Overview

This is an Individual Contributor role that works directly with Regional Payroll Directors and Payroll Service Delivery Managers as key partners. Microsoft’s International Payroll organization provides trusted payroll solutions to over 90,000 employees in 90+ countries.  As an International Employment Tax Manager, you will serve as a strategic advisor and operational leader within Microsoft’s International Payroll Organization. Your mission is to drive employment tax compliance, governance, and operational excellence across Microsoft’s global payroll ecosystem. You will collaborate closely with Corporate Tax, Finance, HR, and external partners to ensure robust controls, mitigate risks, and support Microsoft’s commitment to trust and compliance.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Guide the develop and enhancement of tools, processes, and controls to strengthen employment tax compliance globally.

• Advise HR on Compensation and Benefit programs, ensuring compliance through rigorous due diligence and process design.

• Drive clarity and consistency in policies and procedures for new programs, proactively identifying and mitigating risks in partnership with Corporate Tax, Finance, and HR.

Governance & Assurance:

• Serve as the first line of assurance for employment tax compliance across international payroll operations.

• Lead operational performance reviews with a focus on employment tax compliance. Conduct periodic compliance reviews of payroll tax calculations, reporting, documentation, and remittances.

• Manage Corporate Employment Tax Tracking Tools to identify trends, risks, and areas for improvement.

• Act as the primary liaison with external tax consultants and auditors, managing engagements, deliverables, and associated budgets.

Operational Excellence

• Provide expert advice on tax and social security treatment for new pay elements and critical payroll changes.

• Review and approve implementation of employment tax changes within payroll systems, ensuring compliance with reporting and filing requirements.

• Build and maintain Shadow Payroll capability in partnership with Global Mobility and payroll providers to ensure accurate tax reporting for international assignees.

• Support payroll supplier setup or transitions to align with local tax obligations.

• Deliver employment tax training and foster a culture of continuous learning within payroll and HR teams.

Regulatory Reporting

• Coordinate data collection and approvals for Corporate Tax and Accounting teams, including US IRS and EU Country-by-Country Reporting.

• Ensure accurate, timely, and compliant regulatory reporting across all jurisdictions.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or related field.
• Strong experience in payroll multi-jurisdictional tax operations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience  in a regional or international employment tax role, with a proven track record in governance, planning, and advisory across multiple jurisdictions.
• Deep expertise in payroll operations, global mobility, and equity-based compensation.
• Strong project management and vendor management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and engage senior stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Advanced IT skills and awareness of emerging technologies, including AI.
• Commitment to ethical conduct, transparency, and Microsoft’s mission of trust through compliance.

This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.