Payroll Manager

General Information

Posting Date

08-12-2026

Time Type

Full-Time

Job ID

8829

Areas of Expertise

Finance

Job Category

Finance

Locations

San Jose, Costa Rica

Description

At Gensler, we design for people. We leverage our global perspective and local presence to innovate at every scale. We’re not just designers. We are story tellers, collaborators, innovators, and thought leaders. Fueled by passion and entrepreneurial spirit, our people generate new ideas to solve some of the world’s most challenging problems. Simply put, we come to work every day to design a more resilient, inclusive, and equitable future for communities and cities around the world.

Our team member focused, “people first” culture and “one firm-firm” philosophy allows us to work seamlessly across geographies and align individual interests with career opportunities wherever they exist. Gensler’s mission is to “Create a Better World Through the Power of Design,” and we do that with a deep commitment to our clients and by fostering a collaborative, diverse, and inclusive work environment that enables our people to do their best work, pursue their personal passions and realize their full professional potential.

Your Role

Gensler is seeking an experienced and results-driven LATAM Payroll Manager to lead payroll operations across Costa Rica, Mexico, Colombia, Dominican Republic and Argentina. This position reports to the Senior Global Payroll Manager and is responsible for ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely payroll processing while partnering closely with Human Resources, Tax, Treasury, Accounting, and external payroll providers to support business operations and deliver an exceptional employee experience.

As the LATAM Payroll Manager, you will manage end-to-end payroll operations, statutory compliance, payroll controls, vendor management, and continuous process improvement across the region. You will lead a team of 2 payroll professionals, support regional and global payroll initiatives, and drive operational excellence through strong governance, collaboration, and service delivery.

This role is ideal for a payroll leader who thrives in a fast-paced, multinational environment, enjoys solving complex payroll challenges, developing high-performing teams, and building strong partnerships across the business.

**This position is based onsite daily in Gensler's Costa Rica office**

What You Will Do

Lead Payroll Operations

• Manage end-to-end payroll operations for Costa Rica, Mexico, Colombia, Dominican Republic and Argentina, ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely payroll processing.
• Review and approve payroll calculations, including salary adjustments, retroactive payments, bonuses, off-cycle payrolls, special payrolls, and terminations.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex payroll issues.

Ensure Compliance & Controls

• Ensure compliance with local payroll, tax, labor, and statutory regulations, including Mexico Profit Sharing (Participación de los Trabajadores en las Utilidades) and Dominican Republic Profit Sharing (Participación en los beneficios), Aguinaldo, social security, and tax reporting.
• Oversee statutory filings, tax remittances, and payroll reconciliations.
• Maintain payroll policies, procedures, documentation, and internal controls.
• Support internal and external payroll audits.

Partner & Improve

• Partner with HR, Accounting, Treasury, Tax, and payroll vendors to ensure efficient payroll operations.
• Identify and implement process improvements, automation, and standardization initiatives.
• Support payroll setup, implementations, and regional/global payroll projects.

Lead the Team

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of 2 LATAM Payroll Specialists, fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Monitor workload, performance, and service levels to ensure operational excellence and business continuity.

Your Qualifications

• Global Payroll Management Certificate or Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive payroll experience, including 5+ years managing multi-country or regional payroll operations and leading a payroll team.
• Strong knowledge of LATAM payroll, tax, labor, and statutory regulations, including statutory profit sharing and Aguinaldo; experience supporting Canadian payroll is a plus.
• Demonstrated ownership, accountability, sound judgment, and exceptional attention to detail.
• Proven ability to manage payroll vendors and build strong cross-functional partnerships.
• Hands-on experience supporting internal and external payroll audits, maintaining strong payroll controls, and leading payroll implementations, reconciliations, payroll accounting, and process improvements.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and leadership skills, with sound judgment to identify risks and escalate issues appropriately.
• Proficiency with Workday, TMF, or similar payroll and HRIS platforms preferred.
• English and Spanish proficiency required; Portuguese is a plus.

Life at Gensler

At Gensler, we are as committed to enjoying life as we are to delivering best-in-class design. From curated art exhibits to internal design competitions to “Well-being Awareness Week,” our offices reflect our people’s diverse interests.

We encourage every person at Gensler to lead a healthy and balanced life. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability, wellness programs, flex spending, paid holidays, and paid time off. We also offer a 401k, profit sharing, employee stock ownership, and twice annual bonus opportunities. Our annual base salary range has been established based on local markets.

As part of the firm’s commitment to licensure and professional development, Gensler offers reimbursement for certain professional licenses and associated renewals and exam fees. In addition, we reimburse tuition for certain eligible programs or classes. We view our professional development programs as strategic investments in our future.

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer of choice. All aspects of employment decisions will be based on merit, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of any status protected under federal, state and local law.

Individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with federal, state and local law.

See also Know your rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal , right to work and E-verify program , as required by law.

Gensler endeavors to make gensler.com/careers accessible to all applicants. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us .

Regarding Gensler’s approach to recruiting new talent, we will never ask an applicant for sensitive or personal financial information during the recruitment process. We advise all applicants seeking employment with Gensler to review available information on recruitment fraud . Anyone who suspects that they have been contacted by someone falsely representing Gensler should email

[email protected]

.