Senior Payroll Specialist

Job description

We’re currently hiring for a Senior Payroll Specialist based in Austin to join our global Payroll Team. We’re looking for a payroll superstar, with a keen eye for accuracy, attention to detail and a desire to share your payroll expertise and knowledge with our Global Payroll Team. Reporting to the Americas Payroll Lead, you’ll have above-average understanding of US Payroll and experience with international payrolls,, its overall function, and how our team provides excellent service to others.

You’ll be responsible for the accurate, effective, and timely processing of your multiple payrolls/ countries for each pay period. This exciting role will join a team responsible for the overall global payroll, including process, compliance, audit and reconciliation across multiple countries for Wise.

Key Responsibilities

Manage end-to-end payroll cycles: Execute daily, weekly, monthly, annual, and ad-hoc payroll tasks to ensure timely processing ahead of strict deadlines, with a primary focus on US payrolls.

Data integrity & submission

Take full ownership of compiling, double-checking, and submitting accurate payroll inputs to third-party providers, ensuring payroll outputs perfectly balance with source inputs.

Reporting & GL management

Generate and review critical payroll outputs, including pre- and post-payroll journals, General Ledger (GL) files, and custom ad-hoc reports.

Documentation

Maintain meticulous historical payroll files and comprehensive audit trails for all processed cycles.

Vendor management

Partner with third-party payroll vendors and tax advisors to maximize accuracy, minimize errors, and drive processing efficiencies.

Cross-functional support

Collaborate with the wider Payroll team and the Senior Payroll Lead to provide transaction support and cross-train across different regions to ensure team redundancy.

Query resolution

Manage first- and second-line payroll inquiries from employees, internal teams, and external providers, ensuring strict adherence to established Service Level Agreements (SLAs).

Regulatory compliance

Ensure absolute compliance across all allocated locations with international, federal, state, and local payroll tax laws.

Audit support

Lead internal audit preparations and directly respond to regulatory agency inquiries and notices.

Subject Matter Expertise

Maintain up-to-date knowledge of changing global payroll regulations and compliance standards, serving as a regional expert for the organization.

Continuous improvement

Drive efficiencies in current workflows and contribute to implementing new processes.

Strategic input

Contribute actionable insights toward team goals, KPIs, operational efficiencies, and the future scaling of the global payroll function.

Standard operating procedures

Develop and document robust, detailed processes to ensure consistent, high-quality payroll execution as Wise continues to grow.

Qualifications

3+ years of hands-on experience utilizing Workday Payroll, specifically for running payroll cycles, inputs, data validation, system troubleshooting, internal audits, and supporting implementations or upgrades. A minimum of 3+ years of direct, hands-on experience handling end-to-end in-house payroll (including inputs, validations, corrections, and reconciliations) within a high-growth, product-led, or technology company.

Proven experience processing complex U.S. multi-state payrolls, with a deep understanding of federal, state, and local tax regulations. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (including pivot tables, data validation, formulas, charts, and large data sets) along with a strong aptitude for mastering new payroll software quickly. Demonstrated capability to navigate ambiguity, thrive in fast-paced environments, and independently develop innovative solutions amid shifting priorities.

Nice to haves

Familiarity with international payroll processing outside the U.S., particularly in regions like Mexico, Brazil, Europe, or Canada. Prior experience within a fintech, SaaS, or international public tech environment (e.g., NASDAQ-listed companies). Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or equivalent payroll certification.

Education

A university degree in a relevant field such as Accounting, Business Administration, or Human Resources.