Position SummaryThe Director of Payroll Services provides strategic and operational leadership for the delivery of payroll services to Payroll4Construction clients. This role is accountable for the accuracy, timeliness, compliance, and overall quality of payroll operations while ensuring the department can scale to meet evolving client needs and business growth. The Director brings a strong understanding of construction-specific payroll requirements and translates that expertise into effective processes, controls, service standards, and operational strategies.
This role is responsible for building and developing a high-performing team, establishing performance expectations and accountability, and driving continuous improvement through process standardization, automation, and technology adoption. As a senior leader, the Director partners cross-functionally to strengthen client onboarding, service delivery, regulatory readiness, and the overall client experience while serving as the senior escalation point for complex payroll matters. Through strategic planning, data-driven decision-making, and a focus on operational excellence, the Director ensures Payroll4Construction delivers reliable, compliant, and scalable payroll services that support both its clients and the organization's long-term objectives.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities- Provide strategic leadership and oversight of the Payroll Tax function and its various subteams, as well as the Payroll Implementation and Onboarding team, ensuring alignment, accountability, and consistent delivery across the client lifecycle.
- Establish and execute departmental strategy, ensuring operational capabilities, staffing, and resources support organizational objectives, client growth, and seasonal demands within the construction industry.
- Oversee payroll tax operations, ensuring accurate and timely tax payments, agency filings, and compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
- Monitor and assess legislative and regulatory changes, evaluate business impact and compliance risks, and advise senior leadership on required changes, mitigation strategies, and operational readiness.
- Establish and oversee departmental policies, internal controls, audit readiness, and governance practices, including SOC 1 support where applicable, to ensure compliance, accuracy, and consistency.
- Define and manage departmental KPIs, including filing accuracy, on-time performance, error rates, implementation timelines, client satisfaction, and team productivity; use performance trends to drive accountability and continuous improvement.
- Lead process standardization, automation, and operational improvement initiatives across Payroll Tax and Implementation to increase efficiency, strengthen controls, improve the client experience, and support scalability.
- Partner with Product, IT, and supporting departments to drive software enhancements, integrations, testing, and process improvements that strengthen payroll operations and implementation effectiveness.
- Serve as the senior escalation point for complex client payroll and tax issues, agency matters, implementation challenges, and service recovery, ensuring effective resolution, risk mitigation, and clear communication.
- Oversee client onboarding and implementation strategy, including payroll setup, data conversion, parallel runs, training coordination, and operational readiness, ensuring a seamless transition from implementation to ongoing service delivery.
- Partner with Sales and Customer Success on service scoping, renewals, and expansion opportunities while advising clients on payroll tax compliance, payroll setup, and labor reporting best practices.
- Develop and execute comprehensive training and education strategies for Payroll Tax, its supporting sub-teams, and Implementation, ensuring ongoing readiness for regulatory changes, process updates, technology enhancements, and evolving client needs.
- Lead talent strategy and organizational development across Payroll Tax and Implementation, including hiring, leadership development, performance management, succession planning, and capacity planning; foster a culture of accuracy, accountability, collaboration, and client focus.
- Collaborate with senior leadership and cross-functional partners to identify and present strategic solutions that improve compliance, implementation outcomes, service delivery, operational effectiveness, and long-term business performance.
- Lead strategic departmental initiatives and special projects aligned with organizational priorities and perform other duties as assigned.
Required Skills and Experience- Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance or a related field, or equivalent experience.
- 7-10+ years of progressive payroll experience, including 5+ years managing payroll teams.
- Hands-on experience with construction payroll: certified payroll, state prevailing wage, & union payroll.
- Knowledge of federal, state, & local payroll tax & wage-and-hour laws, including multi-state withholding.
- Experience in a payroll service bureau, PEO, or multi-client processing environment.
- Proficiency with payroll and ERP systems and advanced Excel skills.
Preferred- Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation from PayrollOrg.
- Experience with construction accounting software (e.g., Foundation, Viewpoint, Sage).
- Knowledge of union fringe benefit reporting and trust fund remittance.
- Track record of leading process automation or system implementation projects.
Skills and competencies- Operational Excellence and Risk Management: Establishes a culture of accuracy & accountability by implementing robust controls, proactively identifying risks, & driving continuous improvement across payroll tax operations.
- Regulatory Expertise and Strategic Judgment: Applies deep knowledge of payroll tax regulations and complex compliance requirements to guide departmental strategy, mitigate risk, & inform business decisions.
- Strategic Leadership & Talent Development: Builds and develops high-performing teams, empowers leaders, establishes clear performance expectations, and drives accountability for departmental results.
- Client Relationship & Service Leadership: Champions a client-centric approach, builds trust with stakeholders at all levels, and ensures timely resolution of complex issues while strengthening client satisfaction & retention.
- Data-Driven Decision-Making: Leverages KPIs, operational trends, & root-cause analysis to evaluate performance, identify opportunities, & drive measurable improvements in quality, efficiency, & scalability.
- Strategic Planning & Execution: Balances competing operational priorities, regulatory deadlines, resource demands, & strategic initiatives while ensuring consistent service delivery and achievement of business objectives.
- Integrity and Confidentiality: Demonstrates sound judgment and discretion in managing sensitive client, employee, financial, and tax information while upholding organizational policies and regulatory obligations.
