Application Guide

How to Apply for Global Head of Payroll

at Via Transporation

🏢 About Via Transporation

Via Transportation is revolutionizing global mobility by partnering with cities and transit agencies to build efficient, sustainable, and equitable transport networks. Their tech-driven approach and rapid growth across 600+ cities worldwide offer a unique opportunity for payroll leaders to shape scalable systems in a dynamic, mission-oriented environment.

About This Role

As Global Head of Payroll, you'll architect and lead payroll operations across Via's global footprint, ensuring accuracy and compliance while driving technology transformation. This role is pivotal in enabling Via's expansion by building robust governance, leading a distributed team, and optimizing systems like Workday Payroll.

💡 A Day in the Life

You might start your day reviewing compliance updates from EU countries, then lead a stand-up with your regional payroll managers. Afternoon could involve a strategy session on Workday optimization, followed by a deep dive into a new entity setup in a market like Germany or France, ensuring controls and integrations are in place.

🚀 Application Tools

Generate Cover Letter

AI-powered, tailored for Via Transporation

Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who Via Transporation Is Looking For

  • A seasoned payroll leader with 10+ years of experience, including managing multinational payroll operations across diverse jurisdictions (e.g., EU, US, APAC).
  • Deep expertise in payroll compliance, taxes, and financial controls, with a track record of implementing scalable processes for high-growth companies.
  • Hands-on experience with Workday Payroll and global payroll platforms, including system implementations, integrations, and automation.
  • A proven people leader who has managed and developed payroll managers across regions, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.

📝 Tips for Applying to Via Transporation

1

Highlight specific examples of leading payroll transformations (e.g., system implementations, process standardization) in your resume and cover letter.

2

Demonstrate your experience with Workday Payroll by mentioning any certifications, modules you've implemented, or integrations you've managed.

3

Tailor your application to emphasize global compliance challenges you've solved, especially in EU regions, as this role is remote EU-based.

4

Quantify your impact: include metrics like payroll accuracy rates, cost savings from automation, or team size and scope.

5

Show cultural agility by mentioning experience working with distributed, cross-regional teams and managing diverse local regulations.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your passion for Via's mission to transform global transport and how your payroll expertise can support their growth.", 'Specific examples of building scalable payroll governance and controls for a fast-growing, multi-entity organization.', 'Your leadership philosophy in developing global payroll teams, with emphasis on coaching and remote management.', 'Your technical proficiency with Workday Payroll and your vision for optimizing payroll technology to drive efficiency.']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read Via's blog and news about their partnerships with cities (e.g., recent expansions in Europe) to understand their growth trajectory.
  • → Review Via's annual reports or press releases to gauge their global footprint and any recent funding or acquisitions.
  • → Familiarize yourself with Via's tech stack, especially their use of Workday, and any public info on their HR/payroll systems.
  • → Look into the competitive landscape of mobility-as-a-service and how Via differentiates itself to understand the business context.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you design a global payroll governance framework for a company expanding into new countries quarterly?
2 Describe your experience implementing or upgrading Workday Payroll, including integration with other HR systems.
3 How do you ensure payroll compliance across multiple jurisdictions while maintaining scalability?
4 Tell us about a time you led a payroll transformation during a period of rapid growth. What were the challenges and outcomes?
5 How do you manage and develop a remote team of payroll professionals across different time zones and cultures?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't focus solely on domestic payroll experience; emphasize your global and EU-specific expertise.
  • Avoid vague statements like 'I have strong leadership skills'; provide concrete examples of team management and development.
  • Don't overlook the technology aspect: failing to mention Workday or other payroll platforms can signal a lack of fit with Via's tech-driven culture.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Via Transporation!

← Back to Job Listing Apply Now →