Payroll Director

Description

• Maintain accountability for year-end payroll tax reporting and filings (e.g., W-2s, W-3s, state equivalents).
• Develop creative solutions while maintaining compliance and operational integrity.
• Apply disciplined project management practices to drive initiatives from concept through execution.
• Partner with HR, IT, Finance, and external vendors to ensure seamless payroll operations.
• Monitor regulatory changes and proactively assess impacts to payroll processes and controls.
• Ensure strong internal controls, documentation, and audit readiness across all payroll activities.
• Foster a collaborative environment where expertise is respected and knowledge is shared.
• Effectively manage and collaborate with a highly experienced Union Payroll Manager who serves as the organization’s union payroll expert.
• Provide guidance, structure, and prioritization without micromanaging a capable team.
• Identify inefficiencies, risks, or manual processes and design practical, scalable improvements.
• Partner closely with the Controller and Finance leadership on payroll strategy, risk management, and continuous improvement.
• Provide overall leadership and direction for the payroll function, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing across 30+ states.
• Serve as the primary project leader for payroll-related initiatives, including the evaluation and potential implementation of more digital and modern timekeeping solutions.
• Communicate clearly with stakeholders, translating complex payroll topics into understandable guidance.
• Support HR initiatives related to compensation, benefits, and timekeeping from a payroll perspective.
• Serve as the department’s senior payroll authority and escalation point for complex payroll matters.
• Own all payroll compliance activities, including federal, state, and local payroll tax requirements.
• Lead, coach, and mentor the Assistant Payroll Manager with the explicit goal of developing future leadership capability.
• Oversee outsourced payroll tax providers, ensuring service quality, accuracy, and compliance.

Requirements

• Prior experience in a Payroll Director, Senior Payroll Manager, or similar leadership role.
• High degree of professionalism, sound judgment, and emotional intelligence.
• Experience with payroll system implementations or timekeeping modernization initiatives.
• Proven ability to lead teams and develop individuals with varying levels of experience and autonomy.
• Demonstrated expertise in payroll compliance, controls, and year-end reporting.
• Compliance-First Mindset: Naturally prioritizes accuracy, controls, and regulatory adherence.
• Prior experience overseeing or working with outsourced payroll
• Strong project management skills, with a track record of successfully executing process improvements or system changes.
• Clear Communicator: Comfortable engaging with leadership, vendors, and cross-functional partners.
• Strategic Thinker: Able to see beyond day-to-day processing and improve the function holistically.
• Experience supporting complex organizations with multiple states and employee populations.
• Mature Leadership Style: Calm under pressure, balanced sense of urgency, and steady decision-making.
• Familiarity with union payroll environments (not required; strong internal expertise already exists).
• Extensive payroll experience (typically 12+ years), with deep technical knowledge of multi-state payroll and payroll tax compliance.

Benefits

• Mentor & Developer: Invested in developing future payroll leaders.

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance