H-1B Visa Senior Payroll Specialist Jobs
Senior Payroll Specialist roles qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship under the specialty occupation standard, typically requiring a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field. Employers filing LCAs for payroll positions must meet DOL prevailing wage requirements, and cap-subject petitions enter the annual lottery each April.
Find H-1B Visa Senior Payroll Specialist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 456+ Senior Payroll Specialist jobs
See all 456+ Senior Payroll Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Senior Payroll Specialist roles.
Get Access To All JobsAbout NAES
At NAES, you’ll find engaging and challenging career opportunities across conventional power generation, renewable energy, energy storage, grid operations and complex industrial facilities. At every level of the company, our people share a common goal: to instill confidence in our clients through a steadfast commitment to safety, integrity, and the quality of our work.
NAES is the largest independent operator of power facilities in the industry, managing more than 400 facilities and over 60 GW of generation under contract across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the UK. Powered by a team of roughly 4,000 people, we now support the full life cycle of energy and industrial plants — from development and construction through operations, optimization, digital transformation, and decommissioning — giving our employees the opportunity to grow their careers while helping to modernize the critical infrastructure that keeps communities running.
Sr. Manager, Global Payroll & HRIS
Lead. Transform. Influence.
At NAES, we believe payroll is far more than processing transactions—it's one of the most visible expressions of trust between an employer and its employees. Every paycheck represents our commitment to our people.
We're looking for an exceptional leader who sees payroll and HR technology as strategic business functions, not administrative ones. This is an opportunity for someone who thrives building high-performing teams, modernizing systems, developing people, and creating world-class employee experiences across a global organization.
You'll lead an outstanding payroll and HRIS organization while partnering closely with Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, IT, Legal, and executive leadership to shape the future of how we operate. If you're energized by solving complex problems, inspiring teams, simplifying processes, and leading through influence, we'd like to meet you.
Position Summary
The Sr. Manager of Global Payroll & HRIS provides strategic leadership for all global payroll operations and HR technology. This executive leader is responsible for developing the long-term vision for payroll, ensuring exceptional operational execution, strengthening governance and compliance, and building scalable systems that support the organization's continued growth.
Success in this role requires more than technical expertise. We're seeking a leader with strong emotional intelligence, sound business judgment, and a passion for developing people. Someone who creates clarity during change, builds trust across functions, and inspires teams to continuously improve.
The Sr. Manager leads the end-to-end delivery of accurate, compliant, and timely payroll operations while driving modernization of payroll and HRIS platforms to improve the employee experience and organizational efficiency.
Strategic Leadership
- Develop and execute a forward-looking global payroll and HRIS strategy that supports organizational growth and scalability
- Build a culture focused on operational excellence, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement
- Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on payroll strategy, workforce technology, compliance, and organizational risk
- Lead transformational initiatives that simplify processes, improve efficiency, and enhance the employee experience
Build High-Performing Teams
- Recruit, develop, coach, and retain exceptional payroll and HRIS professionals
- Foster an environment built on trust, collaboration, accountability, and ownership
- Develop future leaders while encouraging innovation, curiosity, and professional growth
- Lead with humility, empathy, and emotional intelligence
Global Payroll Excellence
- Oversee accurate and timely payroll processing across multiple countries and jurisdictions
- Ensure compliance with international, federal, state, provincial, and local payroll, tax, wage, and employment regulations
- Own payroll governance, internal controls, audit readiness, JSOX compliance, and data privacy standards
- Continuously evaluate and improve payroll policies, controls, and operating procedures
HR Technology & Process Transformation
- Lead the strategic direction of payroll and HRIS platforms, including UKG Workforce and future technologies
- Identify opportunities to automate workflows, improve integrations, and leverage technology to eliminate manual processes
- Champion data integrity and reporting capabilities that support better business decisions
- Partner with IT to ensure scalable, secure, and resilient HR technology solutions
Financial Partnership
- Partner closely with Finance and Accounting to ensure accurate payroll accounting, reconciliations, accruals, executive compensation, and financial reporting
- Ensure payroll data supports audit requirements and organizational financial controls
- Identify opportunities to improve forecasting, reporting, and operational efficiency
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Build trusted relationships across HR, Finance, Accounting, Legal, Tax, Operations, and executive leadership
- Influence decisions through collaboration rather than authority
- Communicate complex issues clearly and confidently to executives and stakeholders
- Lead organizational change with transparency and confidence
Vendor & Service Delivery
- Establish strategic partnerships with global payroll providers and technology vendors
- Hold partners accountable through clearly defined service levels and performance expectations
- Continuously evaluate vendor performance, technology, and opportunities for improvement
What Success Looks Like
- Build an engaged, high-performing team that enjoys working together
