Global Director, Payroll OutsourcingThe roleRSM'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.
What you will do- 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.
Requirements:- 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.
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.
