Senior Director, Payroll; M2

Senior Director, Payroll (M2) Save the Children 2022
• Lexington, Kentucky, USA

Save the Children

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 Role

As the Senior Director Payroll you’ll be integral to our work in helping vulnerable children achieve a brighter future. You will have a hands‑on player/coach role 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.

Location

Hybrid Washington DC, Fairfield CT or Lexington KY office locations

* not inclusive of all role responsibilities. May be subject to change

• 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.
• Oversee the payroll help desk along with resolution of complex payroll issues, employee concerns and inquiries, and resolve 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; ensure correction of payment issues prior to closing payroll.
• Ensure accurate and timely processing of timesheets for labor reporting and payroll for all staff.
• 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, procedures and policies.
• Support accounting with closing activities related to staffing costs including month‑end and year‑end close.

• Lead and manage relationships with external payroll vendors, tax providers and third‑party administrators.
• Oversee vendor performance, service‑level agreements (SLAs), issue resolution and continuous improvement.
• Make recommendations and in review and consideration for new payroll platforms, along with acting as subject‑matter expert when systems that interact with payroll platforms…