Own and scale global payroll operations while ensuring compliance and accuracy in a high-growth AI startup.
Posted by employer 1 month ago
First seen on Joblaze 15 hours ago
Last verified on the company career page 15 hours ago
What you'll build
- Run payroll across the U.S. and international jurisdictions
- Design and improve payroll systems and documentation
- Manage relationships with payroll providers and partners
- Coordinate payroll tax compliance and registrations
- Administer key programs like 401(k) contributions
Must have
- 5+ years in payroll, accounting operations, or finance operations
- Deep domestic and international payroll experience
- Strong command of US payroll tax compliance
- International payroll tax knowledge
- Fluency with enterprise payroll platforms
Practical constraints
- Based in San Francisco and willing to work from the office 5 days per week
Requirements
- Experience
- 5+ years
Not disclosed in this posting: compensation, visa sponsorship.
Joblaze summary
The Payroll Operations Manager at Cognition is responsible for overseeing the entire payroll process, ensuring timely and accurate payments for employees, contractors, and commission recipients across multiple jurisdictions. This role requires extensive knowledge of both domestic and international payroll compliance, as well as experience with enterprise payroll systems like ADP or Workday. Ideal candidates will have over five years of experience in payroll or finance operations, particularly in high-growth environments. Cognition's team is composed of highly skilled professionals from leading AI companies, emphasizing a strong operational foundation as the company scales.
Joblaze insights
- Listed today — first seen on Joblaze September 21, 2026. Last confirmed on Cognition's careers page September 21, 2026.
Quick facts
- Is the Payroll Operations Manager role remote?
- No — this is an on-site role in San Francisco, United States.
- How much experience is required?
- At least 5 years of relevant experience for this Payroll Operations Manager role.
- Where is the role based?
- Cognition is hiring for this position in San Francisco, United States.
- What seniority level is this role?
- Cognition targets senior candidates for this position.
- Is this full-time or contract?
- Full-time for this Payroll Operations Manager role at Cognition.
From the original posting
About the role
We're looking for a Payroll Operations Manager to own and scale our global payroll function while helping build the operational foundation that supports our next stage of growth.
You'll be responsible for ensuring employees, contractors, and commission recipients are paid accurately, compliantly, and on time across the countries in which we operate . You'll oversee payroll operations end-to-end, including domestic and international payroll tax compliance and tax withholding for cash and equity compensation, manage key workforce-related programs such as 401(k) administration, and partner closely with Finance, Accounting, People Operations, Tax, and Legal to build processes that scale.
In this role you will:
Own global payroll end-to-end. Run payroll across the U.S. and international jurisdictions for employees, contractors, and commission recipients—accurate, compliant, and on time, every cycle.
Build for scale. Design and improve the systems, automation, controls, and documentation that let payroll handle 2x, 5x, 10x the volume without proportional effort.
Manage vendors and partners. Own relationships with payroll providers, EORs, and benefits administrators, holding them to a high bar on accuracy, compliance, and service.
Own payroll tax compliance. Coordinate domestic and international payroll tax registrations, withholding, deposits, filings, reconciliations, and tax notice resolution; partner with providers and advisors on local requirements and cross-border employee scenarios.
Manage complex and variable compensation. Ensure the accurate payroll treatment of commissions, bonuses, taxable benefits, relocation payments, and other cash and non-cash compensation.
Administer key programs. Run 401(k) contributions, payroll deductions, contractor payments, garnishments, benefits inputs , and other payments where administered through payroll systems.
Partner cross-functionally. Work closely with Finance, Accounting, People Ops, Tax, and Legal to keep data clean, stay compliant, and give employees a seamless experience.
Requirements for the role:
5+ years in payroll, accounting operations, or finance operations, including ownership of complex payroll in a high-growth environment.
Deep domestic and international payroll experience, with meaningful exposure to international payroll, EORs, global payroll providers, and cross-border employee matters.
Strong command of US payroll tax compliance, including federal, state, and local withholding, deposits, filings, reconciliations, tax notices, and quarter- and year-end reporting.
International payroll tax knowledge. Working knowledge of international payroll tax and withholding concepts, with the judgment to identify issues and coordinate with local payroll providers, Tax, Legal, and external advisors.
Fluency with enterprise payroll platforms (ADP, Workday, Rippling, or similar), including configuration, process improvement, and vendor management.
Based in San Francisco and willing to work from the office 5 days per week.
Standard company text repeated across Cognition's postings is omitted here.