Why This Job is Featured on The SaaS Jobs
Global Payroll Manager roles are increasingly central in SaaS companies operating across multiple jurisdictions, where headcount growth, equity programs, and distributed hiring put pressure on payroll accuracy and governance. This position stands out for its scope across the U.S., Australia, Canada, and the UK, reflecting the operational reality of SaaS firms that scale internationally while maintaining consistent employee data and compliant pay practices.
From a SaaS career perspective, the work builds durable expertise at the intersection of People Operations, Finance, and Legal. Ownership of controls, audit readiness, and reconciliations maps closely to the discipline SaaS companies need as they mature, especially where SOX-style rigor, integrated HRIS and payroll stacks, and automation become standard. Experience with equity and incentive payroll also translates well across the sector, given how common these compensation structures are in software companies.
This role tends to suit a payroll leader who prefers end-to-end accountability and enjoys improving systems, not just running cycles. It fits someone comfortable partnering cross-functionally, working through ambiguity created by multi-country rules, and applying analytical judgment to exceptions and variance patterns.
The section above is editorial commentary from The SaaS Jobs, provided to help SaaS professionals understand the role in a broader industry context.
Job Description
Airtable is seeking a Global Payroll Manager to lead and optimize our end-to-end payroll operations across the U.S., Australia, Canada, and the UK. In this high-impact role, you’ll ensure payroll accuracy, compliance, and timely processing for our growing global team. You’ll have the opportunity to build scalable payroll processes, strengthen audit readiness, and partner cross-functionally to deliver a seamless employee experience—all while driving continuous improvement in a fast-paced, innovative environment.
What you'll do
- Manage end-to-end payroll processing for exempt and hourly employees across all global entities (U.S., Australia, Canada, UK)
- Ensure accurate, compliant, and timely payroll execution, including setup for new hires and processing of all employee changes (compensation, deductions, benefits, garnishments, tax elections)
- Maintain compliance with wage and hour regulations, payroll tax registration and filing requirements, and ensure complete payroll records in line with legal and tax obligations
- Drive payroll controls and documentation, serving as the payroll compliance owner (including SOX-ready controls where applicable)
- Perform pre- and post-payroll audits, reconciliations, and variance analysis to proactively identify and resolve discrepancies
- Own monthly, quarterly, and annual payroll reconciliations and reporting (W-2, amendments, 401(k) testing, payroll tax filings)
- Manage incentive and equity payroll processing (ISOs, NQSOs), ensuring accurate withholding, reporting, and tax submissions
- Liaise with auditors and coordinate payroll tax, benefits, and compliance audits, ensuring documentation readiness and timely issue resolution
- Partner with Accounting to support month-end close, including review of payroll journal entries, accruals, and reconciliation of payroll registers and bank deposits
- Collaborate with People, Finance, Legal, and external vendors to resolve payroll issues, improve efficiency, and maintain data integrity
- Continuously improve payroll operations by building scalable workflows, documenting processes, and strengthening internal controls
- Leverage AI or automation to streamline payroll processes, improve data accuracy, and reduce manual effort
Who you are
- Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent practical experience) with 7+ years of progressive payroll experience, including ownership of U.S. payroll in a high-growth technology company; global payroll (AU, UK, CA) exposure strongly preferred
- Deep knowledge of U.S. payroll, wage and hour compliance, and employment tax regulations, including federal and multi-state requirements
- Experience operating in complex multi-state and multi-country environments, including managing payroll through Employer of Record (EOR) partners and supporting expansion into new jurisdictions
- Working knowledge of payroll accounting principles
- Experience administering equity and incentive payroll (RSUs, ISOs, NQSOs) and related payroll tax reporting and withholding
- Hands-on experience with modern payroll, HRIS, and time tracking systems such as Workday (preferred) and ADP; ability to troubleshoot and improve workflows across integrated systems
- Demonstrated ability to operate with high ownership in a fast-paced environment—able to prioritize competing deliverables, manage deadlines, and drive issues to resolution
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to partner effectively across HR, Finance/Accounting, Legal, external vendors, and employees
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving capabilities, sound judgment, and exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
- Advanced Excel skills (e.g., data analysis, reconciliations, reporting)
- Experience using AI or automation to streamline payroll processes, improve data accuracy, and reduce manual effort
Airtable is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and strive to create a workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We welcome people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and perspectives. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any characteristic protected by applicable federal and state laws, regulations and ordinances. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant.
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If you have a medical condition, disability, or religious belief/practice which inhibits your ability to participate in any part of the application or interview process, please complete our Accommodations Request Formand let us know how we may assist you. Airtable is committed to participating in the interactive process and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants.
