Principal, Global Payroll

At Cotality, we are driven by a single mission—to make the property industry faster, smarter, and more people-centric. Cotality is the trusted source for property intelligence, with unmatched precision, depth, breadth, and insights across the entire ecosystem. Our talented team of 5,000 employees globally uses our network, scale, connectivity and technology to drive the largest asset class in the world. Join us as we work toward our vision of fueling a thriving global property ecosystem and a more resilient society.

Cotality is committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive work culture that inspires innovation and bold thinking; it's a place where you can collaborate, feel valued, develop skills and directly impact the real estate economy. We know our people are our greatest asset. At Cotality, you can be yourself, lift people up and make an impact. By putting clients first and continuously innovating, we're working together to set the pace for unlocking new possibilities that better serve the property industry.

Job Description:

Location: Irvine, CA / Hybrid

The Opportunity

As our Principal, Global Payroll you are ensuring that the people who power the global property ecosystem are supported with precision and care. We are looking for a seasoned Global Payroll professional who is strategic and will help lead our payroll operations. You will be the vital link between HR, Finance, and Technology, driving high-performance results through automation and a "people-first" style.

How You Will Make an Impact

• Set the Pace: Contribute to the full-life cycle global payroll function across diverse geographies and frequencies, ensuring our global team is paid accurately and on time, every time.

• Innovate, Always: Actively identify and implement process improvements. You will move us toward "best-in-class" operations by automating integrations between systems, GL, and reporting tools.

• Lift People Up: Mentor a global payroll team. You will prioritize cross-training and professional development to ensure a resilient, knowledgeable department.

• Ensure Totality: Collaborate on the preparation of biweekly, monthly, and year-end reporting. Your insights will ensure our leadership has a 360-degree view of earnings, taxes, and deductions.

• Guard the Ecosystem: Maintain ironclad SOX compliance and lead payroll-related audits. You will ensure we meet all global government taxing and pension regulations with unwavering integrity.

• Collaborate & Connect: Partner closely with HR and Finance to align payroll coding with budgetary goals and ensure our internal policies reflect our commitment to equity and accuracy.

What You Bring to the Table

• Global Vision: Extensive experience managing complex, multi-national payrolls and a deep understanding of global tax and regulatory landscapes.

• Technical Excellence: A track record of maximizing technical efficiencies and keeping sensitive data secure through advanced payroll systems and HCM integrations.

• Strategic Mindset: The ability to look beyond the "now" to identify how automation can reduce friction and improve employee experience.

• Exceptional Communication: You can translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insights for stakeholders across the organization.

What You will Do

• Coordinate the full life cycle of the payroll processing function across the globe using various payroll systems and multiple payroll frequencies.

• Ensure accurate and timely compensation for employees

• Mentor, and guide payroll staff

• Prioritize cross training within the department to ensure critical processes are shared with back up readily available when needed. 

• Critically review and analyze current practices and identify process improvements leading to best-practice operations

• Monitor SOX compliance and manage payroll related audits

• Enforce established payroll related policies and regulations

• Automate as many aspects of payroll as possible via integration including timesheets, report generation, error and exception reports, and general ledger integration

• Ensure systems are established to optimize workflow, meet the needs of the payroll rules as dictated by internal company policies as well as external government rules and regulations across the globe

• Maximize technical efficiency to keep data secure.

• Communicate actively with Payroll Team, department heads, HR and Finance to ensure proper compliance with internal and external policies and coding from a budgetary perspective

• Manage regular preparation of relevant reports, including weekly, monthly, quarterly and year-end reports periodic reports of earnings, taxes, and deductions

• Ensure full compliance with federal and state tax regulations and global government taxing and pension authorities

• Partner with Human Resources to implement best practices according to company Policies and Procedures.

Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

• Minimum of 3 years with multi-state and global payroll

• A trusted advisor who demonstrates active listening and considers the impact of their decision across the enterprise

• Strong organizational and problem-solving and analytical skills

• A proven team leader that can optimally identify, develop, and manage team members to attain team/individual career goals

• Current knowledge of applicable federal and state wage & hour laws for US and similar to international locations.

• Demonstrated knowledge of payroll trends and service delivery models on a global basis

• Excellent understanding of equity related transactions

• Excellent relationship building and business collaboration skills

• Experience in managing and documenting payroll controls for SOX compliance

• Experience with Global tax and pension requirements

• Ability to manage multiple projects with overlapping deadlines and utilize resources appropriately

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, skilled in payroll analytics and data modeling using Excel, preparing clear documentation in Word, and delivering engaging presentations in PowerPoint.

• Workday Payroll and HR, Dayforce Payroll and HR, ADP Streamline, ADP Vista, OSV

#LI-RS1

Annual Pay Range:

Application Window:

This opportunity is expected to remain posted through the date identified below, subject to business needs.

Thrive with Cotality

At Cotality, we offer more than just a job, we provide a benefits experience designed to support your whole self. From a flexible working model to competitive time off and standout health coverage with meaningful perks and growth opportunities, our package is built to help you thrive at work and in life.

Highlights include:

• Time off: Generous PTO and 11 paid holidays, plus well-being and volunteer time off.

• Family Support: Up to 16 weeks of fully paid parental leave and a baby stipend.

• Health: Multiple medical plan options with mental health and wellness support offerings.

• Retirement: 401(k) with company match and vesting after one year.

• Financial Perks: $400 annual well-being stipend and tuition assistance up to $5,250.

• Extras: Recognition Rewards, Referral bonuses, exclusive discounts and more!

• Click here to see a comprehensive list of our benefit offerings.

Cotality is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to attracting and retaining the best-qualified people available, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability or status as a veteran of the Armed Forces, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. Cotality maintains a Drug-Free Workplace. ​​​

Cotality is fully committed to a work environment that embraces everyone’s unique contributions, experiences and values. We offer an empowered work environment that encourages creativity, initiative and professional growth and provides a competitive salary and benefits package. ​ We are better together when we support and recognize our differences.  ​

Privacy Policy

Global Applicant Privacy Policy

By providing your telephone number, you agree to receive automated (SMS) text messages at that number from Cotality regarding all matters related to your application and, if you are hired, your employment and company business. Message & data rates may apply. You can opt out at any time by responding STOP or UNSUBSCRIBING and will automatically be opted out company-wide.

Connect with us on social media!  Click on the quicklinks below to find out more about our company and associates