Global Payroll Manager

Location: San Jose, CA or Remote (PST preferred)
Annual Salary: USD 145,000 - USD 185,000
Type: Full-Time
Reporting to: Director, Finance and Operations 

The Role

We are seeking a Global Payroll Manager to join the growing Finance team at Nex. This is a high-impact, hands-on role for a payroll professional who thrives in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. You will build and own the global payroll function—establishing best-in-class processes, ensuring compliance across multiple jurisdictions, and serving as the company’s internal payroll authority as we expand domestically and internationally.

In this role, you will rationalize and optimize payroll workflows, manage relationships with international payroll providers, and ensure accurate reconciliation of payroll-related balance sheet accounts. You will partner closely with Finance, HR, Legal, and the broader business to ensure payroll operations keep pace with company growth.

What You’ll Do

• Build best-in-class global payroll processes— assess current state workflows, identify gaps, and implement scalable, efficient processes for payroll execution across all applicable jurisdictions domestically and internationally.
• Manage international payroll providers— onboard and oversee third-party payroll vendors across multiple countries, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and service quality. Serve as the primary point of contact for all payroll provider relationships.
• Reconcile payroll-related balance sheet accounts— own the end-to-end reconciliation of payroll-related balance sheet accounts including accrued compensation, payroll liabilities, and related accounts, ensuring accuracy and alignment with the general ledger.
• Ensure global payroll compliance— maintain up-to-date knowledge of payroll regulations across applicable jurisdictions; manage registrations, filings, and remittances in accordance with local requirements.
• Drive payroll automation and technology— evaluate and implement payroll technology solutions to reduce manual effort, improve data accuracy, and streamline reporting across geographies.
• Maintain a comprehensive payroll calendar— oversee all payroll cycles, tax filings, and statutory payments, ensuring timely and accurate execution across all regions.
• Support audits and compliance reviews— serve as primary contact for internal and external audits related to payroll; coordinate documentation and responses to resolve inquiries efficiently.
• Partner cross-functionally— collaborate with HR, Accounting, Legal, and FP&A to provide payroll guidance on new hires, equity events, benefit programs, and organizational changes.

What You Bring

• 6+ years of progressive payroll experience, with a mix of global payroll operations and industry experience preferred; CPP or equivalent certification a plus.
• Demonstrated experience managing international payroll providers across multiple countries, including vendor onboarding and ongoing performance management.
• Hands-on expertise reconciling payroll-related balance sheet accounts, including accrued compensation, payroll tax liabilities, and related GL accounts.
• Builder’s mentality—you are comfortable creating processes and know how to prioritize in an environment where not everything is yet defined.
• Experience with payroll technology platforms (e.g., ADP, Workday, Rippling, or equivalent) and a track record of leveraging automation to improve efficiency and accuracy.
• Understanding of multi-country payroll compliance, including statutory filings, tax withholding requirements, and local employment regulations.
• Exceptional attention to detail, strong written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to translate complex payroll concepts for non-payroll stakeholders.
• Experience at an early-stage or high-growth startup is a significant plus; consumer technology, e-commerce, or hardware industry background preferred.

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