Senior Manager, International Payroll

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 and vacation package. We’re also transforming business travel with a new corporate travel solution, KAYAK for Business.

As an employee of KAYAK, you will be part of a travel company that operates a portfolio of global metasearch brands including momondo, Cheapflights and HotelsCombined, among others. From start-up to industry leader, innovation is in our DNA and every employee has an opportunity to make their mark. Our focus is on building the best travel search engine to make it easier for everyone to experience the world.

As a Senior Manager, International Payroll at KAYAK, you will lead the payroll operations team to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing across multiple international jurisdictions. You will improve payroll systems, key integrations and processes, and partnering cross-functionally with Human Resources, Accounting, Benefits, Compensation, and Legal teams to deliver best-in-class and reliable payroll services that support our growing global workforce.

You will play a key role in leading payroll initiatives, managing compliance risk, and implementing scalable solutions to improve payroll efficiency and employee experience. This role is part of our finance team and reports to the Director, Global Payroll.

You will have prior experience leading a payroll team in a complex and dynamic environment and will be able to leverage prior US and other international payroll experience. To be successful in this role, you will need to be organized and deadline-driven, ensuring recurring assignments are handled on a timely basis while contributing to special cross-functional projects and addressing unusual developments. This position requires a highly motivated professional with a strong drive and skillset to proactively lead the team’s payroll operations and initiatives to build future-proof processes, support compliance, and partner with multiple stakeholders to assist with international payroll-related matters.

The ideal candidate is curious and agile, has a strong growth mindset, a sense of ownership and accountability, and an entrepreneurial spirit.

This position requires you to commute to our Berlin office 3 times a week.

What you’ll do:

• Lead end-to-end payroll processing for multiple entities in the UK, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Spain, Ireland, France, Lithuania, Australia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and Singapore; ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with local laws and regulations.
• Manage, develop and lead a successful payroll team, fostering professional growth, collaboration, and accountability. 
• Develop and implement payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls to reduce risk and improve operational efficiency.
• Analyze payroll data and prepare detailed reports and dashboards for senior leadership to inform strategic decisions. Partner with HR, Accounting, Benefits, Compensation and Legal teams on payroll-related matters including benefits integration, tax reporting, audits, and system upgrades.
• Oversee complex payroll projects, including system implementations, integrations, and process automation. 
• Drive integrations between payroll and HRIS/time/equity systems.
• Proactively identify areas of process improvement within payroll operations and implement solutions to automate and streamline processes to scale and drive efficiencies while maintaining strong quality controls.
• Ensure compliance with tax authorities and regulatory agencies; manage audits and resolve any discrepancies or issues.
• Stay abreast of legislative changes impacting payroll and proactively update policies and processes.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to optimize payroll operations and enhance employee satisfaction.

Who we’re looking for:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field; CPA or CPP certification preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive payroll experience, including 3+ years managing payroll teams in a complex, multi-state, or global environment.
• Deep knowledge of payroll regulations, payroll tax filings, compliance requirements, automated payroll processes, and best practices.
• Strong expertise with payroll systems (e.g., Workday, ADP, Cloudpay, Netsuite, or similar).
• Experience leading payroll system implementations is highly desirable.
• Proven leadership skills with experience coaching, developing, and managing teams.
• Exceptional project management abilities, capable of driving complex initiatives to completion on time and within budget.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret payroll data and communicate insights effectively.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build strong relationships with cross-functional partners and external vendors.
• Detail-oriented, highly organized, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience in a high-growth technology or e-commerce company environment.
• Continuous improvement mindset with experience using process improvement methodologies.

Benefits and Perks:

• 6 weeks of paid vacation + time off for your birthday
• Work from (almost) anywhere for up to 20 days per year
• Focus on mental health and well-being:
  • Company-paid therapy sessions through SpringHealth
  • Company-paid subscription to HeadSpace
  • Company-wide week off a year - the whole team fully recharges (and returns without a pile-up of work!)
• No meeting Fridays
• Paid parental leave
• Paid volunteer time
• Focus on your career growth:
  • Development Dollars
  • Leadership development
  • Access to thousand of on-demand e-learnings
• Travel Discounts
• Employee Resource Groups
• Free lunch 2 days per week
• Pension plan contributions
• Public transportation subsidies
• Bike leasing program
• Monthly social events, massages, Thursday happy hours, sports teams
• An awesome office in Friedrichshain, Berlin

Inclusion

At KAYAK, we want everyone to have the space to grow, share ideas and do great work. That’s why we’re focused on hiring the best talent from all walks of life and experiences, supporting them well and making sure no one feels like they have to fit a mold to belong here.

Need an accommodation for the interview, application or on the job? No problem - just give us a heads-up. We’ve got you.

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