- Create a culture where people are empowered to solve problems and improve processes
- Deliver an exceptional employee payroll experience built on accuracy, responsiveness, and trust
- Modernize payroll operations through technology and automation
- Strengthen governance while simplifying how work gets done
- Become a trusted business partner to executive leadership
- Leave the organization stronger than they found it
What We're Looking For
Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or related discipline
- Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) required
- 12+ years of progressive payroll leadership, including significant global payroll responsibility
- Proven experience leading large-scale payroll transformation and HRIS modernization initiatives
- Experience managing complex international payroll operations across multiple jurisdictions
- Demonstrated success building and leading high-performing teams
Leadership Competencies
We're looking for someone who brings both technical excellence and exceptional leadership
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
- High emotional intelligence and self-awareness
- Executive presence with humility and authenticity
- Strong business and financial acumen
- Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills
- Strategic thinking balanced with operational discipline
- Courage to make difficult decisions while leading with empathy
- Ability to inspire, coach, and develop others
- Intellectual curiosity and continuous learning
- A growth mindset with a passion for innovation
- Calm, thoughtful leadership during periods of change
Working Relationships
- Reports to Senior Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer
Compensation
The initial compensation will range from $152,200 to $175,100 depending on experience
Partners closely with
- Executive Leadership Team
- Human Resources
- Finance & Accounting
- Information Technology
- Legal & Compliance
- Global Operations
- External Payroll Partners
NAES Safe
Safety is a core value of NAES and as a condition of employment, all employees are expected to be mentally alert and work safely at all times. Additionally, employees are required to adhere to all safety warnings and posted safety signs whenever on company property. Furthermore, employees must follow all NAES safety rules and procedures. Effectiveness in carrying out this responsibility is part of the evaluation of each employee’s performance.
NAES is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. It is the practice of NAES to seek employees of the highest quality and to select individuals on the basis of merit and competence, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status or affiliation protected under USERRA, or any other basis of discrimination prohibited by applicable local, state and federal law.
Experience
- Preferred 12+ years of progressive payroll leadership, including significant global payroll responsibility.
- Proven experience leading large-scale payroll transformation and HRIS modernization initiatives.
- Experience managing complex international payroll operations across multiple jurisdictions.
- Demonstrated success building and leading high-performing teams.
Education
- Preferred Bachelor's or better in Accounting or related field
Licenses & Certifications
- Required Driver's License
- CPP Cert. Payroll Prof
Skills
- Preferred Communication
- Interpersonal Skills
- Management
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Multi-State Payroll Processing
- Payroll
- Payroll Analysis
- Payroll Taxes
- Ultimate Software
- Verbal and Written Communications
Behaviors
- Preferred Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well
- Enthusiastic: Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest
- Functional Expert: Considered a thought leader on a subject
- Innovative: Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking
- Leader: Inspires teammates to follow them
- Team Player: Works well as a member of a group
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
About NAES
At NAES, you’ll find engaging and challenging career opportunities across conventional power generation, renewable energy, energy storage, grid operations and complex industrial facilities. At every level of the company, our people share a common goal: to instill confidence in our clients through a steadfast commitment to safety, integrity, and the quality of our work.
NAES is the largest independent operator of power facilities in the industry, managing more than 400 facilities and over 60 GW of generation under contract across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the UK. Powered by a team of roughly 4,000 people, we now support the full life cycle of energy and industrial plants — from development and construction through operations, optimization, digital transformation, and decommissioning — giving our employees the opportunity to grow their careers while helping to modernize the critical infrastructure that keeps communities running.
Sr. Manager, Global Payroll & HRIS
Lead. Transform. Influence.
At NAES, we believe payroll is far more than processing transactions—it's one of the most visible expressions of trust between an employer and its employees. Every paycheck represents our commitment to our people.
We're looking for an exceptional leader who sees payroll and HR technology as strategic business functions, not administrative ones. This is an opportunity for someone who thrives building high-performing teams, modernizing systems, developing people, and creating world-class employee experiences across a global organization.
You'll lead an outstanding payroll and HRIS organization while partnering closely with Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, IT, Legal, and executive leadership to shape the future of how we operate. If you're energized by solving complex problems, inspiring teams, simplifying processes, and leading through influence, we'd like to meet you.
Position Summary
The Sr. Manager of Global Payroll & HRIS provides strategic leadership for all global payroll operations and HR technology. This executive leader is responsible for developing the long-term vision for payroll, ensuring exceptional operational execution, strengthening governance and compliance, and building scalable systems that support the organization's continued growth.
