Senior Payroll Manager, North America - Hybrid (Nashville, TN)

Senior Payroll Manager

Hybrid – Nashville, TN (Relocation Available)

Our client an industry-leading organization is seeking a strategic and hands-on Senior Payroll Manager to lead North American payroll operations and shape the future of payroll strategy, compliance, and technology.

This role will oversee payroll delivery for a large, complex, multi-entity environment — ensuring accuracy, compliance, and continuous improvement across all payroll functions. The ideal candidate will combine deep payroll expertise with strong leadership and transformation skills, particularly within Workday Payroll or similar enterprise systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the strategy, integrity, and delivery of all North American payroll operations, ensuring full compliance with federal, state, and local tax regulations.
• Drive innovation by optimizing Workday Payroll and implementing automation (AI/RPA) to improve efficiency and accuracy.
• Develop and maintain payroll processes, internal controls, and SOX compliance documentation.
• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing payroll team, fostering a culture of accountability and excellence.
• Partner with HR, Benefits, Finance, and Accounting teams to align strategy, reconcile data, and improve interdepartmental workflows.
• Oversee payroll reporting, reconciliations, accruals, and journal entries for all payroll-related accounts.
• Serve as the key payroll systems leader, collaborating with HRIS to enhance system functionality and scalability.
• Establish and track KPIs to evaluate process performance and compliance adherence.
• Anticipate risks, regulatory changes, and growth-related challenges — providing proactive recommendations to senior leadership.
• Lead payroll integration and change management initiatives related to M&A activity, system upgrades, and reorganizations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• 8+ years of progressive payroll experience in a large, complex, multi-entity organization.
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing payroll teams.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)
• Strong expertise in Workday Payroll preferred; ADP, SAP, or Oracle experience also considered.
• Demonstrated success managing payroll across multiple jurisdictions (U.S. and Canada preferred).
• Strong technical aptitude, analytical skills, and ability to communicate effectively with executive leadership.

Additional Details

Hybrid role based in Nashville, TN — relocation assistance available.

After initial onboarding (first month onsite), flexibility to expand regionally or nationally.

Compensation includes: Base salary ($125K–$130K), 15% annual bonus, and $10K in RSUs.

Comprehensive benefits package, including health, retirement, and paid time off.

Ascendo is a certified minority owned staffing firm, and we welcome and celebrate diversity.

Ascendo is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, parental status, military service or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.