Senior Associate, Global Payroll

Job Posting Organization:
The Foundation is the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to combating poverty, disease, and inequity on a global scale. Founded on the principle that all individuals, regardless of their identity or circumstances, should have the opportunity to lead healthy and productive lives, the Foundation is committed to reflecting the rich diversity of the populations it serves. It offers an exceptional benefits package that includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with no premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, a foundation-paid retirement contribution, regional holidays, and opportunities for employees to engage in various communities. The Foundation is dedicated to fostering an environment where employees can thrive both personally and professionally.

Job Overview:
The Senior Associate on the Global Payroll team plays a crucial role in leading the processing of payroll for both U.S. and international employees. This position requires a problem solver who can act as a trusted business partner, possessing a deep understanding of payroll operations in both domestic and international contexts. The individual will be responsible for ensuring accurate calculations of wages, tax withholdings, and company deductions, as well as ensuring compliance with governmental reporting requirements. This role is vital for maintaining the integrity of payroll operations and ensuring that employees are paid accurately and on time. The position is a limited-term role lasting 24 months, and relocation assistance will be provided for the right candidate.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Associate will oversee the end-to-end payroll service delivery for a multi-jurisdiction workforce, ensuring that payroll outcomes are accurate, timely, and compliant with all relevant regulations. The individual will serve as a subject matter expert on payroll requirements and statutory obligations, and will be responsible for researching and analyzing new payroll and employer compliance requirements. This includes managing relationships with outsourced payroll providers and in-country partners, setting expectations, monitoring service level agreements (SLAs), and driving corrective actions when necessary. The role also involves establishing cross-functional partnerships within the Global Financial & Accounting Services (GFAS) team and other operations teams, such as HR, Legal, and IT, to develop solutions to complex payroll issues. Additionally, the Senior Associate will lead and coordinate payroll-specific audit support for compliance testing or financial statement preparation, identify and recommend updates to payroll processes and systems, and provide responsive support to employees and partners by resolving payroll inquiries with a customer-service mindset.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree or an advanced degree in accounting or finance, along with at least 7 years of payroll experience, or a minimum of 10 years of payroll experience. A progressive technical expertise in payroll operations and related HRIS systems, preferably Workday, is required, along with a continuous improvement mindset. Experience in international payroll processing, particularly in the UK and/or India, is highly preferred. Candidates should have excellent organizational skills, the ability to work independently, and the capability to prioritize tasks in a dynamic environment while maintaining a high degree of accuracy. Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to communicate effectively with various stakeholders are essential, as is a detailed knowledge of payroll best practices related to risk, internal controls, audit readiness, accounting, and regulatory matters. Candidates must also demonstrate strong judgment and a customer-service orientation, with proven discretion in handling sensitive data.

Educational Background:
The position requires a Bachelor’s degree or an advanced degree in accounting or finance. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary knowledge and skills to manage complex payroll operations effectively.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least 7 years of payroll experience, or 10+ years of payroll experience, with a strong emphasis on progressive technical expertise in payroll operations. Experience with HRIS systems, particularly Workday, is preferred, and candidates should have a solid understanding of international payroll processing, especially in the UK and/or India.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is essential due to the nature of the role and the need for effective communication with various stakeholders. Additional language skills may be beneficial, particularly in regions where the Foundation operates internationally.

Additional Notes:
This position is a limited-term role for 24 months, and relocation assistance will be provided. The salary range for this role is between $107,400 to $161,200 USD, with higher ranges for positions located in Seattle and Washington D.C. The Foundation recognizes high-wage market differences in these locations, with salaries typically falling between the range minimum and midpoint based on the candidate’s skills, experience, and expertise. The Foundation does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role, and candidates must have unrestricted work authorization in the country where the position is located. Additionally, as part of the hiring process, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check.