Payroll Manager

About the role

Airship is looking for a Global Payroll Manager to lead and manage payroll operations across the U.S. and international regions — including the UK, France, Germany, Singapore, Canada, Ireland, and India — while building out a standardized, compliant, and high-functioning global payroll function from the ground up. This is a hands-on and strategic role: you'll own end-to-end payroll processing while also driving the policies, controls, and process improvements that scale with a growing global organization.

Payroll Operations & Processing

• Oversee end-to-end payroll for U.S. multi-state payroll and international payrolls across the UK, France, Germany, Singapore, Canada, Ireland, and India
• Process bi-weekly U.S. payroll for exempt, non-exempt, and temporary employees, plus off-cycle payments as needed
• Partner with local service providers on monthly international payroll processing — salary calculations, deductions, statutory contributions, garnishments, commissions, and benefits
• Review and validate payroll inputs/outputs including employee data, timesheets, benefits, and deductions
• Perform payroll accounting activities, including journal entries and payroll GL reconciliations
• Cook up year-end and new-year payroll processes and HRIS setup, including tax reporting and jurisdiction-specific compliance filings
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee payroll inquiries, handling pay, tax, and benefits questions with professionalism and discretion

Payroll Transformation & Process Development

• Develop and implement global payroll policies, procedures, and controls
• Identify process gaps and inefficiencies, implementing best practices and streamlined workflows
• Establish payroll controls including reconciliations, spot checks, variance analysis, and audit trails
• Lead payroll system enhancements, upgrades, and integrations
• Drive standardization and automation across regions while accommodating local regulatory requirements

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with local payroll regulations and tax laws across all countries of operation
• Conduct periodic payroll audits and partner with internal/external auditors
• Maintain payroll data integrity in compliance with data protection regulations (including GDPR)
• Manage state and local reporting, filings, and workers' compensation reporting
• Administer 401k processes and employee-employer contribution plans

Vendor & Stakeholder Management

• Manage relationships with international payroll service providers, ensuring SLAs are met
• Collaborate with People Ops, Finance, and IT to gather requirements and integrate payroll with HRIS and time & attendance systems

Training, Reporting & Leadership

• Develop and deliver payroll training to People Ops, Finance, and relevant teams
• Monitor and report on payroll performance metrics, recommending continuous improvements
• Supervise the payroll processing team