Head of Internal Payroll

About the Role:

Now is the perfect time to join Gusto as an Internal Payroll Technical Subject Matter Expert (SME). As we build our Foundation teams, we’re bringing in the talent that will take us to the next level, and this role will be a key part of that journey.

As we expand and take on more international opportunities and larger transactions, we’re looking for a player-coach who can also serve as a technical advisor to internal stakeholders. The ideal candidate is proactive, self-driven, and able to manage their workload with minimal supervision. This role involves leading the team by fostering independence, offering support when necessary, and holding team members accountable while empowering them to take ownership of their projects and tasks.

Here’s what you’ll do day-to-day:

• Lead global payroll team and ensure accurate and timely processing of payroll for over 2,500 employees; Set a strategic direction and vision to support growth, scale of the operations and oversee operations to drive strong performance and goal achievement.
• Manage the relationships and monitor the effectiveness of all global payroll service providers while assessing the need for change when we have outgrown a partnership 
• Proactively partner and collaborate with key stakeholders such as Compensation, Benefits, Stock Administration, IT, Finance, Tax, Legal and third-party service providers to ensure seamless, compliant practices.
• Develop additional payroll procedures, controls and ensure streamlined preparation, documentation, and disbursement of payroll-related payments
• Scale processes to enhance payroll operational efficiency including the design and implementation of internal controls and maintain payroll policies and procedures
• Implement new approaches and automation, policies and procedures that affect continual improvements in efficiency of services performed
• Oversee payroll audits on data and system maintenance, including, but not limited to new hire set up, tax forms processing, local taxes, timekeeping input, direct deposit set up, benefits set up, terminations, and garnishments processing;  Perform and monitor internal controls related to payroll to comply with internal controls and other country-specific legal requirements; recommend improvements to optimize processes 
• Partner with our tax team and external tax consultants to ensure we remain current on new legislation and regulatory rulings impacting payroll
• Provide regular payroll-related operational and financial metrics, insights to leadership and service level agreements are met by the team (e.g., response times, issue trend analysis, resolution of tickets).

Here’s what we're looking for:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Finance / Accounting, or related discipline
• 12+ years of experience in payroll operations, with specific experience in a global company
• Thrive in a global, fast-paced, and dynamic work environment.  Ability to manage high job complexity and constant multi-tasking with exceptional attention to detail; Well organized, able to prioritize well, work efficiently; Shows flexibility as workloads fluctuate
• Strong background in international payroll as well as expertise in US federal, state, and local payroll taxation
• Experience in a high volume company supporting a population of 2500k+ exempt and non-exempt employees using Workday.
• Strong project management experience and drive to streamline processes at scale
• Experience onboarding new payroll vendors and transitioning global payroll to different systems
• Ability to communicate effectively with cross-functional business partners, internal/external stakeholders
• Strong understanding of upstream data inputs and end-to-end integrated processes related to time & attendance, benefits and payroll
• Strong problem-solving, planning, and execution skills, coupled with an ownership mentality to ensure tasks are seen through to completion
• Experience mentoring, coaching, and development to create high-performing teams
• Is able to go into the New York City/San Francisco office two days per week
• Is able to meet in person for their team's scheduled collaboration weeks, traveling if necessary to the hub where their team is based
• Special projects and assignments as needed

Our cash compensation amount for this role is between $137,000 - $162,000/year in Denver and between $161,000 - $190,000/year for New York/San Francisco. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors including candidate location, experience and expertise and may vary from the amounts listed above.