Senior Manager, Payroll

About Coursera

Coursera was founded in 2012 by Stanford professors Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller to make world-class learning accessible to everyone, everywhere. Today, over 190 million learners and 375+ university and industry partners use our platform to gain skills in fields like AI, data science, technology, and business. As a Delaware public benefit corporation and Certified B Corp, we’re driven by the belief that learning can transform lives through learning.

Why Join Us

At Coursera, we’re looking for inventors, innovators, and lifelong learners ready to shape the future of education. You’ll help build global programs and tools that power online learning for millions turning bold ideas into real impact. People who thrive here are customer-first builders who move fast, simplify ruthlessly, and iterate relentlessly on the metrics that matter. 

We’re a globally distributed team and let you choose the best way you work, whether it's from home, a Coursera hub, or a co-working space near you. Our virtual hiring and onboarding make it easy to join us and start making an impact from anywhere. If you’re ready to make a global impact, scale unique products exclusive to Coursera, and expand your career horizons, apply below.

Job Overview

Financial management is crucial to the performance and success of any company. The roles and responsibilities of the Coursera Finance team include accounting, financial reporting, analysis, planning, budgeting, and compliance. Problem solvers at heart, this team works to fuel Coursera’s growth by developing creative solutions in response to accounting and finance challenges.

We are looking for a highly experienced Senior Manager, Payroll, to lead and manage our global payroll strategy at Coursera. This individual will be responsible for ensuring payroll compliance, accuracy, and efficiency, while serving as a key partner to our internal Finance, People Operations, and Legal teams. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in global payroll management, a strong understanding of payroll regulations, and the ability to provide strategic direction for the payroll function. Analytical and methodical, this leader will have a proven background in payroll administration and regulatory compliance, with a specific focus on the Americas region. If you are passionate about payroll accuracy, care deeply about the employee experience, and thrive in building strong cross-functional partnerships, this role could be a great next step in your payroll career.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Payroll Subject Matter Expert (SME), providing strategic oversight and governance of global payroll policies, processes, and controls, with deep expertise in payroll requirements across the Americas and working knowledge to support APAC and EMEA payroll processing.
• Oversee end-to-end payroll operations for the U.S. and Canada, with responsibility expanding to LATAM as our footprint grows, ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely payroll delivery.
• Drive the implementation, standardization, and continuous optimization of global payroll processes and controls, partnering closely with APAC/EMEA payroll management and our outsourced vendor to ensure worldwide alignment.
• Own the review and approval of payroll journal entries, account reconciliations, and monthly payroll variance analysis as part of the month-end and quarter-end close. Collaborate with APAC/EMEA payroll management to adopt and implement consistent operating procedures and with the compensation accounting team for related payroll accounting matters
• Manage external payroll vendor relationships and collaborate cross-functionally with People Operations, Stock Administration, and Finance to support effective payroll administration.
• Lead, mentor, and develop payroll team members, fostering high performance, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 8+ years of progressive payroll experience, including global payroll exposure and at least 3 years in a management role.
• Experience managing payroll in a publicly traded company, including equity transactions and compliance with SOX requirements.
• In-depth knowledge of payroll laws and best practices across North America and LATAM; exposure to EMEA and APAC payroll practices is a plus.
• Strong hands-on experience with Workday Payroll, ADP SmartCompliance, and/or EY Payroll Operate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification or equivalent international payroll certification.
• Proven expertise in payroll accounting, including journal entries, accruals, reconciliations, and general ledger impacts.
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills, with the ability to interact with employees at all levels and work cross-functionally.
• Advanced Excel skills, including experience with pivot tables and VLOOKUPs.
• Experience with NetSuite and Fidelity (or other ERP and stock administration platforms).
• Experience supporting payroll system implementations and integrations.

Keep Learning

If this opportunity interests you, you might like these courses on Coursera:

• Business and Financial Modeling Specialization
• Data Analysis & Presentation Skills
• Business Statistics and Analysis

Compensation

This role is available in the following US Pay Zones:

US Zone 3: $147,050 - $173,000

US Zone 4: $140,908  - $165,775

At Coursera, we offer competitive, zone-based pay aligned to your location, experience, and role level across four U.S. pay zones. Our total rewards package goes beyond salary, with comprehensive health and wellness benefits, bonus and RSU equity programs, and global perks designed to help you grow and thrive wherever you are.

US Pay Zones

US-Z1: Bay Area

US-Z2: NYC and Seattle Metro

US-Z3: CA, WA, NY, NJ, CO, CT, DC, GA, IL, MA, MD, OR, RI, TX, VA

US-Z4: AK, AZ, DE, FL, HI, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NV, NH, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, UT, VT, WI

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Coursera is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a welcoming and inclusive workplace. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics and provide reasonable accommodations upon request at accommodations@coursera.org. Learn more in our CCPA Applicant Notice and GDPR Recruitment Notice.