McKesson

Director Executive Payroll Operations

McKesson$124K — $207K *
Finance & Insurance
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in relevant field; equivalent experience may be accepted.
  • 10+ years of progressive payroll experience with leadership in complex environments.
  • Experience with executive and complex compensation programs.
  • Strong knowledge of payroll taxes, wage reporting, and internal controls.
  • Ability to handle confidential compensation matters with professionalism.
  • Expertise in cross-functional collaboration with senior stakeholders.
  • Preferred certifications include CPP or similar, with experience in public companies and SOX.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and ensure accurate, timely, and compliant executive payroll processing.
  • Manage operational execution of various executive compensation events.
  • Establish and uphold payroll controls and audit compliance for executive processes.
  • Assist payroll tax and accounting teams with reporting and reconciliations.
  • Collaborate with multiple departments to resolve payroll issues.
  • Serve as a trusted resource for sensitive payroll inquiries.
  • Initiate process improvements and automation in payroll operations.
  • Develop and mentor payroll team members while promoting accountability.

Benefits

  • Competitive total rewards package including potential bonuses and incentives.
  • Professional development opportunities and training programs.
  • Access to comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
  • Flexible work arrangements to enhance work-life balance.
  • Retirement savings plan with company match programs.
Full Job Description
Job Description Summary

The Director of Executive Payroll Operations is responsible for leading the end-to-end execution, governance, controls, and service delivery of payroll operations supporting executive compensation programs and senior leader pay activities. This role ensures executive payroll is processed accurately, timely, confidentially, and in compliance with federal, state, local, and applicable regulatory requirements. The Director partners closely with Executive Compensation, Total Rewards, Finance, Accounting, Tax, Legal, HR Operations, Stock Administration, Global Mobility, and external providers to support complex executive pay events, including incentive payouts, equity-related taxable events, deferred compensation, mobility-related payments, severance, special payments, and year-end reporting. This role also provides strategic and operational support to payroll tax and payroll accounting teams to ensure accurate tax treatment, wage reporting, reconciliations, accounting entries, audits, and year-end payroll activities.

Top Responsibilities
  • Lead executive payroll operations, ensuring accurate, timely, compliant, and confidential processing for executives and senior leaders.
  • Own operational execution for executive compensation events, including bonuses, incentive payouts, equity-related payroll transactions, deferred compensation, severance, relocation, mobility, and special payments.
  • Maintain strong payroll controls, reconciliations, documentation, approval workflows, audit evidence, and SOX compliance support for executive payroll processes.
  • Support payroll tax and payroll accounting teams through accurate wage reporting, tax validation, account reconciliations, general ledger support, audit documentation, and year-end reporting activities.
  • Partner cross-functionally with Executive Compensation, Total Rewards, Finance, Accounting, Tax, Payroll Tax, Payroll Accounting, Legal, HR Operations, Stock Administration, Global Mobility, and external advisors to resolve complex payroll matters.
  • Serve as an escalation point for sensitive executive payroll inquiries, ensuring a high-touch service experience, strong judgment, and appropriate discretion.
  • Drive process improvement, automation, reporting enhancements, data quality, and standardization across executive payroll operations.
  • Lead, coach, and develop payroll team members while fostering a culture of accountability, accuracy, confidentiality, continuous improvement, and service excellence.
Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
  • 10+ years of progressive payroll experience, including leadership experience in a large, complex, multi-state or highly controlled environment.
  • Experience supporting executive compensation, equity compensation, deferred compensation, incentive compensation, or other complex pay programs.
  • Strong knowledge of payroll tax, wage reporting, supplemental wages, payroll accounting, reconciliations, internal controls, and audit requirements.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage confidential and sensitive compensation matters with discretion, professionalism, and sound judgment.
  • Experience partnering with senior leaders and cross-functional stakeholders across Payroll, HR, Finance, Tax, Legal, Accounting, and Total Rewards.
  • Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), compensation certification, public company experience, Workday Payroll experience, or SOX/audit experience preferred.
Key Competencies
  • Executive payroll expertise and compensation operations acumen
  • Strong governance, control, reconciliation, and audit readiness mindset
  • Executive presence, stakeholder management, and clear communication
  • Confidentiality, discretion, professionalism, and sound judgment
  • Analytical thinking, issue resolution, and root cause problem-solving
  • Operational excellence, process improvement, and continuous improvement leadership
  • People leadership, coaching, accountability, and team development

We are proud to offer a competitive compensation package at McKesson as part of our Total Rewards. This is determined by several factors, including performance, experience and skills, equity, regular job market evaluations, and geographical markets. The pay range shown below is aligned with McKesson's pay philosophy, and pay will always be compliant with any applicable regulations. In addition to base pay, other compensation, such as an annual bonus or long-term incentive opportunities may be offered. For more information regarding benefits at McKesson, please 

Our Base Pay Range for this position

$124,400 - $207,400

McKesson has become aware of online recruiting-related scams in which individuals who are not affiliated with or authorized by McKesson are using McKesson’s (or affiliated entities, like CoverMyMeds or RxCrossroads) name in fraudulent emails, job postings or social media messages. In light of these scams, please bear the following in mind:

McKesson Talent Advisors will never solicit money or credit card information in connection with a McKesson job application.


