Senior Director, Payroll; M2

Hybrid-Lexington, KY
800 Corporate Dr.
Lexington, KY 40503, USA

As the world changes, our mission stays the same. At Save the Children, you’ll join a century-long legacy of integrity, accountability, and commitment to children. We value your curiosity and drive to learn, which is why we invest in your growth and empower you to innovate, collaborate, and create lasting impact for children. Together, we’re building a culture of belonging that shapes a better future—for children and for each other.

The Senior Director of Payroll is a hands on, player/coach role within Save the Children, overseeing all aspects of payroll strategy and operations for entities within the United States, including international expatriates and third-country nationals working abroad.

Reporting to the Head of HR Operations and Employee Experience, you will ensure accurate, compliant, and timely payroll processing across the organization and serve as a key strategic partner to Human Resources, HRIS, Finance, and IT. You will lead the internal payroll team and manage external payroll vendors to deliver scalable, high-quality payroll services aligned with business objectives. You will be responsible for ensuring that Agency transformational projects that involve the payroll processes conform to regulatory and policy requirements while maximizing technical efficiencies and keeping data secure.

Hybrid– Washington DC, Fairfield, CT or Lexington, KY office locations

• Oversee day-to-day operations of the payroll team and processes associated with payroll, payroll tax, wage garnishments, and related transactions for three entities.
• Administer payroll for international expatriates and third country nationals working abroad including ensuring that international living allowance compensation is complete and accurate.
• Ensure pay is completely and accurately transmitted to banks as required including international wire payments.
• Assess payroll-related operations and identify areas to incorporate automation or improve efficiencies.
• Collaborate closely with Benefits team on deduction processing, benefits reconciliation, and leave related pay impacts.
• Serve as the payroll subject matter expert for federal, state, and local paid leave programs, including Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML), state disability insurance programs, paid sick leave requirements, and wage replacement benefits. Partner with Benefits, HR, and leave administrators to ensure accurate employee payments, deductions, tax treatment, reporting, and regulatory compliance.
• Oversee the payroll help desk along with resolution of complex payroll issues, employee concerns and inquiries and resolves errors related to payroll processing, deductions, or special pays.
• Manage payroll to banks’ reconciliation processes, payroll general ledger reconciliation, payroll year end process, and review of audit reports and inquiries; ensures correction of payment issues prior to closing payroll.
• Lead payroll audits, support financial statements and all prepare reporting and information for audits involving payroll.
• Support and monitor the annual payroll team budget, working with leadership to forecast payroll-related expenses.
• Serve as subject matter expert in payroll related matters on all projects that impact payroll and timekeeping and lead change management activities to drive user adoption.
• Build and maintain communication and training for employees.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements for federal, state, and local tax and payroll regulations, including year-end W-2 filings and corrections.
• Produce relevant payroll-related reporting and manage maintenance of all payroll/timekeeping internal processes,…