International Payroll Manager

Accounting & Finance

Palo Alto, CA Apr 29, 2026

International Payroll Senior Manager

Department: Finance / Payroll

Location: Remote (US-based) — W2 Only

Role Type: Contract (3 months to start, with potential extension)

About Our Client

Our client is a fast-growing, globally recognized leader in data security and cloud data management, trusted by thousands of enterprises across financial services, healthcare, government, and beyond. With offices spanning North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, they protect some of the world's most critical data against ransomware, outages, and cyber threats. Their platform-first approach and commitment to zero-trust data security have made them a category-defining force in the industry — and their rapid growth is creating exciting opportunities across their global operations teams.

Job Description

Our client is seeking an experienced International Payroll Senior Manager to join their global finance operations team on a contract basis. In this role, you will serve as the operational and strategic backbone of the company's payroll function across EMEA and APAC regions, ensuring thousands of employees are paid accurately and on time in full compliance with local labor laws, tax regulations, and corporate policy.

This is a high-impact, highly visible role that bridges Finance, HR, and Legal. You'll be the senior voice on all things international payroll — from vendor management and systems integration to audit readiness and cross-functional collaboration with HR leadership. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who thrives in fast-paced, scaling environments and can hit the ground running with minimal ramp-up.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end payroll cycle for thousands of employees across EMEA and APAC jurisdictions
• Manage relationships with Global Managed Service Providers; conduct periodic RFPs to ensure cost-effectiveness
• Partner with IT to ensure seamless data integration between Workday HCM, E*Trade, third-party vendors, and global payroll systems
• Review off-cycle payroll, ensure timely check processing, and audit payroll reports for accuracy
• Handle escalated payroll inquiries and resolve issues in a timely, thorough manner
• Collaborate cross-functionally with HR on new hire onboarding, terminations, and leaves of absence
• Develop and maintain internal controls to ensure quality, efficiency, and regulatory compliance across all payroll functions
• Coordinate with Finance/Treasury to ensure international bank accounts are funded and currency conversions are managed to prevent delays
• Lead internal and external audits; maintain payroll records in a perpetually audit-ready state
• Proactively identify and drive improvements in payroll systems, policies, and processes; champion automation and scalability
• Manage complex payroll scenarios for expatriates, digital nomads, and shadow payroll arrangements
• Monitor legislative changes across jurisdictions to ensure ongoing compliance and mitigate legal risk
• Drive change management and successful adoption of payroll process updates across the organization
• Mentor and develop payroll team members on technical knowledge, customer service, and professional growth
  
  

Required Experience & Skills

• 12–15 years of payroll experience, with at least 5 years in a multinational environment
• Hands-on experience with Workday HCM (required)
• Experience with payroll, time & attendance, HRIS, and third-party payroll service providers
• Strong project management skills; ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including change management and stakeholder education
• Strong analytical and decision-making capabilities
• Demonstrated ability to design, improve, and scale operational processes
• Proven track record of delivering results through cross-functional influence and collaboration
• Self-starter mentality — able to lead and drive results without constant direction
  
  

Nice-to-Haves

• CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) certification
• Experience with E*Trade or similar equity/stock plan platforms
• Background in implementation and systems integration projects
• Prior experience in a high-growth tech or SaaS environment
  
  

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or a related field required.

Pay & Benefits Summary

• $75/hour
• 3-month contract with potential for extension
• Fully remote
• W2 Only — NO C2C / No Third Parties
  
  

Apply today — this role is actively interviewing and the client is looking to move quickly!

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