Manager, Payroll & Benefits Services Americas

Would you like to join a global, growing company that innovates for a more sustainable tomorrow? UPM could be the team for you. We are frontrunners in developing renewable alternatives to fossil-based materials. Besides enabling both businesses and consumers make more sustainable choices, we strive to create a positive UPM experience for all our employees around the world. We live by our values – trust and be trusted, achieve together, renew with courage. Together we can renew the everyday, for a future beyond fossils! 

Learn more about us as a workplace upm.com/careers

Would you like to join a global, growing company that innovates for a more sustainable tomorrow? UPM could be the team for you. We are frontrunners in developing renewable alternatives to fossil-based materials. Besides enabling both businesses and consumers make more sustainable choices, we strive to create a positive UPM experience for all our employees around the world. We live by our values – trust and be trusted, achieve together, renew with courage. Together we can renew the everyday, for a future beyond fossils! 

UPM’s HR function is looking for a Manager, Payroll & Benefits Services responsible for both in-house and outsourced payroll operations in the Americas region as well as for employee benefit programs in the USA and Canada.  The preferred location for this position is Naperville, Illinois. Fully remote, home office based is an alternative location which would be considered for the right candidate.

Greetings from your future manager

In this role you will be part of an experienced and engaged community of HR service professionals globally. We work together by bringing together both local and global perspectives and aim at developing our service and ourselves. That will keep you busy as a key member of our truly international team. Nina Roos, Director, Global Payroll 

What you will do

• Manage, develop and resource both in-house and outsourced payroll operations in the Americas region.  The Americas region currently includes payroll operations in Canada, the USA, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay. 

• Oversee the management, administration and compliance of employee benefits programs in the USA and Canada

• Manage a team of Payroll, Time and Benefits Specialists as well as external HR vendors to ensure accurate, timely payments and administration in accordance with applicable legislation and company standards, policies and guidelines.

• Contribute to the planning and development of Global payroll and benefit related services and ensure projects, development initiatives, and roll-out of new or revised processes are implemented in Americas area. 

• Manage payroll and benefits stakeholders, communication and coordination within all levels of the organization

• Contribute to operational payroll and benefits responsibilities, including tasks relating to expatriate payroll, reward systems and representing the company in front of auditors, agencies, and authorities for relevant countries

• Support UPM businesses e.g. M&A, international expansion and organizational changes

Who you are

• You have a bachelor’s degree in HR, finance or related field or equivalent experience

• You have extensive experience leading a payroll and benefits team in an international, multi-country context.  This experience ideally includes both in-house and outsourced payroll operations as well as administering employee benefits programs

• You have professional knowledge of payroll and benefits practices and requirements.  This includes experience in ensuring payroll and benefits compliance with applicable regulations while maintaining audit readiness and minimizing risk

• You are familiar with payroll, time management, benefits and HR technologies (such as Workday, reporting tools) as well as standard Office package tools

• You have good interpersonal and communication skills, you are a good leader and collaborative partner at all levels

• You are organized and ensure high standards and integrity

• You are fluent in English.  Fluency in Spanish is a plus.

This is what we offer to you

• A meaningful job – We have an inspiring purpose ‘We create a future beyond fossils.’ Our work is impactful and transformative.

• A caring community – Our community is built on great team spirit and shared commitment. We care about each other and the well-being of our colleagues. We support the work-life balance of all our employees.

• Development opportunities – We offer you great opportunities to learn and grow throughout your career. We are an international, multi-business organization offering plenty of avenues for personal growth.

• Responsible employer - Sustainability is at the core of everything we do. We are committed to ambitious, science-based sustainability targets in all areas from climate change to biodiversity. We foster diversity and inclusivity, offering a work environment in which everyone can be themselves.

• Comprehensive benefit package: UPM’s benefit package includes medical, dental and vision insurance, paid time off and a 401(k)-retirement plan.

Learn about our Rewarding and our Ways of working.

Salary range: 122,145 to 165,255 USD / year based on qualifications and experience  

UPM offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes the following:  

• Health insurance: comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans  

• Other insurances: disability coverage, life, and AD&D insurance  

• Retirement plan: 401(k) with company match and employer retirement contribution  

• Paid time off: 15 days of paid time off plus 13 company holidays   

• Bonus: annual performance-based short-term incentive plan  

• Other: professional development opportunities  

Additional information

Location: the preferred location for this position is Naperville (in hybrid mode), Illinois. 

Fully remote, home office based is an alternative location.

For additional information about the content of the role, please contact the recruiting manager Nina Roos, Director, Global Payroll at [email protected] or by tel. +358505779277.

Please apply and attach your CV and Cover Letter by February 10th, 2026. Please note that we will go through the applications already during the application period and may invite candidates for interviews already before the end of the application period. 

For support with submitting your application, please contact the HR Service Center through the UPM Service Portal [LINK] or tel. +358204146600.

This job description is intended to be a guide, and is not intended to be a contract of employment, explicit or implicit. All contents are subject to change at the sole discretion of the company. Cooperation is expected of all employees.  Other responsibilities may be assigned as needed.

Only candidates authorized to work within the United States without sponsorship will be considered.

UPM North America is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

UPM is a material solutions company, renewing products and entire value chains with an extensive portfolio of renewable fibres, advanced materials, decarbonization solutions, and communication papers. Our performance in sustainability has been recognized by third parties, including EcoVadis and the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. We operate globally and employ approximately 15,800 people worldwide, with annual sales of approximately €10.3 billion. Our shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd.

UPM – we renew the everyday

Read more: upm.com

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