Director of Payroll

Waterton Corporate Office
222 S Riverside Plz
Chicago, IL 60606, USA

Waterton has grown from very humble beginnings with one phone and two desks to the successful, nationally recognized real estate investment and management firm it is today. As Waterton has evolved and grown, one thing has remained constant - the drive to achieve results by exceeding expectations. For 30 years Waterton remains passionate about delivering an incredible Resident Experience, which we believe is made possible by offering an extraordinary experience for our talented associates.

We value performance that delivers experiences that exceed expectations, coupled with an unwavering commitment to Investor, Guest, and Resident service excellence. Overall, we are a collection of people who strive daily to “find the good and leave it better”.

The Director of Payroll is accountable for the governance, oversight and leadership of all aspects of payroll. This includes working with their team to lead day-to-day payroll and timekeeping operations, providing project management, and supporting payroll tax & accounting and internal/external audit requirements. This role drives continuous improvements in the operational efficiency of payroll through strong leadership and communication, analyzing processes and trends, and leveraging existing and emerging technology.

• Payroll
  • Plan and direct all elements of payroll, including all cash and non-cash compensation processing. Accountable for the financial regulatory integrity of the payroll process.
  • Lead, mentor and develop payroll team responsible for bi-weekly, multi-state payroll. This includes providing professional growth and development opportunities and creating an environment of service, knowledge, and accountability.
  • Establish team goals, objectives, and standards, including measuring progress and providing critical feedback.
  • Direct the compiling, tabulation, and balancing of Federal, FICA, state and unemployment taxes.
  • Ensure compliance in garnishment processing, including reporting and agency interaction.
  • Collaborate with HRIS team to ensure payroll and timekeeping systems and their processes are properly set up and maintained to comply with existing and changing tax, garnishment, all wage and hour federal/state/local guidelines, as well as collectively bargained time and absence provisions.
  • Partner with Operations, Human Resources senior leadership, and Accounting teams to review cross-departmental impacts and implement best practices.
  • Oversee all aspects of payroll accounting, including general ledger posting and balance sheet reconciliations of accrued payroll and tax liabilities, and other miscellaneous as assigned.
  • Partner with HRIS on the configuration of the company timekeeping system.
  • Ensure employee timekeeping training and resources are in place and maintained.
  • Oversight of General Payroll Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); makes and communicates updates as needed.
  • Maintains awareness of current practices in payroll processing and keeps the various departments within the Company informed about changes in all current payroll and tax regulations, laws and policies.
  • Responsible for the accounting and all monthly/quarterly/annual accounting close requirements for payroll.
  • Oversee payroll tax and payroll processing services with third-party outsourcing partners. Ensure compliance with payroll tax filings and related returns, year-end preparation and the issuing of W-2 forms accurately and within established deadlines.
  • Implement and report on key metrics to monitor manage and improve quality and efficiency.
  • Provide reporting on payroll and timekeeping KPIs.
  • Detailed working knowledge and technical mastery of complex compliance and regulatory requirements for multi-state payroll processing.
• Leadership
  • Provide direction, coaching, and mentoring of assigned team member, leading the team to respond to pay, benefit, payroll tax, and compensation inquiries from management, associates, and outside agencies.
  • Lead the development and achievement of team-specific, department, and organizational goals.
  • Leads with and role models a focus on collaboration and…