Sr. Director, Payroll Operations

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Payroll Operations Leadership:

  • Provide strategic leadership and direction for payroll operations across all business entities and locations.
  • Ensure timely, accurate, and compliant payroll administration for all employees.
  • Establish and maintain operational standards, governance processes, and service delivery expectations.
  • Serve as the leader responsible for payroll performance, quality, and continuous improvement.
  • Develop long-term payroll strategies that support organizational growth and scalability.

• Compliance, Risk & Governance:

  • Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour laws, payroll tax regulations, garnishments, and reporting requirements.
  • Maintain effective payroll controls designed to minimize financial, operational, and compliance risk.
  • Oversee payroll audits, regulatory reviews, and internal control assessments.
  • Develop and maintain payroll policies, procedures, and governance frameworks.
  • Monitor legislative and regulatory changes and implement operational updates as necessary.

• Payroll Transformation & Process Excellence:

  • Lead enterprise payroll transformation initiatives designed to improve efficiency, scalability, accuracy, and employee experience.
  • Identify opportunities for automation, standardization, and process optimization.
  • Develop future-state payroll operating models that support organizational complexity and growth.
  • Lead business process redesign efforts and drive adoption of best practices.
  • Establish and monitor key performance indicators and service-level standards for payroll operations.

• Technology, Systems & Vendor Management:

  • Evaluate, implement, and optimize payroll technologies, integrations, and supporting systems.
  • Partner with HRIS, Finance, IT, and other stakeholders to enhance payroll system functionality.
  • Lead payroll-related technology projects, upgrades, and implementation efforts.
  • Manage vendor relationships, service agreements, and performance expectations.
  • Develop business cases and recommendations for payroll technology investments and enhancements.

• Strategic Business Partnership:

  • Partner with HR, Finance, Accounting, Legal, Tax, and executive leadership to support business objectives.
  • Provide subject matter expertise related to payroll operations, compensation administration, and compliance matters.
  • Support organizational changes, acquisitions, divestitures, and business integrations from a payroll operations perspective.
  • Partner on the design and implementation of new compensation programs, incentive plans, and commission structures.
  • Serve as the senior escalation point for payroll-related issues, risks, and operational challenges.

• Financial Stewardship & Analytics:

  • Analyze payroll trends, operational metrics, and service performance data.
  • Identify opportunities to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and strengthen operational performance.
  • Create executive-level reporting and dashboards that support business decision-making.
  • Utilize data and analytics to drive operational improvements and resource planning.

• People Leadership & Talent Development:

  • Lead, coach, and develop payroll leaders and team members.
  • Build organizational capabilities that support future growth and succession planning.
  • Promote a culture of accountability, customer service, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
  • Establish performance expectations and support professional development initiatives.

• Mergers, Acquisitions & Growth Enablement:

  • Lead payroll due diligence activities associated with mergers, acquisitions, and business integrations.
  • Assess payroll operational risks and integration requirements during transactions.
  • Develop payroll integration strategies and transition plans.
  • Ensure successful onboarding of acquired entities into payroll systems, controls, and processes.
  • Establish scalable payroll solutions capable of supporting future expansion and organizational growth.

What You'll Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, or related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
• 10+ years of progressive payroll leadership experience, including management of multi-state payroll operations.
• 5+ years of experience leading large-scale payroll teams.
• Experience overseeing payroll operations for complex, multi-entity or multi-state organizations.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll laws, wage and hour regulations, payroll taxation, garnishments, and compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated success leading payroll transformation, technology implementations, process redesign, or operational improvement initiatives.
• Experience building scalable operating models, governance frameworks, and internal control environments.
• Strong financial acumen and ability to assess operational investments, staffing models, and business impacts.
• Proven ability to influence executive leadership and drive cross-functional alignment.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and strategic planning capabilities.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to translate complex operational issues into business-focused recommendations.
• Experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, integrations, or organizational growth initiatives preferred.
• CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) certification desired.