McKesson Talent Advisors do not communicate with candidates via online chatrooms or using email accounts such as Gmail or Hotmail. Note that McKesson does rely on a virtual assistant (Gia) for certain recruiting-related communications with candidates.

McKesson job postings are posted on our career site: .

About McKesson

McKesson Corporation provides medicines, pharmaceutical supplies, information and care management products and services across the healthcare industry. The Company operates in two segments. The McKesson Distribution Solutions segment delivers ethical drugs, medical-surgical supplies and equipment and health and beauty care products throughout North America. This segment also provides specialty pharmaceutical solutions for biotech and pharmaceutical manufacturers, sells financial, operational and clinical solutions for pharmacies (retail, hospital, long-term care) and provides consulting, outsourcing and other services. The McKesson Technology Solutions segment delivers enterprise-wide clinical, patient care, financial, supply chain, strategic management and software solutions. In July 2011, the Company acquired Portico Systems from Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. On March 25, 2012, it acquired the independent banner and franchise businesses of Katz Group Canada Inc. McKesson Distribution Solutions delivers pharmaceuticals to retail pharmacies and institutional providers like hospitals and health systems. They operate pharmaceutical distribution centers across the country, serving customers in all 50 states. They also deliver a comprehensive offering of health care products, technology, equipment and related services to the alternate site market, including physician offices, surgery centers, long-term care facilities and home care businesses across the country. McKesson is currently the largest pharmaceutical distributor in North America. McKesson also operates McKesson Canada and has an equity holding in Nadro, a leading distributor in Mexico.

McKesson Careers

Join McKesson, a leading global healthcare company, and be part of a team that is redefining the future of healthcare. With a variety of job opportunities available, McKesson is the perfect place to advance your career, whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out. Work You’ll Do At McKesson, we are committed to improving care in every setting—one product, one partner, one patient at a time. We’re seeking talented professionals to join our team and contribute to a culture of innovation, diversity, and leadership. Our employees are driven by a deep sense of purpose and a desire for continuous growth and improvement. Empower Your Future in Healthcare With positions ranging from internships to leadership roles, McKesson offers unparalleled employment opportunities to develop your skills and advance your career. Our commitment to diversity training ensures that all team members have the opportunity to thrive. Join a team where your skills will be honed, your professional growth will be supported, and where you can genuinely see the difference you make in the lives of patients around the world. Innovative Work Environment McKesson is at the forefront of healthcare innovation. Our team is constantly exploring new ways to improve patient outcomes and streamline care processes. This commitment to innovation is what sets us apart and what makes McKesson an exciting place to work. Career Development and Benefits McKesson believes in nurturing the potential of its employees through robust career development programs and comprehensive benefits designed to support your life and well-being. From leadership training to health and wellness benefits, we ensure our team members are equipped to meet their professional and personal goals. Explore Job Opportunities Whether you’re looking for an internship to kickstart your career, or a senior position to utilize your extensive experience, McKesson offers a range of opportunities. Explore our open positions and find where you can make a difference at McKesson. Stay Connected Join Our Team Search for open positions that match your skills and interests. We are looking for passionate, curious, and solution-driven team players who are ready to take the next step in their careers. Keep Up to Date Stay ahead with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. Networking and Professional Growth At McKesson, networking and professional growth are part of our everyday environment. We encourage our employees to connect, share, and learn from each other to foster personal and professional development. Job Alert Emails Personalize your subscription to receive job alerts, latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding career opportunities that await you at McKesson. Join McKesson today and be part of a team that is dedicated to shaping the future of healthcare.
Learn more about McKesson
Size
58,000 employees
Market Cap
$53.7 billion
Industry
Net Income
-$4.1 billion
Founded
1833
5 Year Trend
+5.9%
Revenue
$237.6 billion
NASDAQ

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at McKesson

More Finance & Insurance Jobs

Find similar Director Executive Payroll Operations jobs: