Global Payroll Director

I. Job Summary

The Director of Payroll is a finance leader responsible for the governance, accuracy, and strategic execution of payroll operations supporting 60,000+ employees across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. This workforce is predominantly hourly, with a meaningful union-represented population, requiring expertise in complex pay rules and multi-jurisdictional compliance. Operating within a Finance-led Shared Services model, this role ensures payroll integrity through strong internal controls, regulatory discipline, and continuous process optimization. At the same time, the Director serves as a strategic business partner, balancing compliance requirements with operational realities and delivering solutions that support the business while protecting the enterprise. This leader must combine disciplined financial governance, advanced technical expertise, and the ability to navigate complex business realities.

II. Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Define and execute a forward-looking global payroll strategy aligned to organizational growth, workforce expansion, and enterprise transformation initiatives.
• Serve as the executive payroll authority for Finance, HR, Tax, Legal, and Internal Audit, providing risk assessments and strategic guidance.
• Design and maintain a robust payroll governance framework, including controls, segregation of duties, audit readiness, and regulatory compliance oversight.
• Anticipate and assess the payroll impact of acquisitions, divestitures, new market entries, regulatory changes, and organizational redesign.
• Lead payroll transformation initiatives including operating model redesign, system implementations, automation strategies, and vendor optimization.

Business Capabilities

• Lead end-to-end payroll operations for 60,000+ employees across the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
• Maintain accountability for payroll tax compliance and vendor governance through ADP SmartCompliance.
• Drive process standardization and operational efficiency within the Shared Services framework.
• Implement scalable solutions to reduce manual intervention and improve payroll accuracy.
• Utilize data and analytics to improve transparency, performance measurement, and service delivery.
• Lead payroll integration strategy for acquisitions, ensuring seamless transition of employees into the enterprise payroll framework while maintaining compliance and operational continuity.
• Provide oversight and risk management for complex payroll transactions, including executive compensation programs, equity and other sensitive pay activities.
• Cultivate an engaged, performance-driven team environment that balances operational excellence, compliance discipline, and strong cross-functional partnership.
• Lead through change and transformation while maintaining operational stability.
• Identify regulatory and operational risks across jurisdictions and proactively implement mitigation strategies
• Ensure alignment between Payroll, Finance, and Human Resources to support accurate reporting, compliance, and a transparent pay experience.
• Establish and enforce a strong internal control framework aligned with Finance standards.

Technical Capabilities

• Provide executive ownership of global payroll system and integrations, including Oracle HCM and third-party payroll platforms.
• Partner with HR to ensure payroll system configuration, data integrity, security, and scalability.
• Lead system enhancements, automation initiatives, and technology modernization efforts.
• Leverage payroll data and analytics to identify trends, risks, and opportunities to improve operational performance and employee experience.

III. Qualifications

A. Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, or related field
• 10+ years of progressive experience leading payroll and payroll tax functions
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)

B. Technical and Professional Skills

• Deep knowledge of global payroll operations, controls, and compliance principles.
• Strong understanding of payroll tax, accounting, and financial reporting impacts.
• Advanced experience with Oracle HCM and ADP Smart Compliance.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to translate complex payroll concepts into executive-level insights.

IV. Physical Requirements

Listed below are key points regarding physical demands, physical and occupational risks, and the work environment of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Frequently

• Repetitive Motions
• Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination

Constantly

• Sitting
• Talking
• Hearing

Office: This job primarily operates in a professional office environment and routinely requires the use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, copy machines, etc.

V. Benefits

At WM, each eligible employee receives a competitive total compensation package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance and Short Term Disability. As well as a Stock Purchase Plan, Company match on 401K, and more! Our employees also receive Paid Vacation, Holidays, and Personal Days. Please note that benefits may vary by site.

If this sounds like the opportunity that you have been looking for, please click Apply.

ABOUT WM
WM ( WM.com ) is North America's leading provider of comprehensive environmental solutions. Previously known as Waste Management and based in Houston, Texas, WM is driven by commitments to put people first and achieve success with integrity. The company, through its subsidiaries, provides collection, recycling and disposal services to millions of residential, commercial, industrial, medical and municipal customers throughout the U.S. and Canada. With innovative infrastructure and capabilities in recycling, organics and renewable energy, WM provides environmental solutions to and collaborates with its customers in helping them pursue their sustainability goals. WM has the largest disposal network and collection fleet in North America, is the largest recycler of post‑consumer materials and is a leader in beneficial use of landfill gas, with a growing network of renewable natural gas plants and the most landfill gas‑to‑electricity plants in North America. WM’s fleet includes more than 12,000 natural gas trucks – the largest heavy‑duty natural gas truck fleet in the industry in North America. Healthcare Solutions provides collection and disposal services of regulated medical waste, as well as secure information destruction services, in the U.S., Canada and Western Europe. To learn more about WM and the company’s sustainability progress and solutions, visit Sustainability.WM.com .

Equal Employment Opportunity

For United States: WM is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

For Canada: WM is committed to the principle of equal employment for all applicants and employees, without discrimination on the basis of all grounds protected by applicable human rights legislation. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Please notify us if you require accommodation.

Real ID

In order to travel by air or access federal property, federal law requires individuals have a REAL ID or an acceptable alternative. This position may require the successful candidate to travel by air for business reasons or service federal property. Accordingly, successful candidates must have, or be willing to obtain, a REAL ID or TSA‑approved alternative.