Senior Director, Payroll; M2

Senior Director, Payroll (M2) – Save the Children US

As the Senior Director, Payroll, you will play a hands‑on player/coach role overseeing all aspects of payroll strategy and operations for U.S. entities, including international expatriates and third‑country nationals working abroad. You will ensure accurate, compliant, and timely payroll processing across the organization and serve as a key strategic partner to HR, 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 support transformational projects involving payroll processes, ensuring regulatory compliance and data security.

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

• Oversee day‑to‑day operations of the payroll team and processes for payroll, payroll tax, wage garnishments, and related transactions for three entities.
• Administer payroll for international expatriates and third‑country nationals working abroad, ensuring accurate international living allowance compensation.
• Ensure pay is transmitted to banks, including international wire payments.
• Assess payroll operations and identify automation or efficiency improvements.
• Collaborate with Benefits on deduction processing, benefits reconciliation, and leave‑related pay impacts.
• Oversee the payroll help desk and resolve complex payroll issues, employee concerns, and inquiries.
• Manage payroll bank reconciliation, payroll general ledger reconciliation, year‑end process, and audit reporting.
• Ensure timely processing of time sheets for labor reporting and payroll for all staff.
• Lead payroll audits and support financial statements and audit reporting.
• Support the annual payroll team budget and forecast payroll‑related expenses.
• Serve as subject matter expert on payroll matters for projects affecting payroll and timekeeping, driving user adoption.
• Build and maintain communication and training for employees.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local tax and payroll regulations, including year‑end W‑2 filings and corrections.
• Produce payroll‑related reporting and maintain internal processes, procedures, and policies.
• Support accounting with month‑end and year‑end close activities related to staffing costs.

• Lead and manage relationships with external payroll vendors, tax providers, and third‑party administrators.
• Oversee vendor performance, SLAs, issue resolution, and continuous improvement.
• Make recommendations for new payroll platforms and act as SME when systems that interact with payroll platforms are considered.
• Support vendor implementations, transitions, and contract negotiations as needed.

• Train, develop, coach, lead, and supervise staff, communicating priorities and impact on mission, fostering diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Provide coaching, performance feedback, and career development opportunities.
• Serve as escalation point for complex payroll matters.
• Lead cross‑functional collaboration in challenging payroll scenarios, maintaining trust.
• Remain current on industry trends related to payroll.

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, plus at least 7 years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience in a supervisory capacity.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local tax regulations related to payroll.
• Experience in multi‑state payrolls, benefit plans, tax compliance and filing requirements, insurance, etc.
• Demonstrated success managing payroll vendors and third‑party providers.
• Experience with time & attendance and payroll software; UKG and Tenrox a plus.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently, with minimal guidance, and manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to act as a payroll subject matter expert.
• Strong understanding of federal and state payroll compliance laws.
• Strategic, lateral thinking and ability to translate findings into pragmatic solutions.
• Critical reasoning and demonstrated ability to solve complex business problems through resourcefulness.
• Professio…