Director - Payroll Operations

We’re looking for a Director Payroll Operations to lead and scale Figma’s payroll function worldwide. This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for driving the vision strategy and execution of payroll operations across all regions where Figma operates. You’ll oversee end-to-end payroll processing compliance and automation while partnering closely with Finance People Accounting and Legal to ensure excellence in every transaction and every country.

As Figma continues to grow as a public company this leader will be instrumental in building scalable automated systems ensuring regulatory compliance and providing an exceptional employee experience globally. This role reports to the Senior Director Assistant Controller.

This is a full time role that can be held from one of our US hubs or remotely in the United States.

What you’ll do at Figma:

• Lead and oversee all aspects of global payroll operations ensuring accurate compliant and timely processing across multiple countries and employment arrangements

• Develop and execute a global payroll strategy aligned with Figma’s growth public company controls and expansion goals

• Manage mentor and grow a global payroll team of 5+ professionals and contractors fostering development stability and accountability

• Drive process automation vendor consolidation and system optimization to create efficiency reduce manual work and scale for growth

• Partner cross-functionally with People Operations HRIS Benefits Accounting Equity and Tax on payroll-related initiatives including system integrations entity setup and compliance enhancements

• Ensure SOX compliance internal controls and audit readiness for payroll-related processes

• Create and maintain policies documentation and governance frameworks to ensure consistency and adherence to global labor tax and data protection requirements

• Serve as a strategic partner in global expansion efforts advising on payroll design vendor models and compliance strategy

We'd love to hear from you if you have:

• 12+ years of experience leading global payroll operations in a public company environment

• Deep understanding of U.S. and international payroll laws taxation and compliance requirements

• Demonstrated ability to design implement and maintain SOX-compliant controls and documentation

• Strong leadership skills with experience managing distributed teams and fostering growth through change

• Ability to work cross-functionally and influence decision-making at all levels of the organization

While not required it’s an added plus if you also have:

• Experience in high-growth technology or SaaS environments

• Expertise in international vendor consolidation and payroll vendor management

• Experience with stock-related payroll transactions including stock options RSUs and ESPPs with strong knowledge of tax reporting and withholding

• Certification as a Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or through the Global Payroll Management Institute (GPMI)

At Figma one of our values is Grow as you go. We believe in hiring smart curious people who are excited to learn and develop their skills. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with the points outlined in the job description we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Pay Transparency Disclosure

If based in Figma’s San Francisco or New York hub offices this role has the annual base salary range stated below.

Job level and actual compensation will be decided based on factors including but not limited to individual qualifications objectively assessed during the interview process (including skills and prior relevant experience potential impact and scope of role) market demands and specific work location. The listed range is a guideline and the range for this role may be modified. For roles that are available to be filled remotely the pay range is localized according to employee work location by a factor of between 80% and 100% of range. Please discuss your specific work location with your recruiter for more information.

Figma offers equity to employees as well a competitive package of additional benefits including health dental & vision retirement with company contribution parental leave & reproductive or family planning support mental health & wellness benefits generous PTO company recharge days a learning & development stipend a work from home stipend and cell phone reimbursement.  Figma also offers sales incentive pay for most sales roles and an annual bonus plan for eligible non-sales roles. Figma’s compensation and benefits are subject to change and may be modified in the future.

Annual Base Salary Range (SF/NY Hub):

$198000—$288000 USD