Michelle Montanez
San Diego
Summary
Global Payroll Manager with 25+ years of progressive payroll leadership and hands-on expertise in global, multi-state payroll operations, HRIS migrations, and equity compensation administration. Proven track record delivering large-scale system implementations (ADP, Paycom, Workday, Dayforce), maintaining SOX and multi-jurisdictional compliance, and leading high-performing payroll teams through complex transitions while ensuring uninterrupted payroll accuracy and employee confidence.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Payroll & HRIS Manager
Maersk
Remote
07.2024 - Current
- Led end-to-end migration of HRIS and payroll for 3,300 employees from Paycom to ADP, including data mapping, system configuration, UAT, parallel payroll runs, and post-go-live stabilization.
- Partnered with Payroll, HR, Finance, and IT to preserve payroll accuracy, regulatory compliance, and data integrity throughout the transition.
- Managed parallel payroll processing to mitigate risk and minimize business disruption, maintaining on-time, accurate payroll delivery.
- Directed payroll team activities and provided change management and training during the migration lifecycle.
Senior Payroll Manager
Freedom Forever
Remote
07.2023 - 07.2024
- Oversaw payroll operations and led the full migration from Paylocity to Workday while sustaining daily payroll accuracy.
- Coordinated system setup, configuration, parallel runs, UAT, and regression testing; served as primary liaison to software vendors.
- Reconciled 401(k) employee and employer contributions; uploaded contribution files to John Hancock and verified funding confirmations.
- Managed payroll funding, prepared and approved wire transfers, and ensured benefits funding accuracy.
Manager, Payroll & Equity
Revance Therapeutics
Remote
12.2021 - 07.2023
- Processed biweekly and monthly payroll for 2,300+ employees, ensuring timeliness and compliance.
- Administered equity programs and maintained accurate stock plan records for RSUs, stock options, and ESPP; performed regular audits of grants, vesting, forfeitures, and releases.
- Led and developed payroll and equity staff, improving operational controls and documentation.
Manager, Payroll & Equity
Mirati Therapeutics
San Diego
02.2020 - 12.2021
- Managed multi-state payroll for 400+ employees and administered RSAs, RSUs, and PSUs.
- Maintained equity records in Equity Edge Online; coordinated with E
- TRADE and transfer agent to execute equity transactions.
- Defined scope and success metrics for ADP to Dayforce migration and supported project delivery.
Manager, Payroll & HRIS (Contract)
Harvest Sherwood Food Distributors
National City
02.2019 - 02.2020
- Led ADP to Ceridian Dayforce implementation: requirements gathering, process design, configuration, testing, and go-live support.
- Performed 401(k) reconciliations and PTO accrual reviews; authored process documentation and SOPs to strengthen controls.
Manager, Payroll & Global HRIS (Contract)
Cubic Global Defense
San Diego
07.2018 - 02.2019
- Directed global payroll transformation for ~6,000 employees across multiple regions and managed integration to ADP.
- Led an eight-member cross-functional team through data migration, UAT, issue resolution, end-user training, and SOP development.
Education
High School Diploma -
Equivalent to bachelor's-level education -
Skills
- Global Payroll Operations
- Payroll implementations
- Equity Compensation Administration (ESPP, RSU, RSA, ISOs, PSUs)
- SOX Controls and Compliance
- Payroll Tax Compliance
- Payroll Funding and Bank Wires
- Vendor management
- Process Documentation and SOP Development
- Team leadership
- Payroll Data Migration and Reconciliation
- Payroll and HRIS Platforms: ADP Workforce Now; ADP PCPW; ADP EV5/EV6; Ceridian Dayforce; Paycom; Paylocity; Paychex; Pro Business Payroll; Time Clock Plus; Kronos; UltiPro; Great Plains; NetSuite ERP (Advanced); Oracle; Carta; Equity Edge Online
- Reporting and Tools: ADP Reporting; Crystal Reports; Report Smith; Microsoft Excel (PivotTables); Word; Outlook; PowerPoint
- Benefits Administration
- TRADE; John Hancock; Empower; Concur; HSA administration
- Other: Payroll funding and wire processing; SOX control frameworks; multi-jurisdictional tax compliance; remote team leadership
Accomplishments
- Successfully executed multiple full-cycle HRIS/payroll conversions (ADP, Paycom, Workday, Dayforce) while maintaining uninterrupted payroll delivery.
- Scaled payroll operations to support global headcounts up to 6,000 employees with robust data migration and reconciliation controls.
- Implemented standardized SOPs and process documentation that reduced payroll errors and improved audit readiness.
PROFESSIONAL ATTRIBUTES
- Strategic leader with strong cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Detail-oriented and compliance focused with proven ability to manage competing priorities under tight deadlines.
- Experienced mentor and trainer who builds resilient payroll teams and sustainable processes.
EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS
- Cosmetology License
- ADP Payroll Certified
Timeline
Payroll & HRIS Manager
Maersk
07.2024 - Current
Senior Payroll Manager
Freedom Forever
07.2023 - 07.2024
Manager, Payroll & Equity
Revance Therapeutics
12.2021 - 07.2023
Manager, Payroll & Equity
Mirati Therapeutics
02.2020 - 12.2021
Manager, Payroll & HRIS (Contract)
Harvest Sherwood Food Distributors
02.2019 - 02.2020
Manager, Payroll & Global HRIS (Contract)
Cubic Global Defense
07.2018 - 02.2019