Head of Payroll, Americas – Remote

Job Title

Head of Payroll, Americas – Remote

Job Description Summary

The Head of Payroll, Americas will provide strategic and operational leadership and serve as a strategic partner responsible for the design, implementation, administration, and communication of the Company’s Payroll, Payroll Tax, and Union Benefit programs for North, Central and South America. The Head of Payroll, Americas will oversee the practices/procedures of Payroll, Payroll Tax, and Union Benefits teams and serve as the escalation point for resolution, development, and improvement. This position is responsible to achieve the organizations goals and objectives in the most effective and efficient manner. Additional responsibilities include compliance with all federal, state, local/provincial laws, support of staff, business partners, and internal/external clients.

Job Description

Responsibilities:

• Designs, evaluates, develops, recommends, and implements short-term and long-term payroll policies, processes, and system enhancements designed to improve business processes for accuracy and efficiencies within the Americas payroll departments.
• Participate in the creation of, and adherence to, global metrics and SLAs to monitor payroll performance.
• Analyzes complex transactions, identifies issues, and works with internal and external operational teams to identify causes, assess risks, and implement plans to eliminate future occurrence.
• Provide pro-active leadership to the teams by maintaining and improving payroll practices and related information management.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and provincial wage and hour laws, as well as collective bargaining agreements.
• Partner with various internal departments including finance (controllership, treasury), HRIS, Operations, Human Resources, IT, and Legal, and manage external payroll service vendor relationships (TALX, BOA, KRONOS, Equifax, Workday, ADP, etc.).
• Ensure process documentation, standard operating procedures, and SOX documents are maintained and current at all times.
• Engages in various audits, including meeting with third party auditors, developing strategies, and preparing documentation.
• Maintain open communications regarding payroll developments affecting employees.
• Develop a thorough understanding of the capabilities and shortcomings of existing processes, including timekeeping and benefits, and identify opportunities to leverage them to business operations.
• Oversee the development of production and ad hoc reports to ensure information is available in a timely and efficient manner.
• Provide leadership and guidance for resolution support associated with payroll, payroll tax, and union benefit issues and procedures.
• Remain current on new legislation and regulatory rulings impacting payroll. Enforce adherence and advise management on required actions.
• Mentor, train, and develop staff to maintain high-performing payroll teams within the Americas
• Participate on project teams as needed.

Required Skills Summary:

The incumbent should possess an in-depth knowledge of payroll and payroll tax laws in North, Central and South America and compliance, regulations, and requirements relative to the accurate delivery of services for large employee populations (10,000 and above). The incumbent should be a skilled communicator, both in verbal and written form; self-motivated, detail-oriented, and possess the ability to manage competing priorities with time sensitive deadlines. The ability to provide excellent customer service in an accurate, professional, and timely manner should be paramount. Additionally, the incumbent should possess key problem-solving skills with the ability to work through complex issues and recommend effective solutions.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 15 years of payroll experience within a global setting, preferably the Americas
• WD Payroll experience
• At least 10 years of payroll management experience
• CPP or FPC certification a plus
• Experience in building payroll operating model, including system implementation and service delivery
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance (or related fields) or equivalent experience
• Multi-state/Multi-company/Multi-jurisdictional payroll tax and labor law experience
• Ability to analyze data and recommend changes based on findings
• Experience working in a Shared Services Delivery Model
• Proven Experience leading large complex teams
• Public Company (SOX 404 experience) Required
• Job Cost payroll and Billing Experience Preferred
• Union Experience Preferred
• Ability to communicate effectively and clearly

Cushman & Wakefield provides equal employment opportunity. Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated. Cushman & Wakefield is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position at Cushman & Wakefield, email HRServices@cushwake.com or HRServices@cwservices.com. All inquiries not related to accommodations will go unanswered.