Executive Director, Head of North America Payroll Operations

About the role

Morgan Stanley is a leading global financial services firm providing investment banking, securities, wealth management, and investment management services. With offices in more than 40 countries, the Firm serves corporations, governments, institutions, and individuals worldwide. Our people are at the core of our success. We are committed to excellence, integrity, collaboration, and innovation, and we offer a culture that supports professional growth, diverse perspectives, and meaningful career development. Role Profile Morgan Stanley is seeking an accomplished and strategic leader to serve as Head of North America Payroll Operations. This Executive Director will lead payroll operations across the U.S. and Canada, with accountability for delivering accurate, compliant, scalable, and employee-centric payroll services in a complex, highly regulated environment. This role requires a senior leader with deep expertise in payroll operations, governance, risk management, systems, and transformation. The successful candidate will bring a strong track record of leading large-scale payroll functions, driving operational excellence, and advancing strategic priorities that improve service delivery, strengthen controls, and enhancing the employee experience. The Executive Director will oversee core payroll operations, workforce time systems, reporting, and key operational processes, while also shaping the strategic direction of payroll across the region. This leader will serve as a critical partner to HR, HR Technology, Finance, vendors, and business stakeholders, and will play a central role in modernizing payroll capabilities through process optimization, automation, data insights, and emerging technologies, including AI. Success in this role will require executive presence, strong judgment, and the ability to lead through complexity, change, and scale. The role reports directly to the Global Payroll Managing Director and leads a team across multiple locations, including Alpharetta, Georgia and Columbus, Ohio. What you'll do in the role: Provide strategic and operational leadership for North America Payroll Operations, including payroll processing, eTime/Workforce Manager, and Systems & Reporting. Lead the execution of a robust payroll operating model that delivers accuracy, compliance, efficiency, and a strong employee experience across the U.S. and Canada. Represent North America Payroll within the Global Payroll Committee and contribute to enterprise-wide strategy, operating model evolution, process standardization, technology direction, vendor oversight, and risk and control practices. Drive transformation initiatives that enhance payroll processes, strengthen controls, improve service delivery, and increase scalability through automation and digital solutions. Establish and oversee key performance indicators, service metrics, and risk indicators to monitor operational health, team effectiveness, and compliance outcomes. Leverage data, analytics, and emerging technologies to generate insights, improve decision-making, and support a modern, efficient payroll function. Ensure strong governance and execution across key payroll activities, including new hire, termination, leave processing, garnishments, support orders, and issue resolution. Lead cross-functional collaboration with HR, HR Technology, Finance, Legal, Compliance, and external vendors to address operational priorities and deliver business-aligned solutions. Provide leadership for escalated payroll matters and ensure timely resolution of complex issues with appropriate stakeholder engagement. Develop and mentor a high-performing team, fostering accountability, capability building, and succession strength across the function. Prepare and deliver executive-level reporting, analysis, and recommendations to HR leadership and other senior stakeholders. Oversee strategic initiatives from design through execution, ensuring disciplined delivery and measurable business impact. What you'll bring to the role: 10+ years of experience in North America payroll operations or a related HR operations environment. Significant leadership experience managing payroll operations in a complex, fast-paced organization. Deep expertise in U.S. and Canada payroll operations, including regulatory requirements, controls, and operational risk management. Proven success leading large-scale teams and driving performance across multiple locations. Demonstrated experience leading transformation initiatives, including process redesign, automation, systems enhancement, and service model improvement. Strong working knowledge of Workday, ADP GlobalView, and ADP eTime / Workforce Manager. Strong strategic, analytical, and operational leadership capabilities. Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and stakeholder management skills. Demonstrated ability to lead through change, manage competing priorities, and operate effectively in a dynamic environment. High degree of judgment, discreti