Director, Global Payroll and Employment Tax

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, and expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine.

About the role

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Requirements

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.

Work Environment

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.

Benefits

• Competitive base pay and company stock as part of your total compensation package.
• 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.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Subsidized EV charging.
• Onsite fitness centers (where available) and discounted gym memberships.
• Complimentary snacks and beverages.
• 50% employee discount on our popular merch store.
• Various other employee discounts.

Pay

Base Pay Range (CA Only): $152,300 USD - $203,000 USD. Level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.