Success in this role requires more than technical expertise. We're seeking a leader with strong emotional intelligence, sound business judgment, and a passion for developing people. Someone who creates clarity during change, builds trust across functions, and inspires teams to continuously improve.
The Sr. Manager leads the end-to-end delivery of accurate, compliant, and timely payroll operations while driving modernization of payroll and HRIS platforms to improve the employee experience and organizational efficiency.
Strategic Leadership
- Develop and execute a forward-looking global payroll and HRIS strategy that supports organizational growth and scalability
- Build a culture focused on operational excellence, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement
- Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on payroll strategy, workforce technology, compliance, and organizational risk
- Lead transformational initiatives that simplify processes, improve efficiency, and enhance the employee experience
Build High-Performing Teams
- Recruit, develop, coach, and retain exceptional payroll and HRIS professionals
- Foster an environment built on trust, collaboration, accountability, and ownership
- Develop future leaders while encouraging innovation, curiosity, and professional growth
- Lead with humility, empathy, and emotional intelligence
Global Payroll Excellence
- Oversee accurate and timely payroll processing across multiple countries and jurisdictions
- Ensure compliance with international, federal, state, provincial, and local payroll, tax, wage, and employment regulations
- Own payroll governance, internal controls, audit readiness, JSOX compliance, and data privacy standards
- Continuously evaluate and improve payroll policies, controls, and operating procedures
HR Technology & Process Transformation
- Lead the strategic direction of payroll and HRIS platforms, including UKG Workforce and future technologies
- Identify opportunities to automate workflows, improve integrations, and leverage technology to eliminate manual processes
- Champion data integrity and reporting capabilities that support better business decisions
- Partner with IT to ensure scalable, secure, and resilient HR technology solutions
Financial Partnership
- Partner closely with Finance and Accounting to ensure accurate payroll accounting, reconciliations, accruals, executive compensation, and financial reporting
- Ensure payroll data supports audit requirements and organizational financial controls
- Identify opportunities to improve forecasting, reporting, and operational efficiency
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Build trusted relationships across HR, Finance, Accounting, Legal, Tax, Operations, and executive leadership
- Influence decisions through collaboration rather than authority
- Communicate complex issues clearly and confidently to executives and stakeholders
- Lead organizational change with transparency and confidence
Vendor & Service Delivery
- Establish strategic partnerships with global payroll providers and technology vendors
- Hold partners accountable through clearly defined service levels and performance expectations
- Continuously evaluate vendor performance, technology, and opportunities for improvement
What Success Looks Like
- Build an engaged, high-performing team that enjoys working together
- Create a culture where people are empowered to solve problems and improve processes
- Deliver an exceptional employee payroll experience built on accuracy, responsiveness, and trust
- Modernize payroll operations through technology and automation
- Strengthen governance while simplifying how work gets done
- Become a trusted business partner to executive leadership
- Leave the organization stronger than they found it
What We're Looking For
Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or related discipline
- Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) required
- 12+ years of progressive payroll leadership, including significant global payroll responsibility
- Proven experience leading large-scale payroll transformation and HRIS modernization initiatives
- Experience managing complex international payroll operations across multiple jurisdictions
- Demonstrated success building and leading high-performing teams
Leadership Competencies
We're looking for someone who brings both technical excellence and exceptional leadership
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
- High emotional intelligence and self-awareness
- Executive presence with humility and authenticity
- Strong business and financial acumen
- Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills
- Strategic thinking balanced with operational discipline
- Courage to make difficult decisions while leading with empathy
- Ability to inspire, coach, and develop others
- Intellectual curiosity and continuous learning
- A growth mindset with a passion for innovation
- Calm, thoughtful leadership during periods of change
Working Relationships
- Reports to Senior Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer
Compensation
The initial compensation will range from $152,200 to $175,100 depending on experience
Partners closely with
- Executive Leadership Team
- Human Resources
- Finance & Accounting
- Information Technology
- Legal & Compliance
- Global Operations
- External Payroll Partners
NAES Safe
Safety is a core value of NAES and as a condition of employment, all employees are expected to be mentally alert and work safely at all times. Additionally, employees are required to adhere to all safety warnings and posted safety signs whenever on company property. Furthermore, employees must follow all NAES safety rules and procedures. Effectiveness in carrying out this responsibility is part of the evaluation of each employee’s performance.
