From FBI Dreams to HR Excellence: Mariah Hantis on Global Payroll, Compliance, and Career Growth at Deel

Global payroll isn’t just cutting checks—it’s a minefield of compliance, cultural nuances, and ever-changing regulations. Mariah Hantis, Senior Director of Global People Operations at Deel, unpacks her journey from aspiring FBI agent to HR leader. From payroll anxiety to AI-driven solutions, she shares the realities of managing 5,000 employees across 110 countries. In this episode, we look at HR, global payroll, compliance, people operations, payroll management, employee benefits, onboarding, international HR, career path, workforce management, payroll processing, open enrollment, insurance communication, AI in payroll, career development, HR challenges, and workplace culture. Key Takeaways Managing global payroll for 5,000 employees across 110 countries requires compliance expertise and local knowledge. US payroll is uniquely challenging due to intricate state-level regulations. Expanding into new countries demands thorough compliance research to avoid risks. California’s HR regulations stand out as particularly complex. Mariah’s teaching background enhances her HR approach, focusing on diverse learning styles. AI tools streamline payroll processes but still require human oversight. Communication during open enrollment is critical for employee engagement and understanding. Insurance complexities highlight the need for transparent, effective benefits communication. Payroll accuracy is non-negotiable—mistakes erode trust and create significant issues. Career paths in HR can be non-linear; Mariah transitioned from education to B2B marketing and payroll. Employee needs and cultural nuances shape benefits and workplace strategies. Future HR innovation will hinge on adapting to AI and evolving global workplace trends. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Practitioner Corner Podcast 05:57 Understanding Global Payroll vs. Domestic Payroll 12:01 The Journey into HR: Mariah's Career Path 18:05 Transitioning from Education to B2B Marketing 24:52 Navigating Payroll Challenges and Human Errors 30:03 The Complexity of Insurance and Employee Communication 35:40 Career Reflections and Future Aspirations This episode features Mariah Hantis, Sr. Director, Global Operations, Payroll, and Benefits @ Deel. You can connect with Mariah here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mhantis/ Learn more about Deel, a Global People Platform that simplifies the way you onboard, offboard, and everything else in between. Connect with WRKdefined on Your Favorite Social Network William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/ Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/ The Site | Substack | LinkedIn | Instagram | X | Facebook | TikTok Share your brand across the WRKdefined Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices