What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director, Global Payroll and Employment Tax position at Rocket Lab USA?
ABOUT ROCKET LAB
Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity's reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.
FINANCE
Rocket Lab's Finance team is responsible for all financial transactions for the company, operating as a well-oiled machine to maximize the value of our work. Our Finance team are made up of planners, analysts and accountants, and manage our policies, compliance, and reporting. They're the ones who keep our financial operations in check, always thinking ahead and taking care to meet all of our financial, business, and government obligations. They're attentive, diligent, and meticulous, and are mission-critical to Rocket Lab.
DIRECTOR, GLOBAL PAYROLL AND EMPLOYMENT TAX
Based onsite at Rocket Lab's headquarters in Long Beach, California, the Director, Global Payroll and Employment Tax owns the global payroll and employment-tax compliance architecture for a global workforce of 3,000 employees across multiple U.S. and international locations. This role ensures accurate, timely, and compliant day-to-day payroll processing co-sourced through ADP. The Payroll Manager partners closely with HR, Finance, Accounting, IT, and cross-functional stakeholders to maintain payroll integrity, streamline processes, and drive continuous improvement across payroll systems and workflows.
WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:
- Oversee bi-weekly and semi-monthly payroll processing for salaried and hourly employees across multiple domestic and international locations.
- Ensure full compliance with federal, state, and international payroll regulations, tax laws, and reporting requirements.
- Lead, mentor, and develop the payroll accounting team, including training, coaching, and performance management.
- Validate, reconcile, and audit payroll data to ensure accuracy in payments, deductions, reporting, and historical records.
- Manage payroll operations related to new hires, terminations, pay changes, and employee benefit and compensation programs (401(k), HSA, ESPP, stock-based compensation).
- Deploy ADP NZ, ensuring compliance with the Holidays Act 2003, KiwiSaver/ESCT, and IRD payday filing requirements.
- Manage shadow payroll, day-count tracking, and assignment documentation for staff working across multiple jurisdictions.
- Oversee the consolidation and integration activities for mergers and acquisitions.
- Own all payroll-cycle corporate and finance controls.
- Oversee manual and off-cycle check processing as needed.
- Investigate, reconcile, and resolve payroll, benefit, and tax discrepancies.
- Partner with People & Culture, IT, Finance, and Accounting to ensure seamless integrations, data integrity, and efficient workflows.
- Drive process improvements and evaluate best practices to enhance payroll systems, reporting, automation, and scalability.
- Support month-end close through journal entries, reconciliations, and required reporting.
- Stay current on global payroll regulations, trends, and compliance requirements.
YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:
- 12 years of multi-country payroll experience, including APAC and EMEA compliance, co-sourced payroll operations, and ADP vendor management across the U.S. and international regions.
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience (HS diploma & 16 years of work experience).
- Demonstrated experience managing and developing payroll teams.
- Strong knowledge of U.S. and international payroll compliance, tax regulations, and reporting requirements.
- Proficiency with payroll systems such as ADP, Workday, or similar platforms.
THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:
- Experience with NZ and German payroll, M&A payroll integration, and mobility/shadow payroll processes.
- Knowledge of GovCon payroll, Costpoint, SOX compliance, and holds or is pursuing the CPP certification.
- Strong analytical, auditing, and problem-solving skills.
- Proven ability to drive process improvements and implement scalable payroll solutions.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively across departments and locations.
This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.
Join one of the world's fastest-growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive base pay,you'll receive company stock as part of your total compensation package, giving you a direct stake in our success. As we expand to new launch sites, groundbreaking missions, and global markets, your ownership has the opportunity to grow alongside the company.
Our comprehensive benefits package includes our industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock), top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, and a zero cost HDHP option with a significant HSA company contribution), dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
Additional perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers (where available), discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on our popular merch store, and a variety of other employee discounts.
Level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
WHAT TO EXPECT
We're on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that's not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other's backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.
Important information:
FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.
Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at g.biow@rocketlabusa.com.This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.
FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:
For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.
Rocket Lab USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, employment with Rocket Lab USA is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Salary : $152,300