Payroll & Benefits Governance and Operations Leader
Posted 2025-04-06With approximately 1,500 employees operating in more than 20 countries, Spectrum Safety Solutions is a global leader in fire detection and suppression solutions for high-hazard applications across verticals such as critical infrastructure, oil and gas, marine and clean energy. Our global team leverages strong customer relationships across four recognized brands, Det-Tronics, Marioff, Autronica and Fireye, to deliver differentiated lifecycle solutions and advance growth across key segments. Carved out from CarrierÂs Fire & Security business in July 2024, Spectrum Safety Solutions is now a privately held company under the ownership of Sentinel Capital Partners.
We have an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated individual to lead our global Payroll & Benefits function at our world headquarters based in Stamford, CT. You will report to the CHRO and closely collaborate with Spectrum SafetyÂs Finance team and key HR leadership of the four brands.
Who you are:
You are energized by continuous learning and improvement and surround yourself with opportunities for personal and professional development. You are comfortable rolling-up your sleeves to solve for the root cause. You can be process driven and analytical. You can operate effectively in times of change and uncertainty. You strive to be #1 in the areas that you are passionate about. Past colleagues would describe you as trustworthy and authentic. You know you have an impact on the people and customers you support.
As a Payroll & Benefits Manager, you will influence payroll and benefits strategy globally, working with payroll technology partners, insurance broker, benefits carriers, and SpectrumÂs supporting PMO, ensuring on-time and accurate compensation and compliance in the brands, and ensuring data integrity related to employee records in our HRIS and payroll systems and with vendor partners.
Primary responsibilities include:
 Drive implementation of global payroll strategy, providing transparency and real-time visibility to data and costing
 Manage vendor relationships and all daily operations required to execute accurate and timely payroll and benefit services
 Work closely with third-party partner(s) to ensure project tasks are completed on time, escalating issues for resolution with options, risks, and impacts clearly documented and presented
 Provide direction and leadership and cultivate an organization that promotes a culture of service excellence, execution, and continuous improvement
 Deliver Payroll and Benefits analytics & manage team productivity (e.g. reports, dashboards, service levels) implementing continuous improvement solutions and streamlining processes, identifying common people issues and partnering with appropriate HR business partners and Finance to deliver enhancements)
 Manage payroll tax processes and all ancillary services under the responsibility of third party vendors (Tax credit programs, unemployment, escheatment, garnishments etc.)
 Manage the delivery of payroll services and maintain strong knowledge of payroll best practices
 Ensure the global payroll team members are properly trained, accountable and equipped with the tools needed to deliver results
 Build, coach, and direct a team of direct reports into a highly responsive team that meets the required published performance standards.
 Lead and direct the payroll team through promoting a customer first mindset to ensure payments accurate and on-time
 Ensure compliance, reporting and fiduciary oversight of payrolls
 Collaborate with Finance to drive evolution of payroll accounting policies and procedures with proper internal controls as it relates to payroll management and benefits compliance
Experience & Education:
 B.A. or B.S. preferred
 10+ years of payroll and benefits, accounting, and team leadership experience, preferably in international manufacturing
 Experience leading a payroll function required with strong knowledge of payroll best practices, including outsourced payroll
 Experience with ADP Workforce Now, including Payroll and Benefits Dashboards, and Celergo
 Relationships with payroll implementation and consulting organizations, to leverage for support as needed
 Experience manipulating large data sets  advanced Excel skills  an ability to derive insights and make data-driven recommendations
 Effective leadership and staff development of large geographically dispersed payroll team
 Strong leadership skills including the ability to recruit, motivate, evaluate and retain top talent possess strong business acumen and run all aspects of the Payroll and Benefits function
 Strong customer service orientation and must be proactive and solution focused with an ability to deal effectively with escalations and root cause analysis of issues through resolution
 Working knowledge of payroll tax for countries in Europe, Middle East, and Asia
 Working knowledge of acquisitions and divestitures
 Working knowledge and experience interacting with unions and works councils
 Track record of developing meaningful relationships at all levels within an organization.
 Solid communication, leadership and interpersonal skills and ability to influence colleagues across the organization.
 Ability to operate and think strategically, coupled with proven analytical skills.
 Able to work under tight deadlines and pressure.
 Highly ethical and thrives in a collaborative environment.
We offer:
 A dynamic and internationally oriented work environment in a company with a strong growth strategy.
 Domestic and international travel
www.spectrum-safety.com
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