring accuracy and compliance with local payroll regulations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with variable compensation processing (bonuses, commissions, incentives, and other supplemental earnings) with strong accuracy and compliance.
• Knowledge of GDPR, ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, and emerging regulatory issues.
• Experience working with HRIS systems including Rippling, MTH Numbers, or Vistra.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: $75,000–$85,000/year (based on experience and location)
• High-quality health, dental, and vision plan options
• Open PTO
• 401(k) with company match

Location

• Remote (U.S.) — Carlsbad, CA preferred, not required
• Hours: Pacific time zone hours preferred

Reporting & Team

• Department: People Team
• Reports to: Manager, Payroll & Human Resources
• Team: Individual contributor; partners closely with HR, Finance, and local in-country payroll providers

Success Metrics

• Payroll Accuracy: High accuracy with minimized errors across all entities
• On-Time Payroll Delivery: 100% of payroll processing deadlines across all countries and payroll cycles
• Employee Experience: Responsive, professional support that resolves payroll inquiries promptly
• Compliance: Payroll processes comply with applicable federal, state, local, and international payroll laws, tax regulations, and company policies; agencies and payroll data are accurate and in good standing for quarterly filings by maintaining statutory account notices, openings and closures
• Issue Resolution: Efficient investigation and resolution of payroll discrepancies, including root-cause identification and preventative solutions
• Process Improvement: Streamline payroll processes to improve efficiency and reduce manual effort while maintaining strong internal controls
• Data Integrity: Accurate payroll records and employee data while maintaining confidentiality and data privacy compliance
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Strong partnerships with HR, Finance, and external payroll providers
• Audit Readiness: Complete and accurate documentation to support internal and external payroll audits
• Continuous Learning: Stay current on payroll legislation, tax changes, and best practices, applying updates proactively

First 90 Days

• Develop a strong understanding of payroll systems, vendors, processes, and country-specific payroll requirements.
• Complete onboarding and shadow at least one full payroll cycle end-to-end across multiple entities.
• Build working relationships with local in-country payroll providers and key HR and Finance partners.
• Process the first payroll cycle independently with appropriate support.

First 180 Days

• Independently manage global payroll operations with accuracy, consistency, and accountability.
• Ensure all payroll cycles are completed on time and in compliance with applicable regulations.
• Act as a trusted payroll partner by proactively identifying opportunities to streamline processes, strengthen controls, improve efficiency, and enhance the employee payroll experience.