Head of Payroll & Equity

For our client, we are seeking a Head of Payroll & Equity to join the team of a leader in the Pharmaceuticals & Biotech space. This leader will oversee global payroll and equity administration functions, with a strong focus on scalable operations, governance, and control readiness in a fast-changing environment. The role partners closely with Accounting and senior stakeholders to ensure accurate stock-based compensation, compliant payroll operations, and sound systems architecture. You will also guide international expansion, build strong resourcing plans, and continuously improve processes through technology and automation. Location: San Francisco, CA - US based candidates only, no visa sponsorship available Compensation: $570,000 – $610,000 annually Responsibilities Lead and develop the equity administration and payroll teams, setting strategy and priorities Own the control environment for equity and payroll, ensuring compliance with public company standards Oversee the scaling of operations to meet public company requirements Drive systems strategy for compensation platforms, ensuring coherent architecture Serve as the primary escalation point for equity and payroll matters with key stakeholders Manage international expansion, including payroll setup and cross-border compliance Collaborate with Accounting on stock-based compensation and payroll accounting Drive automation and continuous improvement of processes through technology solutions Build headcount and resourcing plans that align with business growth Qualifications 15+ years of experience in equity compensation and/or payroll operations, with leadership experience Experience operating equity and payroll functions to public company standards Familiarity with equity management platforms such as Shareworks or E*TRADE and Workday payroll Proven track record in building and scaling global operations across multiple jurisdictions Strong people leadership skills, with experience developing senior functional experts Ability to thrive in fast-paced, ambiguous environments with a focus on scalable processes Benefits Visa sponsorship available Hybrid work policy requiring 25% in-office presence Encouragement for diverse candidates to apply, regardless of meeting all qualifications Commitment to safety and protection against recruitment scams Our client is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every qualification—your background could be exactly what this team needs.