Global Head of Payroll - Vice President / Senior Vice President

About the role

iCapital is seeking a Vice President or Senior Vice President to join the Corporate Finance team as a seasoned, strategic payroll executive. This role will be responsible for the end-to-end global payroll function, including payroll operations, payroll accounting and controls, vendor governance, and payroll-related risk management. This role owns the company's global payroll strategy and operating model and directly manages a team overseeing payroll services. This individual will ensure payroll is executed accurately, compliantly, and on time across all jurisdictions while enabling scalability, strong internal controls, and an excellent employee experience. Reporting into Corporate Finance leadership, this role partners closely with the Accounting, Tax, Treasury, Legal, and HR teams. A key area of responsibility is oversight of equity compensation as it flows through payroll, including taxable equity events, withholding and deposits, reconciliation, and reporting. This is a highly visible role with regular interaction with senior leadership and auditors, offering the opportunity to shape payroll as a strategic, enterprise-level function.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the global payroll strategy, operating model, and governance framework, balancing global consistency with local regulatory requirements.
• Lead and develop a high-performing global payroll team, fostering a culture of accountability, precision, and continuous improvement.
• Own payroll governance, internal controls, and risk management, ensuring audit readiness and compliance across all jurisdictions.
• Manage day-to-day and strategic relationships actively with payroll managed services partners, including SLAs, KPIs, escalations, and quarterly business reviews.
• Ensure accurate and timely processing of all pay elements, including salary changes, bonuses, commissions, equity-related payments, leaves, deductions, garnishments, severance, and one-time payments.
• Partner with the Accounting team on payroll accruals, balance sheet reconciliations, variance analysis, and financial reporting impacts.
• Partner with the Treasury team on payroll funding cycles, banking relationships, and liquidity planning tied to payroll and equity settlement activity.
• Oversee payroll aspects of equity compensation, including coordination with Stock Administration on RSU vesting, stock option exercises, and other taxable equity events.
• Ensure correct tax withholding, timely payroll tax deposits, and accurate reporting for equity compensation based on award type and settlement timing.
• Oversee U.S. (W‑2s, 1095s), Canadian, and other global year-end payroll reporting and filings, delivered accurately and on schedule.
• Manage payroll-related compliance activities, including multi-state registrations, employment tax requirements, audits, and government inquiries.
• Serve as the executive escalation point for complex payroll issues and employee inquiries, ensuring prompt resolution and clear communication.
• Drive payroll technology optimization, integration, and process improvements in partnership with HRIS, ERP, and Finance systems teams.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or a related field; advanced degree is preferred
• 10+ years of progressive payroll leadership experience, including ownership of multi-state U.S. payroll and exposure to global payroll operations
• Demonstrated experience leading payroll teams and operating within an outsourced or managed services payroll model
• Strong understanding of payroll accounting, internal controls, audit requirements, and SOX-aligned processes
• Proven experience managing the payroll implications of equity compensation (i.e. RSUs, stock options), including taxation, withholding, deposits, and reporting
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or similar designation is strongly preferred
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and payroll-related reporting and reconciliations
• Experience with major payroll platforms and HCM and ERP integrations; familiar with Namely HR or Ceridian Dayforce is a plus
• Exceptional attention to detail, sound judgment under pressure, and ability to meet firm payroll and close deadlines
• Executive presence with strong communication skills and the ability to partner effectively across finance, tax, legal, human resources, and technology teams
• Willingness to plan time off around payroll cycles, year-end processing, and critical business initiatives

Benefits

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