Payroll Director

The Director of Payroll provides strategic and operational leadership for the organization’s payroll function and is accountable for the accurate, timely and compliant payment of employees across all entities and payroll cycles. The Director oversees payroll operations, payroll tax administration, regulatory compliance, internal controls, payroll systems and integrations, reporting and reconciliation, and payroll-related audits. This role leads the payroll team, establishes effective policies and procedures, and partners closely with Human Resources, Benefits, Finance, Accounting, Information Systems and external vendors to maintain a strong control environment, resolve complex payroll matters and continuously improve payroll operations.

MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES/CRITICAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Direct and oversee end-to-end payroll operations for all entities and employee populations, ensuring payroll is processed accurately, timely and in accordance with established payroll calendars, organizational policies and applicable federal, state and local requirements.

Establish and maintain a strong payroll control environment, including appropriate approvals, payroll audits, reconciliations, segregation of duties and documented procedures. Identify areas of payroll risk and ensure issues are investigated, corrected and appropriately escalated.

Ensure compliance with federal, state and local wage and hour, payroll and tax requirements. Monitor regulatory changes impacting payroll and partner with Human Resources, Legal, Finance and other stakeholders to implement required changes.

Oversee payroll tax administration, including tax deposits, filings, reconciliations, agency notices, quarter-end and year-end activities and W-2 reporting. Manage payroll tax vendors and ensure issues are resolved accurately and timely.

Provide functional leadership and governance for payroll and timekeeping systems and related integrations. Partner with Information Systems, Human Resources and vendors to maintain system configuration and data integrity and to manage testing, upgrades, enhancements and implementation of regulatory or operational changes.

Oversee payroll accounting and reconciliation activities, including payroll funding, general ledger interfaces, payroll liability reconciliations, accruals and support for monthly and year-end financial close. Ensure payroll data provided to Finance and Accounting is complete and accurate.

Lead payroll-related internal and external audits and regulatory inquiries. Ensure requested documentation is complete and accurate, address identified findings and oversee implementation of corrective actions.

Develop and lead the payroll team by establishing clear responsibilities, performance expectations and appropriate staffing and cross-training. Provide coaching and development and ensure sufficient coverage and succession planning for critical payroll functions.

Lead continuous improvement of payroll operations by evaluating existing processes and controls, standardizing procedures, eliminating unnecessary manual activity and identifying opportunities for automation and system optimization. Establish and monitor appropriate payroll performance measures, including accuracy, timeliness and service levels.

Manage relationships with payroll, tax, banking and other third-party service providers. Monitor vendor performance and service levels, resolve escalated issues and ensure vendor processes and system changes support the organization’s payroll and compliance requirements.

Serve as the senior payroll subject matter expert and escalation point for complex payroll matters. Partner with Human Resources, Benefits, Compensation, Finance, Accounting, Information Systems and operational leadership on initiatives and decisions that affect employee pay.

Provide payroll reporting and analysis to organizational leadership and other stakeholders. Communicate significant payroll issues, compliance risks, operational trends and recommended corrective actions to senior leadership as appropriate.

Support organizational initiatives that affect payroll, including new programs, changes in compensation or benefit practices, system implementations, organizational restructures, acquisitions or other changes to the workforce or operating structure.

Maintain comprehensive payroll policies, procedures and documentation to support consistent operations, business continuity, audit readiness and knowledge transfer.

Presents Payroll information session at New Hire Orientation sessions.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:  

Minimum of 7 years of progressive payroll experience, including significant payroll leadership and staff management experience. 
Demonstrated experience leading payroll operations in a large, complex, multi-entity and multi-state environment. Healthcare payroll experience strongly preferred. 
Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state and local payroll requirements, wage and hour laws, payroll taxation and payroll accounting principles. 
Strong experience with enterprise payroll and timekeeping systems and integrations with HRIS/HCM and financial systems. Experience with ADP, UKG/Kronos and Oracle preferred. 
Demonstrated experience establishing payroll controls, performing payroll and account reconciliations, supporting audits and managing complex payroll compliance matters. 
Experience leading payroll system implementations, upgrades, integrations, process redesign or other significant payroll transformation initiatives. 
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify payroll risks, determine root causes and develop sustainable solutions. 
Demonstrated ability to lead and develop payroll professionals and effectively manage priorities in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment. 
Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with employees, operational leaders, senior management and cross-functional partners. 
High degree of judgment, discretion and integrity in handling confidential employee and payroll information. 
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and significant payroll experience. 
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification preferred

MANUAL SKILLS:  

Significant portions of daily assignments involve application of manual skills requiring motor coordination in combination with finger dexterity. (e.g., typing, machine operations, administration of routine treatments, injections, etc. or use of hand and/or power tools in various crafts and trades).

PHYSICAL EFFORT:

Duties involve minimal exertion of physical effort.

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT:

Generally pleasant working conditions. Nature of duties performed present little or no potential for job-related accidental injury.