Global Payroll Manager

Backblaze is the object storage leader in the open cloud movement, fueling customer success with cloud storage built purposefully to unlock budgets, unburden administrators, and unleash innovators. Together with our partners, we’re helping customers break free from the restrictive, overpriced legacy solutions that hold them back, and blaze forward with the full power of the open cloud in their hands.

Founded in 2007, we scaled the business with less than $3 million in outside funding until 2021, when we did a traditional IPO on the Nasdaq stock exchange. Today, Backblaze generates over $100m in revenue and is the leading specialized storage cloud - managing over three billion gigabytes of data storage for 500K+ customers in 175+ countries, including businesses, developers, IT professionals, and individuals.

But while there is a lot to celebrate in our past, there is almost as much opportunity ahead of us. We are seeking a Global Payroll Manager!

What You’ll Do: 

• Ensure accurate and timely payroll processing, including recurring assignments and special projects, with a focus on continuous improvement
• Manage and enhance the company’s sales commission tool software, including accurate setup, tracking, and processing of commission deduction codes
• Serve as the first point of contact for all payroll inquiries, escalations, and audit support
• Partner closely with equity administration to support accurate and timely processing of equity awards (RSUs, ISOs, NSOs) and ESPP, including withholding, taxation, and reporting
• Coordinate with internal teams to ensure proper taxation and deduction of equity transactions in payroll
• Maintain strong internal controls to support SOX-compliant payroll and equity-related processes
• Prepare and review payroll-related journal entries; support month-end and quarter-end close activities related to payroll, equity, ESPP, and commissions
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of employment tax and overtime rules, employee 401K, incentive/bonus programs, multi-state payroll, leave pay integration, and termination processing
• Ensure accurate processing and documentation of ESPP purchases and dispositions, including collaboration with the equity team and third-party administrators
• Identify and resolve issues with complex or non-standard payroll scenarios and equity-related payroll deductions
• Support testing and implementation of new systems and enhancements across payroll, commissions, and equity processing
• Collaborate cross-functionally with HR, Finance, Legal, and external vendors to support audits and special projects

The Right Fit: 

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field
• 5+ years of relevant payroll experience, preferably in a high-growth environment
• Strong experience with equity compensation processing, including RSUs, ESPP, and stock options
• Familiarity with payroll impacts of equity transactions, including taxation, deduction codes, and regulatory compliance
• Demonstrated experience managing and administering sales compensation plans and commission systems
• ADP Workforce Now expertise required
• Experience with Rippling’s HRIS system is a plus
• Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, complex formulas)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a process-oriented mindset
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• In-depth knowledge of federal, state, and local employment and payroll laws

At this point, we hope you're feeling excited about the job description you're reading. Even if you don't meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply. Learning, developing, and growing are key parts of our culture. We're eager to meet people who believe in our mission and can contribute to our team in various ways. We want people to feel comfortable expressing their true selves and to come, stay, and do their best work here.

At Backblaze, we value being fair and good to our customers, partners, and employees. That’s why diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core of our values. We are committed to fostering a workforce where all employees feel a sense of belonging regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, socio-economic status, ability, veteran status, and education. We believe that our dedication to cultivating a diverse workspace not only allows us to better serve our customers in over 175 countries, but further reinforces our commitment to doing the right thing. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To understand more about the data we collect and process as part of your application, please view our Backblaze Employee Privacy Notice.