COMMUNITY NAMECommunity Support Office
Job IDJOB OVERVIEWThe Director Payroll Services provides enterprise-level leadership for payroll strategy, operations and compliance across Sunrise's U.S. and Canadian locations while mentoring and developing a high-performing payroll team and serving as the most senior escalation point for complex payroll and compliance matters. This role oversees the execution of all payroll services, ensuring accurate, timely and compliant payroll delivery while driving innovation, automation and scalability within payroll systems and processes. The role also partners with senior leaders in Human Resources (HR), Finance, Legal, Information Technology (IT) and Operations to align payroll initiatives with organizational strategy, manage compliance risk and deliver a best-in-class experience for Sunrise team members. In addition, this role leads cross-functional initiatives related to system enhancements, process transformation, audits and organizational growth, including M&A activity.
RESPONSIBILITIES & QUALIFICATIONSEssential DutiesAs a part of the Sunrise team, supporting our Mission, Principles of Service and Core Values is a fundamental part of this job. Our foundational belief is the sacred value of human life. The unique responsibilities for this role include but are not limited to the essential functions listed as follows:
- Lead enterprise-wide payroll strategy, including transformation initiatives that improve scalability, automation and cost-efficiency
- Provide strategic direction and oversight of payroll operations across the U.S. and Canada, ensuring timely and accurate processing for a large, multi-state/provincial workforce
- Oversee payroll compliance and risk management, ensuring adherence to all applicable tax laws, wage and hour regulations and internal controls
- Lead all payroll-related audit activities, including internal audits, SOX compliance and financial reporting audits, ensuring controls are documented, tested and refined as needed
- Drive the optimization and continuous improvement of payroll systems, particularly Workday Payroll and Time Tracking, collaborating closely with IT and HRIS to enhance functionality and system integration
- Lead cross-functional collaboration with HR, Legal, Finance and Operations to support complex organizational priorities, such as M&A integrations, workforce changes and policy updates
- Oversee payroll-related month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities, including journal entries, reconciliations, and financial analytics
- Develop and maintain payroll-related KPIs and service level agreements (SLAs), ensuring a consistent, high-quality team member experience across all communities
- Guide the development and implementation of standardized payroll policies, procedures and internal documentation to support audit readiness and regulatory compliance
- Serve as the senior escalation point for complex payroll matters and inquiries, ensuring rapid, accurate resolution and continuous process improvement
- Mentor and coach the payroll leadership team and staff, supporting career development, team engagement and professional growth
- Maintain compliance in assigned required training and all training required by state/province or other regulating authorities as applicable to this role to ensure that Sunrise standards are always met
- Perform other duties as assigned
Core Competencies- Proven leadership in payroll operations with the ability to drive large-scale transformation, system optimization and operational efficiency
- Deep knowledge of complex payroll compliance requirements, including multi-state/provincial taxation, wage and hour laws and payroll accounting practices
- Demonstrated expertise in Workday's enterprise-level payroll system, with experience leading implementations and enhancements
- Highly developed cross-functional collaboration and influencing skills, with the ability to build consensus and drive change across departments
- Strategic thinking and analytical rigor to develop and implement scalable payroll solutions that align with long-term business goals
- Exceptional leadership and team development skills to foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability and service excellence
Experience and QualificationsTo perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed throughout this job description are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required.
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance or a related field required; advanced degree preferred
- Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) or Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) strongly preferred
- Workday Payroll and Time Tracking experience required; Workday implementation experience strongly preferred
- Demonstrated advanced proficiency in Excel (e.g., pivot tables, XLOOKUPs, macros, etc.) with at least intermediate level proficiency in other Microsoft Office suite applications
- Minimum of 10 years of progressive payroll experience leading payroll operations for a large, multi-entity organization, with hands-on expertise in U.S. and Canadian payroll for exempt and non-exempt employees, payroll taxes, and relevant payroll accounting
- Minimum of 5 years of people leadership experience, including oversight of small- to mid-sized teams and leadership of managers or supervisors
- Experience leading or supporting M&A activities, payroll process transformation and internal/external audits
- Demonstrated project management experience, including the ability to manage project plans, dependencies, critical path activities and milestones
- Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities in a dynamic, growth-oriented environment while ensuring accuracy and compliance
We also offer benefits and other compensation that include:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, and Disability Plans
- Retirement Savings Plans
- Employee Assistant Program / Discount Program
- Paid time off (PTO), sick time, and holiday pay
- myFlexPay offered to get paid within hours of a shift
- Tuition Reimbursement
- In addition to base compensation, Sunrise may offer discretionary and/or non-discretionary bonuses. The eligibility to receive such a bonus will depend on the employee's position, plan/program offered by Sunrise at the time, and required performance pursuant to the plan/program.
- Some benefits have eligibility requirements
COMPENSATION DISCLAIMERSelected candidates will be offered competitive compensation based on geographic location of community/office, skills, experience, qualifications, and certifications/licenses (where applicable).
