Payroll Director

ICON plc is a world-leading healthcare intelligence and clinical research organization. We’re proud to foster an inclusive environment driving innovation and excellence, and we welcome you to join us on our mission to shape the future of clinical development

We are currently seeking a Director, Payroll to join our diverse and dynamic team. As a Director, Payroll at ICON, you will play a pivotal role in leading the global payroll function, ensuring accurate, timely and compliant payroll processing for 40,000 employees across 60+ countries. Reporting to the Senior VP of Finance, this role is fundamental to the organisations success and demands a strategic mindset combined with a drive for operational excellence. You will be responsible for strategic leadership, payroll vendor management, compliance with local tax and labour regulations, and process improvement initiatives. Your expertise will contribute to the smooth functioning of our organisation and support our mission of advancing Innovative healthcare solutions.

What you will be doing

• Overseeing all aspects of payroll processing for a global organisation.
• Design and execute a global payroll strategy aligning with company objectives.
• Managing payroll team members and fostering a collaborative environment ensuring adherence to payroll deadlines and accuracy.
• Implementing and improving standardised payroll policies, procedures, and systems across all regions.
• Ensuring compliance with local, state, and international payroll regulations.
• Continuously review and improve payroll processes to streamline operations, drive automation's, and reduce manual interventions.
• Manage relationships with third-party payroll vendors and oversee vendor performance, contracts, and service level agreements.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, Legal, and regional teams on payroll initiatives and policies.
• Provide regular reporting on global payroll metrics, headcount costs, and achievements to Senior Leadership.
• Support finance teams in budgeting and forecasting payroll expenses.

Your profile

• Bachelor's degree in finance, business administration, human resources, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Extensive experience (8+ years) in payroll management, preferably in a global organisation.
• Strong understanding of payroll regulations and compliance requirements across multiple jurisdictions.
• Proficiency in payroll software and systems, with a focus on process optimisation and efficiency.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills with the ability to interact effectively at all levels.
• High attention to detail with a commitment to accuracy and confidentiality.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management abilities.

What ICON can offer you:

Visit our careers site to read more about the benefits ICON offers.

At ICON, inclusion & belonging are fundamental to our culture and values.   We’re dedicated to providing an inclusive and accessible environment for all candidates. ICON is committed to providing a workplace free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

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