The
Sr. Director, Payroll Operations serves as the functional leader for payroll operations and is responsible for developing scalable processes, strengthening operational controls, optimizing technology solutions, managing vendor relationships, and leading payroll transformation initiatives. This role balances strategic leadership with operational oversight to ensure payroll services support employee experience, business objectives, and regulatory compliance.
What You'll Do: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.
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