Payroll Director

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Job Description:

Airbus Commercial Aircraft is looking for a Payroll Director  to join our  Human Resources based in Herndon, VA.

As Director of Payroll Administration, you are a vital member of the Payroll and broader HR team. Together with your team and key stakeholders, you will re-define, standardize and operationalize payroll solutions for Airbus Americas and affiliates, ensuring we deliver a world-class pay experience. Reporting into the Head of HR & Work Place Shared Services, you will lead, and be supported by, a team of engaged and enthusiastic payroll professionals. The ideal candidate will thrive in a collaborative, high-energy environment focused on employee development and lifelong learning. Together we can Make It Fly. 

Meet the Team:

Working in our Human Resources department, it’s our mission to help support Airbus’ greatest assets: our team members. Our team works cross-departmentally as well as with our global counterparts to ensure we are making a positive impact on all aspects of our employee experience.

 

Your Working Environment:

The Washington, D.C. metro area is home to multiple Airbus offices: In our nation’s capital you will find the Airbus Experience Center, a collection of interactive, multimedia exhibitions highlighting the extensive role the company plays in the aviation, aerospace and defense industries in the U.S. and around the world. The D.C. area is also home to our regional corporate headquarters – located adjacent to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) - it makes flying in a breeze!

How We Care for You:

• Financial Rewards: Competitive base salary, incentive compensation which may include profit sharing schemes, retirement savings plan and the ability to participate in an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”)

• Work/Life Balance: Paid time off including personal time, holidays and a generous paid parental leave program.

• Health & Welfare: Comprehensive insurance coverage including medical (traditional and high-deductible health plans), prescription, dental, vision, life, disability, Employee Assistance Plan (“EAP”) and other supplemental benefit coverages. 

• Individual Development: Upskilling and development opportunities through our global Leadership University, including unlimited access to 10,000+ e-learning courses focusing on ways to develop your employability, certifications, career path as well as the opportunity to participate in accelerated development programmes and both national and international mobility.

 

Your Challenges:

Primary Responsibilities

Leadership: 30%

• Overall responsibility for the payroll team direction, development, performance and maintenance within the organization

• Coach, mentor and provide leadership to payroll team members in order to optimize operational excellence and create a deeper bench of experienced talent

• Create and implement training for organization-wide staff on use of the existing and new systems

• Maintain payroll staff by recruiting, selecting, orienting and training

• Foster relationships with senior internal stakeholders by establishing and maintaining exceptional business relationships

Project Management: 25%

• Responsible for coordinating and managing the integration of acquisitions for payroll purposes

• Create and maintain project plans, risk logs, and other reporting to keep team and leadership informed

• Diagnose issues and payroll design needs; make recommendations to improve efficiency and effectiveness within HRIS and payroll systems for upcoming integrations

• Partner with team members to develop procedures for new and unique business needs

• Collaborate with broader internal and external project stakeholders to manage full life-cycle implementation of the payroll, time off, and time and attendance systems in support of business initiatives

Strategy: 20%

• Define and manage strategy for the payroll operations function (e.g., payroll, timekeeping, payroll tax, and payroll accounting/GL integration)

• Partner closely with internal and external partners on strategic opportunities and enabling technologies

• Critically review and analyze current practices and organizational effectiveness to identify improvement opportunities leading to best-practice

• Provide effective negotiation, collaboration and change management while working with internal and external stakeholders

Compliance: 20%

• Establish and maintain policies, procedures and internal controls that ensure accuracy, labor law adherence and 100% regulatory compliance

• Provide audit and oversight to the teams’ activities and processes, ensuring that pertinent internal and external compliance and government interaction standards are met

• Ensure service standards are met and in line with service level agreements on all Payroll KPI’s

• Ensure data security and integrity

Other duties as assigned: 5%

Your Boarding Pass:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Finance, Business Administration or related field

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Tax Law or International Law preferred

Experience

• 10+ years of payroll experience with increasing responsibility 

• 15+ years of progressive HR and/or finance experience

• 5+ years of leadership experience

• Payroll tax experience preferred

• Payroll implementation experience preferred

• Experience working in a multi-functional international environment preferred

Preferred Licensure/Certifications

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)

• PHR, SPHR or SHRM certifications

Travel Required

• 10% domestic

 

Citizenship

• Authorized to Work in the US

 Physical Requirements

• Onsite: 100%

• Vision: Daily able to see and read computer screens and other electronic equipment with screens, able to read documents, reports and engineering drawings.

• Hearing: Daily able to participate in conversations in person and via teleconference or phone and to hear sounds on the production floor including safety warnings or alarms.

• Speaking: Daily able to speak in conversations and meetings, deliver information and participate in communications.

• Equipment Operation (personal computer, telephone, copies, fax machine, and related office equipment and using electronic identification card to enter building floors and internal doors): Daily able to operate most office and personal electronic equipment and some tools including production tools such as hydraulic lifts.

• Carrying: Several times a week able to carry documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs.

• Lifting: Several times a week able to lift documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs.

• Pushing / Pulling: Several times a week able to push and pull small office furniture and some equipment and tools.

• Sitting: Daily able to sit for long periods of time in meetings, working on the computer.

• Squatting / Kneeling: Several times a month able to squat or kneel to retrieve or replace items stored on low shelving.

• Standing: Daily able to stand for discussions in offices or on the production floor.

• Travel: Rarely able to travel independently and at short notice.

• Walking (include routine walking such as to a shared printer to retrieve documents): Daily able to walk through office and production areas including uneven surfaces.

• Appropriate hearing/eye protection may also be required when visiting the shop floor

Salary range:

Salary range based on the required profile: $165,000.00 - 200,000.00/year.  Actual minimum and maximum may vary based on geographic differential. Individual pay is based on skills, experience, and other relevant factors. This position offers the following benefits:  Medical insurance, Dental insurance, Vision insurance, Prescription insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Basic & Voluntary Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance, Short and Long-term Disability insurance, 401(k), Paid time off including paid holidays, Tuition Assistance, Bonus(es) subject to performance criteria.  These are our current benefit offerings for the current plan year and are subject to change without notice..

 

Take your career to a new level and apply online now!

 

A full job description will be provided to candidates who progress to the interview stage or any candidate upon request.

  

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

Company:

Airbus Americas, Inc.

Employment Type:

US - Direct Hire

Experience Level:

Professional

Remote Type:

On-site

Job Family:

Leadership

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Job Posting End Date: 08.01.2026

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Airbus provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status or other legally protected status. In addition to federal law requirements, Airbus complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, demotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, benefits and training. Airbus expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status or other legally protected status. As a matter of policy, Airbus does not sponsor visas for US positions unless specified. Only applicants with current work authorization will be considered. Airbus does not offer tenured or guaranteed employment. Employment with Airbus is at will, meaning either the company or the employee can terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice. Airbus reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

By submitting your CV or application you are consenting to Airbus using and storing information about you for monitoring purposes relating to your application or future employment. This information will only be used by Airbus.
Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief.

Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to [email protected].