About This Role
The Senior Payroll Specialist is responsible for managing complex global payroll operations and serving as a subject matter expert within the payroll organization. This role partners closely with payroll service providers, Human Resources, Finance, and cross-functional stakeholders to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing across multiple countries. The position drives operational excellence through strong payroll controls, continuous process improvement, issue resolution, and knowledge sharing.
Key Responsibilities
Global Payroll Operations
Prepare, review, and approve complex payrolls across multiple countries and legal entities, ensuring compliance with statutory and company requirements.
Coordinate payroll activities with managed service providers to ensure timely and accurate payroll delivery.
Process and review special payments including bonuses, commissions, severance, retroactive adjustments, overtime, and other off-cycle payments.
Serve as the payroll subject matter expert for assigned countries and payroll processes.
Compliance, Controls & Reporting
Perform payroll audits, reconciliations, variance analysis, and control reviews to ensure payroll accuracy and compliance.
Investigate and resolve complex payroll discrepancies, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions.
Maintain working knowledge of payroll legislation, tax regulations, and statutory requirements within assigned countries.
Prepare, review, and analyze payroll reports, metrics, and supporting documentation as required.
Stakeholder & Vendor Partnership
Partner with Human Resources to ensure employee data, benefits, and organizational changes are accurately reflected within Workday and payroll systems.
Collaborate with payroll service providers, Finance, Benefits, and other stakeholders to resolve payroll-related issues and improve service delivery.
Support internal and external audit activities and compliance reviews.
Process Improvement & Project Support
Lead or support payroll projects, implementations, testing efforts, acquisitions, and process enhancement initiatives.
Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, strengthen controls, reduce risk, and increase operational efficiency.
Maintain payroll documentation, process maps, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and training materials.
Team Development
Mentor and train payroll team members, supporting cross-training and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
Provide guidance on complex payroll matters and assist with escalation management as needed.
Qualifications
Education
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field preferred.
CPP, FPC, or equivalent payroll certification preferred.
Experience
Minimum 5 years of payroll experience with progressive responsibility.
Experience supporting multi-country or global payroll operations.
Experience working with outsourced payroll providers and payroll audits.
Demonstrated expertise managing complex payroll calculations, compliance requirements, and issue resolution.
Technical Skills
Experience with ADP, Workday, or comparable payroll and HRIS platforms.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including payroll analysis and reconciliations.
Strong understanding of payroll controls, reporting, and compliance requirements.
Core Competencies
Payroll Compliance & Controls
Analytical Problem Solving & Root Cause Analysis
Stakeholder & Vendor Management
Communication & Collaboration
Process Improvement & Change Management
Attention to Detail & Confidentiality
Independent Judgment & Accountability
Ability to Thrive in a Fast-Paced Global Environment
#LI-CJ1
Who are we?
At Gartner, Inc. (NYSE:IT), we guide the leaders who shape the world.
Our mission relies on expert analysis and bold ideas to deliver actionable, objective business and technology insights, helping enterprise leaders and their teams succeed with their mission-critical priorities.
Since our founding…