Global Payroll Lead at Nclusion (Palo Alto, CA)Global Payroll Lead

The Payroll Lead at Nclusion will manage day-to-day payroll processing for all employees, ensuring every teammate is paid accurately and on time while helping shape and improve our payroll procedures and systems in a fast-changing environment. This is an individual-contributor role with no direct reports, though you'll be the primary owner of all US payroll operations and may take on specialized international payroll responsibilities as the company grows.

This role is based in our Palo Alto office, where we spend four days a week working together as a team, with one day from home.

• Prepare and reconcile US payroll end-to-end, with the opportunity to take on specialized oversight of select international payrolls
• Coordinate with our payroll support team across time zones to ensure accuracy, compliance, and timely processing
• Monitor payroll tax requirements across jurisdictions to keep the company compliant, and advise People Ops and leadership on tax implications when evaluating new hire locations or resource planning decisions
• Partner closely with People Ops, Operations, Accounting, and external payroll providers to identify and improve payroll workflows
• Serve as the first point of contact for US payroll inquiries, delivering an excellent employee experience
• Accurately and timely process one-time payments (bonuses, commissions, severances), leave-of-absence pay, fringe benefits, and retirement contributions
• Own month-end close activities, including preparation and reconciliation of payroll journal entries and related balance sheet accounts
• Generate and analyze payroll reports to surface trends and inform process improvements
• Provide backup support to local Payroll Analysts as needed
• Support 401(k), payroll tax, and other employee-related audits

• 7+ years of payroll processing experience at small to midsize organizations
• Strong knowledge of payroll compliance, including local payroll tax and labor law requirements across jurisdictions, to ensure the company stays compliant and to inform resource planning as the company grows or hires in new locations
• Experience booking payroll-related journal entries and performing account reconciliations
• 1–2 years of NetSuite experience
• Hands-on experience with payroll platforms; Rippling strongly preferred, though candidates with experience with comparable systems (Gusto, ADP, Workday, etc.) who are quick learners will be considered
• Strong self-management skills, with the ability to prioritize and drive projects to completion in a fast-paced environment
• Advanced Excel skills (XLOOKUP, VLOOKUP, pivot tables, formulas)
• Experience with Equity Administration & related tax processing

• 📈 401k with a match!
• 🩺 Medical Insurance
• 🦷 Dental Insurance
• 👓 Vision Insurance
• 💸 Competitive compensation & equity – We believe in sharing success.
• ✈️ Flexible PTO – We focus on impact, not tracking vacation days. We encourage a minimum of 14 days.
• 🍽️ In-office lunch, team events & culture