KAYAK, part of Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG), is the world’s leading travel search engine. With billions of queries across our platforms, we help people find their perfect flight, stay, rental car, cruise, or vacation package. We’re also transforming the in-travel experience with our app and new accommodation software. For more information, visit www.KAYAK.com.

As an employee of KAYAK, you will be part of a global network that includes OpenTable and KAYAK's portfolio of metasearch brands including Swoodoo, checkfelix, momondo, Cheapflights, Mundi and HotelsCombined. Many employees are dedicated to one brand, but we all have the benefit of using each others strengths and insights. Together, we're able to help people experience the world through dining and travel.

In this role, you will:

Reporting to the SVP, Global Controller, the Director of Global Payroll is a pivotal leadership role, accountable for the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of global payroll operations across the Americas, EMEA, and APAC regions for KAYAK and OpenTable. You champion payroll business processes, ensure unwavering compliance, forge strong partnerships with stakeholders, and demonstrate the latest payroll technology to optimize efficiency and accuracy. Your exceptional leadership skills will guide a distributed team of eight payroll professionals, ensuring they consistently deliver outstanding results. 

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and Governance: Design, deploy, and govern the global payroll operating model, setting a vision, driving alignment and prioritization across regions, and establishing service standards and a robust key control environment.

Operational Excellence: Oversee the end-to-end execution of compliant global payroll operations, both in-house and outsourced, aligning with established People Services standards. Drive the development and reporting of global payroll critical metrics.

Distributed Team Development: Coach, develop and mentor a globally distributed team of payroll professionals. Build a culture of growth  and continuous professional development.

Stakeholder Management: Build and maintain collaborative relationships with internal partners (Corporate Stock Plan Services, Accounting, FP&A, Tax, People Services, Benefits, Risk and Internal Controls, etc.), external vendors, and global payroll teams. Serve as the primary global point of contact for the end-to-end payroll process.

Process Optimization and Continuous Improvement: Identify, recommend, and implement enhancements to payroll processes, systems, and analytical capabilities, streamlining operations for greater efficiency.

Compliance Expertise: Maintain in-depth knowledge of global regulations, benefits changes, and labor laws impacting payroll across the travel and hospitality sectors. Ensure local, state, federal, and international payroll tax jurisdictions are adhered to.

System Leadership and Change Management: Serve as subject-matter expert for payroll software (ADP), HRIS (Workday),  Payroll and time & attendance platforms (CloudPay). Lead system implementation initiatives, including demos, requirements gathering, and the RFP process. Translate systems and business needs into functional plans. 

Internal Controls: Develop, maintain, and rigorously assess internal controls for payroll processes and payroll software systems. Ensure adherence to SOX narratives, controls, and SOC-1 audit objectives.

Please apply if: 

  • Minimum 10+ years of progressive payroll management experience in a public, global  corporation.

  • Proven experience managing a large, multi-country payroll provider.

  • At least 5+ years of management experience, leading and developing impactful teams.

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Business, Accounting, Finance, or a related field.

  • Demonstrated expertise with payroll platforms, ideally including ADP, CloudPay and Workday HCM.

  • Experience navigating payroll complexities within fast-paced, consumer-oriented tech environments.

  • A strong collaborative approach and proven ability to build effective cross-functional relationships.

  • Excellent communication and organizational skills, with the ability to present findings to management in a clear and concise manner.

Benefits

  • 4 weeks paid vacation
  • Ability to work from almost anywhere
  • Day off on your birthday
  • Generous retirement plans
  • Fantastic health, dental and vision insurance plans
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Headspace Subscription
  • No Meeting Fridays
  • Drinks, coffee, snacks, games etc.
  • Weekly catered lunches
  • Flexible hours
  • Regular team events/excursions
  • Universal Paid Parental leave

Note for Connecticut Residents: To receive estimated salary range information for this role pursuant to Connecticut's "An Act Concerning the Disclosure of Salary Range for a Vacant Position", email CTCareers@kayak.com. You must include the name of the position in your request.

Equity Eligible

There are a variety of factors that go into determining a salary range, including but not limited to external market benchmark data, geographic location, and years of experience sought/required. The range for this remote United States based role is $180,000-$220,000.

In addition to a competitive base salary, roles are eligible for additional compensation and benefits including: annual cash bonus, equity grant; health benefits; flexible spending account; retirement benefits; life insurance; paid time off (including PTO, paid sick leave, medical leave, bereavement leave, floating holidays and paid holidays); and parental leave and benefits.

Diversity and Inclusion

We aspire to have a workplace that reflects all of the diverse communities we serve. We know that when we have diverse teams we produce more creative ideas, products, and better outcomes for our team members. OpenTable/KAYAK is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we welcome and encourage candidates from all backgrounds and experiences to apply for roles on our team. Whoever you are, just be you.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform job responsibilities, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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