NAES is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. It is the practice of NAES to seek employees of the highest quality and to select individuals on the basis of merit and competence, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status or affiliation protected under USERRA, or any other basis of discrimination prohibited by applicable local, state and federal law.
Experience
- Preferred 12+ years of progressive payroll leadership, including significant global payroll responsibility.
- Proven experience leading large-scale payroll transformation and HRIS modernization initiatives.
- Experience managing complex international payroll operations across multiple jurisdictions.
- Demonstrated success building and leading high-performing teams.
Education
- Preferred Bachelor's or better in Accounting or related field
Licenses & Certifications
- Required Driver's License
- CPP Cert. Payroll Prof
Skills
- Preferred Communication
- Interpersonal Skills
- Management
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Multi-State Payroll Processing
- Payroll
- Payroll Analysis
- Payroll Taxes
- Ultimate Software
- Verbal and Written Communications
Behaviors
- Preferred Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well
- Enthusiastic: Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest
- Functional Expert: Considered a thought leader on a subject
- Innovative: Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking
- Leader: Inspires teammates to follow them
- Team Player: Works well as a member of a group
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
See all 456+ H-1B Visa Senior Payroll Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Senior Payroll Specialist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Senior Payroll Specialist
Verify your degree matches payroll requirements
USCIS scrutinizes specialty occupation claims for payroll roles. A degree in accounting, finance, human resources, or business administration directly supports the petition. A general studies degree without relevant coursework can trigger an RFE, so gather transcripts and credential evaluations before applying.
Target employers with active LCA filing histories
Search Migrate Mate to identify companies that have filed Labor Condition Applications for payroll and compensation roles. Employers with repeat LCA filings for your SOC code signal an established H-1B sponsorship process, not a one-off hire.
Check prevailing wage levels before negotiating offers
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the prevailing wage for payroll specialists in your target metro area. Your offered salary must meet at least the Level I wage for your experience tier, and knowing the thresholds lets you negotiate without jeopardizing the LCA certification.
Clarify payroll system expertise in your petition
H-1B petitions for payroll roles succeed when job duties are tied to specialized software and compliance functions, such as multi-state tax processing or HRIS configuration. Document your hands-on experience with enterprise payroll platforms in your support letter to strengthen the specialty occupation argument.
Understand the 60-day grace period when switching employers
If your current H-1B employer terminates your role, you have a 60-day grace period to find a new sponsor and have an H-1B transfer petition filed. The new employer can file the transfer petition, allowing you to start work upon receipt rather than waiting for approval.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting an offer
All H-1B employers must be E-Verify participants. Before signing an offer for a Senior Payroll Specialist role, confirm the company is enrolled, because an employer that isn't enrolled cannot legally employ H-1B workers and will face delays or invalidation of the petition.
H-1B Visa Senior Payroll Specialist: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Senior Payroll Specialist role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, provided the employer requires at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related field such as accounting, finance, or human resources management. If the job description accepts any bachelor's degree regardless of field, USCIS may issue an RFE challenging the specialty occupation classification. A tightly scoped job description tied to technical payroll compliance functions strengthens the petition significantly.
Which employers sponsor H-1B visas for payroll specialist roles?
Large enterprises with in-house payroll departments, payroll outsourcing firms, and major accounting or HR technology companies consistently file H-1B petitions for payroll positions. You can browse verified H-1B sponsors for this role on Migrate Mate, which filters employers by LCA filing history so you're only seeing companies with a documented track record of sponsorship.
How does the DOL prevailing wage requirement affect payroll specialist H-1B petitions?
Before filing your H-1B petition, your employer must obtain a certified LCA from the DOL confirming your offered wage meets the prevailing wage for the role in your work location. Prevailing wages vary by metro area and experience level. You can look up applicable wage levels using the OFLC Wage Search, filtering by the payroll and timekeeping clerks SOC code or the compensation and benefits managers category depending on your seniority.
Can a Senior Payroll Specialist H-1B petition be filed outside the annual lottery cap?
It depends on the employer. Universities, nonprofit research organizations, and certain government-affiliated entities are cap-exempt, meaning they can file H-1B petitions year-round without entering the April lottery. Most private payroll departments and corporate employers are cap-subject, so your petition must be selected in the lottery before USCIS can adjudicate it.
What happens to my H-1B status if my payroll employer is acquired or restructures?
A corporate acquisition or merger that results in a successor-in-interest employer can allow your H-1B status to continue without a new petition, provided the new entity assumes the liabilities of the original LCA and the job duties remain substantially the same. If the role changes materially or the successor entity is a different legal structure, your employer should file an amended H-1B petition to protect your status.