Sperton Global AS, a global recruitment and consulting firm with offices across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, is partnering with our client, a global leader in power and technology, to hire a Payroll Tax Lead for their U.S. HR Operations team. This is a full-time role based in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Role Overview

The Payroll Tax Lead will take end-to-end ownership of payroll tax processes, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. This position requires a detail-oriented professional capable of managing multi-state payroll, vendor relationships, payroll cycles, and reconciliations, while serving as a key point of contact for internal stakeholders. The role emphasizes proactive issue resolution, process improvement, and centralized management of payroll tax operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage federal and multi-state payroll tax processing, including calculations, payments, and filings.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations.
• Review and optimize payroll tax processes for accuracy, efficiency, and scalability.
• Prepare and file payroll tax returns (e.g., 941, 940, state unemployment tax) and manage year-end reporting (W-2s/W-2Cs).
• Create and maintain wage types for U.S. payroll and oversee payroll cycles, including reconciliations.
• Manage relationships with third-party payroll and tax vendors; ensure deliverables meet specifications and deadlines.
• Perform audits of payroll tax data to identify discrepancies and maintain accuracy.
• Serve as a key point of contact for employees, state agencies, and regulatory bodies regarding payroll tax matters.
• Prepare and present periodic reports to management on payroll tax obligations, deadlines, and areas of risk.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, and Benefits teams to maintain streamlined payroll operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field. CPP or other relevant certification preferred.
• 8–10+ years of experience in payroll tax accounting with multi-state U.S. payroll expertise.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax laws and compliance requirements.
• Experience with ADP and familiarity with payroll systems; SAP knowledge a plus.
• Proven ability to manage vendor relationships and ensure compliance with service-level agreements.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
• Detail-oriented, proactive, and committed to accuracy and service delivery.
• Ability to work in a hybrid environment and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Authorization to work in the U.S. (no sponsorship).

Sperton Global AS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.