We are the leading provider of professional services to the middle market globally, our purpose is to instill confidence in a world of change, empowering our clients and people to realize their full potential. Our exceptional people are the key to our unrivaled, culture and talent experience and our ability to be compelling to our clients. You’ll find an environment that inspires and empowers you to thrive both personally and professionally. There’s no one like you and that’s why there’s nowhere like RSM.
Global Director, Payroll Outsourcing
RSM’s Payroll Services practice helps middle-market clients design, run, and optimize payroll across multiple HCM platforms and geographies. As Global Director, Payroll Outsourcing, you will lead the strategy, delivery, and growth of our managed payroll outsourcing offering U.S. domestic, multi-country, and emergency/temporary engagements and shape how our team delivers in the era of AI-enabled work (Microsoft Copilot + Cowork).
This is a player-coach role: you will set the operating model, develop the team, and stay close enough to delivery to be credible with sophisticated clients and complex transitions.
Practice leadership — Define and execute the global payroll outsourcing strategy — service catalog, country coverage model, pricing architecture, and delivery technology (including Copilot + Cowork adoption).
Service Quality and Assurance — Own P&L for the managed payroll book: utilization, margin, realization, and revenue growth. Establish SLAs, KPIs, and continuous-improvement rhythms. Drive efficiencies to improve client experience and margin growth.
Client Relationship – Establish and maintain trust with clients and engage in continuous QBR and status activities focused on client satisfaction and growth opportunities.
Client leadership — Lead complex payroll transitions and transformations (ADP → Workday, Dayforce stand-ups, UKG Ready optimizations, multi-country consolidations). Serve as executive sponsor and escalation owner on flagship engagements.
Growth — Partner with sales and account leadership to qualify, scope, price, and win managed payroll opportunities; build alliances with HCM vendors and in-country payroll providers.
Team — Lead and grow a multi-disciplinary team of payroll managers, analysts, and SMEs; build a global delivery bench (onshore + nearshore/offshore) aligned to demand.
Delivery and Execution – Execute on tactical tasks as required to ensure successful client delivery.
14+ years of progressive payroll leadership, including 5+ years running global/multi-country payroll operations or outsourced delivery at scale.
Deep U.S. multi-state payroll expertise plus practical experience coordinating in-country Global payroll across multiple regions.
Demonstrated success leading large-scale payroll transformations across systems such as ADP, Workday Payroll, Dayforce, and/or UKG Ready/Pro.
Strong consulting orientation: comfortable scoping, pricing, and presenting to leadership audiences; experience leading complex escalations and turnarounds.
Bachelor’s degree or Associate's or equivalent working payroll experience.
CPP, FPC, or international payroll credential (e.g., GPMI) preferred.
Preferred:
Track record of owning a managed-services P&L or sizable client portfolio with measurable growth and margin outcomes.
Preferred: Big Four, large consulting, BPO, or HCM vendor delivery leadership background; hands-on familiarity applying AI assistants (Copilot, Cowork) to payroll operations; experience standing up nearshore/offshore payroll delivery centers.
At RSM, we offer a competitive benefits and compensation package for all our people. We offer flexibility in your schedule, empowering you to balance life’s demands, while also maintaining your ability to serve clients. Learn more about our total rewards at https://rsmus.com/careers/working-at-rsm/benefits.
All applicants will receive consideration for employment as RSM does not tolerate discrimination and/or harassment based on race; color; creed; sincerely held religious beliefs, practices or observances; sex (including pregnancy or disabilities related to nursing); gender; sexual orientation; HIV Status; national origin; ancestry; familial or marital status; age; physical or mental disability; citizenship; political affiliation; medical condition (including family and medical leave); domestic violence victim status; past, current or prospective service in the US uniformed service; US Military/Veteran status; pre-disposing genetic characteristics or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law.
Accommodation for applicants with disabilities is available upon request in connection with the recruitment process and/or employment/partnership. RSM is committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, interview, or otherwise participate in the recruiting process, please call us at 800-274-3978 or send us an email at careers@rsmus.com.
RSM does not intend to hire entry level candidates who will require sponsorship now OR in the future (i.e. F-1 visa holders). If you are a recent U.S. college / university graduate possessing 1-2 years of progressive and relevant work experience in a same or similar role to the one for which you are applying, excluding internships, you may be eligible for hire as an experienced associate.
RSM will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records. For those living in California or applying to a position in California, please click here for additional information.
At RSM, an employee’s pay at any point in their career is intended to reflect their experiences, performance, and skills for their current role. The salary range (or starting rate for interns and associates) for this role represents numerous factors considered in the hiring decisions including, but not limited to, education, skills, work experience, certifications, location, etc. As such, pay for the successful candidate(s) could fall anywhere within the stated range.
Compensation Range: $101,000 - $203,000
Individuals selected for this role will be eligible for a discretionary bonus based on firm and individual performance.
