Vice President, US Payroll (Project Management)

Job Classification:

Corporate - Human Resources

The Human Resources (HR) Delivery team owns the operations for Prudential's global total rewards programs, payroll, tax, accounting, and talent acquisition.  It also provides data management, application management and shared services operational support for HR.  An opportunity exists within the team for a Vice President, Payroll.

As the Vice President of Payroll at Prudential, you will be responsible for leading our US payroll function, including leading our in-house team of payroll service delivery professionals and owning the relationships with our payroll vendor, as well as collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders and providing strategic guidance to optimize payroll operations.  The ideal candidate will have significant experience with navigating complex payroll requests and topics, system implementations, strategy, continuous improvement, and leadership of operations.

Location: Newark, NJ and virtual locations considered

Responsibilities:

• Lead the payroll service delivery team, consistently implementing process improvements and advancing automation initiatives.
• Oversee all US semi-monthly, biweekly, and ad hoc payroll cycles, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and strict adherence to compliance standards.
• Facilitate payroll connections with Tax, Accounting and Legal.
• Rapidly identify and lead resolution of payroll issues.
• Identify process inefficiencies and implement solutions to close any operational gaps.
• Proactively anticipate future needs, developing and refining processes to meet evolving demands.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to introduce new processes or recommend impactful changes.
• Lead strategic payroll system enhancement projects.
• Engage regularly with outsourced vendor teams to set, monitor, and uphold high service standards, ensuring exceptional performance.
• Monitor and manage tax-related communications and actions to ensure compliance.
• Oversee and reinforce internal controls, ensuring the team's compliance with SOX standards.
• Partner closely with local in country payroll teams, Global Mobility, and Finance teams to drive alignment and efficiency.
• Work collaboratively with cross-functional HR and Operations & Systems teams to support holistic organizational objectives. 

Qualifications / Competencies:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience within HR and Payroll, emphasizing strategic planning, operational excellence, process optimization, managing talent, and strong analytical thinking.
• Proven ability to manage external vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Exceptional leadership and team-building skills, with the ability to balance tactical and strategic responsibilities.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively flex style and approach based on the audience (e.g., senior leadership, vendors, technology support, executives, participants).
• Strong analytical skills and the demonstrated ability to leverage data insights to drive process improvements.
• Critical and creative thinking, with the ability to think broadly and make connections across multiple programs and processes.
• Experience with establishing new processes and identifying/implementing innovative solutions.
• Prior successful experience working in a large company environment.
• Strong business and financial acumen and the capability to influence and collaborate across all levels.
• Keen appreciation for the participant experience.
• Experience interfacing with senior executives.
• Previous Workday experience preferred.
• Previous Compensation, Benefits, and international HR experience a strong plus.
• Availability to travel as needed to meet strategic goals and support team functions.

What we offer you:

Prudential is required by state specific laws to include the salary range for this role when hiring a resident in applicable locations. The salary range for this role is from $171,500.00 to $232,000.00. Specific pricing for the role may vary within the above range based on many factors including geographic location, candidate experience, and skills.

• Market competitive base salaries, with a yearly bonus potential at every level. 

• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, Paid Time Off (PTO), and leave of absences, such as parental and military leave. 

• 401(k) plan with company match (up to 4%). 

• Company-funded pension plan. 

• Wellness Programs including up to $1,600 a year for reimbursement of items purchased to support personal wellbeing needs. 

• Work/Life Resources to help support topics such as parenting, housing, senior care, finances, pets, legal matters, education, emotional and mental health, and career development.  

• Education Benefit to help finance traditional college enrollment toward obtaining an approved degree and many accredited certificate programs.  

• Employee Stock Purchase Plan: Shares can be purchased at 85% of the lower of two prices (Beginning or End of the purchase period), after one year of service. 

Eligibility to participate in a discretionary annual incentive program is subject to the rules governing the program, whereby an award, if any, depends on various factors including, without limitation, individual and organizational performance. To find out more about our Total Rewards package, visit Work Life Balance | Prudential Careers. Some of the above benefits may not apply to part-time employees scheduled to work less than 20 hours per week.