Vice President, Payroll - US and Canada

We’re Sony Pictures Entertainment. We are a proudly independent studio in the business of creativity, making some of the most beloved film and television works for every platform in the world. Along with our sister companies, we make movies, television, music and games that engage billions of people, connecting creators and audiences around the globe. Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America (a subsidiary of the Tokyo based Sony Corporation). SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution, television production and distribution, home entertainment acquisition and distribution, operation of studio facilities, development of new entertainment products, services and technologies, and distribution of entertainment in more than 140 countries.

SPE’s US and Canadian offices are supported by over 5,000 employees including union members. In January of 2022, SPE transitioned its in-house payroll processing to UKG as its 3rd party outsourcing partner. As we continue to transform our Payroll operations the VP of North American Payroll will be responsible for leading a multi-national team. As the North American process owner of Payroll, the role is responsible for the redesign and reorganization of the various payroll-related processes and teams into a more cohesive, standardized, and streamlined organization, optimized to deliver outstanding service to its employees and partners. This role will work closely with the various Operational, Finance, Tax, IT, and HR functions and other key stakeholders to build trust and resolve issues, as well as provide ongoing coaching and development to the Payroll directors, managers, and team members.

Reporting to the SVP of Global Financial Operations, this role will be highly visible to executive leadership and a key player in establishing a best-in-class payroll organization. This role is designed for payroll professionals who will leverage their significant experience in payroll to roll up their sleeves to make an impact. The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in payroll management and systems and a proven track record of building and developing high-performing teams. This role is pivotal in transforming our payroll function into a best-in-class operation, driving innovation, and ensuring seamless integration with our broader organizational goals.

Areas of Responsibility:

• Strategic Leadership:

  • Develop and execute the overall payroll strategy and manage the transformational roadmap considering the associated governance, policies, procedures, technologies, and other change management requirements.

  • Lead, mentor, and manage the payroll team, ensuring professional growth and performance excellence.

  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance payroll processes and systems.

• Payroll Operations:

  • Oversee the preparation and distribution of payroll for all employees in the US and Canada.

  • Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, provincial, and local laws, and regulations.

  • Manage payroll audits, ensuring accuracy and transparency in all payroll-related activities.

  • Collaborate with all parties (HR Centers of Excellence and Productions) on system enhancements and new business requests.

• Benefits, Unions, and Incentives

  • Administer payroll for all executive comp programs including multiple equity programs, long term incentives programs, executive benefits and perquisites.  

  • Oversee the distribution of the restricted stock program, from individual tax impacts, sell to cover calculations, etc.

  • Interpret union contracts, document change requirements, e.g., retro impacts, etc.

  • Play a leadership role in deciphering new and existing incentives to ensure accurate and timely distribution.

  • Partner with HR annually on system requirements for benefit deduction changes.

• Compliance and Risk Management:

  • Monitor changes in payroll legislation and ensure the organization’s payroll practices remain compliant.

  • Develop and enforce payroll policies and procedures to mitigate risks and ensure consistent application.

  • Collaborate with the legal team to address any payroll-related legal matters.

• Vendor Management:

  • Define ways of working, develop operational KPI’s and SLA’s, ensure contract compliance.

  • Partner with Payroll System vendors to stablish clear roles and responsibilities via a target operating model.

  • Lead contract renewal negotiations.

• Collaboration and Communication:

  • Work closely with HR, Finance, and other departments to align payroll operations with overall business objectives.

  • Serve as the primary point of contact for all payroll-related inquiries from executives and external stakeholders.

  • Provide regular reporting on payroll metrics and insights to senior leadership.

Required Skills:

• Leadership Skills:

  • Excellent leadership and team management skills that fosters a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.

  • Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.

  • Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization.

• Technical Skills:

  • Deep knowledge of payroll systems, such as ADP, SAP, or Workday.

  • Strong understanding of payroll regulations, tax laws, and compliance requirements in the US and Canada.

  • Advanced proficiency in payroll software.

• Other Skills:

  • Detail-oriented with a high degree of accuracy.

  • Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.

  • Strong analytical and decision-making skills.

Required Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience of progressive payroll experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership role, operating within a large, matrixed, multinational organization Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with a customer-centric mindset.

• Strong functional knowledge of core end to end global payroll processes and procedures is required.

• Expert knowledge of multi-state US and multi-province Canadian payroll tax rules, and regulations/compliance.

• Proactively drive change management activities to ensure wide adoption and acceptance of changes, including engaging key leaders and facilitating impact assessments, training, and other communications

• Impeccable interpersonal skills, with the ability to navigate seamlessly across stakeholders with varied perspectives and across organization levels from more junior team members to C-level executives.

• Skill in building and managing a high-performing diverse team with a proven ability to develop exceptionally strong talent.

• Ability to assess and articulate business requirements, analyze design options, coordinate testing and drive implementation.

• Experience with integration of new/acquired companies into acquiror payroll processes will be an asset.

• Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) and/or Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, Tax, or a similar analytic discipline

• Experience in entertainment a plus.

• Experience with a 3rd party outsourcing partner (ADP, UKG).

The anticipated base salary for this position is $239,000-$270,000. This role may also qualify for annual incentive and/or comprehensive benefits. The actual base salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location of the position.

Sony Pictures Entertainment is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected characteristics.

SPE will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in accordance with applicable law.

To request an accommodation for purposes of participating in the hiring process, you may contact us at SPE_Accommodation_Assistance@spe.sony.com.