Cushman & Wakefield is looking for a Payroll Global Process Owner to join our People Experience & Services team, which is focused on business partnership, innovation, automation, and process improvement. As the Payroll Global Process Owner, you will be responsible for leading the development and execution of the vision, mission, governance, and functional strategy for Cushman & Wakefield’s global payroll processes. The role will provide value to the business by supporting and executing key payroll process optimization and transformation programs. The role directly supervises the North America and APAC payroll operations and global employment tax teams, but only has strategic oversite and governance of the EMEA and LATAM regions. The role requires the use of analytical and process improvement skills to support the business in finding and capitalizing on opportunities to transform and help to drive the effective and efficient performance of the global payroll processes.

• Serve as the custodian and subject matter expert for the global payroll processes.
• Lead the transformation of an existing decentralized local payroll model into a centralized global/regional payroll model.
• Manage the execution of a strategy for the global payroll processes, associated governance, policies, procedures, internal controls, and technologies.
• Deliver and maintain a payroll transformation roadmap supporting the payroll strategy and transformation activities.
• Execute deployment and adoption of a global/regional payroll model, related systems and processes with local customization as needed, to aid in the quality, efficiency, and delivery of standardized processes.
• Establish and monitor key service level agreements (SLAs) and metrics in partnership with payroll vendors, regional controllers, human resources, and payroll shared service teams.
• Work closely with Internal Controls Manager to ensure adherence of payroll processes to internal controls that are appropriate for a U.S. publicly traded company.
• Stay abreast of current payroll and leading practices occurring in the payroll industry to inform strategic direction and process enhancement.
• Collaborate with and other key functions/stakeholders, upstream and downstream, on all transformation initiatives to align and leverage cross-process opportunities with a focus on enhancing effectiveness and efficiency.
• Demonstrate strong business acumen and excellent financial judgement in supporting the business by developing prioritization of payroll projects, transformation, and improvement opportunities.

Knowledge, Skills, Ability Requirements

• A bachelor`s degree and a payroll qualification preferred (e.g. Certified Payroll Accountant or equivalent)
• Minimum of 15+ years progressive payroll experience operating within a multinational organization (North America, EMEA and APAC)
• Experience with payroll operations leadership and/or payroll process and implementation is required.
• Experience with setting up or implementing a global/regional payroll aggregator and managing a payroll shared service center/s will be an asset.
• Strong functional knowledge of core end to end global payroll processes and procedures is required.
• Expert knowledge of US payroll required coupled with Canada, APAC, EMEA and LATAM payroll knowledge is preferred.
• Workday (HRIS) payroll product suite (or other well-known payroll platform) advanced knowledge will be an asset.
• Ability to manage the complexities of a global payroll function and lead by influence, build, and foster relationships with payroll teams, human resources, payroll shared services, finance, and other key stakeholders.
• Possess strong leadership, program, and change management skills to support payroll transformation including global/regional consolidation and standardization.
• Motivated to stretch goals, forward thinking, challenge the status quo, and a desire to look for continuous improvement is preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to translate complex information in a succinct, clear manner to all levels of the organization is required.
• Strong organization skills and attention to detail, with the ability to work under pressure and adhere to project deadlines
• Ability to take initiative, work independently and have mature judgment.
• Ability to be flexible with your work schedule as this position requires working with global teams in North America, EMEA and APAC time zones.
• Experience with six sigma/lean/process excellence tools, training and/or certification will be an asset.
• Ability to assess and articulate business requirements, analyze design options, coordinate testing and drive implementation.
• Experience with integration of new/acquired companies into acquirer payroll processes will be an asset.