# Sr. Payroll Manager

**Company:** [Anthropic](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/anthropic)
**Location:** San Francisco, CA, Seattle, WA
**Role:** Finance & Accounting
**Salary:** $190k – $230k/yr
**Experience:** 8+ years
**Skills:** Workday, Workday Payroll, Equity Compensation, Rsus, Isos, Nsos, AI Tools, Payroll Processing, Multi-State Payroll, Cra Compliance
**Posted:** 2026-03-26

> Own end-to-end US and Canada payroll operations using Workday, manage 1-2 direct reports, ensure compliance, and drive AI-powered process improvements. Requires 8+ years payroll experience including 3+ in senior roles, CPP certification, and equity compensation expertise.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities

### US Payroll Operations
- Own full-cycle payroll processing for all US entities — multi-state, multi-frequency, exempt and non-exempt populations
- Process complex equity compensation including RSUs, ISOs, and NSOs, ensuring accurate tax withholding and timely reporting
- Manage high-volume payments: bonuses, commissions, severance, and equity events
- Oversee quarter-end, W-2 preparation, year-end reconciliations, and resolution of federal and state tax notices
- Maintain and continuously improve **Workday** payroll configuration — identify automation opportunities and lead optimization initiatives

### Canada Payroll Management
- Oversee Canada payroll operations in partnership with our PwC Global Payroll Platform, developing expertise in CRA compliance, T4s, Records of Employment, and multi-province processing
- Partner with our international payroll team to ensure Canada stays integrated into our global compliance posture
- Build out Canada payroll SOPs as the function matures

### Team Leadership & Development
- Manage and develop 1–2 direct reports on the US payroll team — set clear expectations, provide regular feedback, and invest in their growth
- Build a team culture of accuracy, accountability, and continuous improvement
- Serve as the escalation point for complex payroll issues and employee inquiries

### Cross-Functional Partnership & Compliance
- Partner with Corporate Accounting on payroll journal entries, accruals, and month-end close
- Work closely with Tax, Benefits, People Systems, and Employment Legal to ensure data integrity and compliance
- Support audit readiness and internal & systems controls

### AI Adoption & Process Improvement
- Champion the use of **AI tools** within the payroll function — identify high-value use cases for reconciliation, anomaly detection, and reporting
- Lead or support process improvement projects that reduce manual effort, increase accuracy, and improve the employee payroll experience
- Document processes, build SOPs, and contribute to the team's knowledge infrastructure

## Requirements
- 8+ years of payroll experience, with at least 3 years in a senior or manager-level role owning US multi-state payroll end-to-end
- Hold a **CPP (Certified Payroll Professional)** certification
- Direct people management experience — you've managed at least one FTE directly, not just contractors or mentorship relationships
- Strong **Workday** experience — payroll module preferred; HCM with direct payroll involvement and a clear path to Workday Payroll ownership is considered
- Deep familiarity with equity compensation processing (**RSUs**, **ISOs**, **NSOs**) and the tax implications at both federal and state levels
- Demonstrated ability to thrive in fast-moving, ambiguous environments — you build structure where none exists and don't wait for someone to hand you a playbook
- Strong cross-functional instincts — you know how to build trust quickly, influence without authority, and communicate clearly across Finance, HR, Legal, and beyond

## Nice-to-Haves
- Canada payroll experience — even introductory exposure is valued; willingness to learn and grow into the function matters more than deep expertise on day one
- Experimented with **AI** or automation tools to improve payroll workflows (reconciliation, error detection, reporting)
- Been part of a **Workday** payroll implementation or major system migration
- Worked at a company that scaled rapidly — from 500 to 2,000+ employees — and built payroll infrastructure to match
- Experience in or exposure to IPO readiness, **SOX** compliance, or building financial controls from scratch

## Compensation
**Annual Salary: $190,000—$230,000 USD**

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