Director, Payroll

Cosm is a global technology company that brings experiences to life in immersive environments. We help our partners create spaces and content that blur the lines of real and virtual across three primary markets:
Sports and Entertainment, Science and Education, and Parks and Attractions. Cosm was born from the fusion of some of the greatest innovators in the history of technology. Evans & Sutherland, Spitz, Inc., and Cosm Immersive combined forces to power the immersive experiences of the future as Cosm. Innovation is in our DNA.

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We are looking for an experienced Director of Payroll to lead payroll operations across our growing, multi-state organization. This leader will be accountable for building, managing, and scaling a best-in-class payroll function that supports Cosm’s rapid growth and complex operations, including our venue-based (“four-wall”) businesses. The ideal candidate brings deep knowledge of California payroll laws, has scaled payroll processes across multiple states, and thrives in fast-paced, high-growth environments.

• Lead and oversee payroll operations for all U.S. & International employees, with an emphasis on compliance, accuracy, and efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local payroll and wage-and-hour regulations, with expert knowledge of California requirements.
• Design, implement, and scale payroll processes that support high-volume, hourly, and salaried employee populations across multiple venues and corporate functions.
• Partner closely with Finance, Human Resources & Venue operations to align payroll with business needs, labor models, and venue schedules.
• Manage relationships with payroll vendors and technology platforms, driving automation and system improvements.
• Oversee tax reporting, garnishments, and benefits-related deductions.
• Develop and track KPIs for payroll operations, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and high employee satisfaction.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, providing insights on payroll trends, compliance risks, and labor cost optimization.
• Lead, mentor, and develop payroll team members to support company-wide growth.

• 15+ years of progressive payroll experience, including 5+ years of leadership experience of a payroll function at scale.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Finance preferred
• Proven background in four-wall businesses (e.g., entertainment, hospitality, retail, or venue-based operations) with large, hourly employee populations.
• Deep expertise in California payroll laws (meal/rest break compliance, split-shift rules, overtime, wage statements, etc.) with proven success managing compliance at scale.
• Experience supporting multi-state payroll, ideally across large, complex organizations.
• Strong excel and systems knowledge. Experience with Ceridian Dayforce a plus.
• Exceptional attention to detail, process discipline, and ability to work under tight deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to partner effectively with senior executives, operations leaders, and employees across the business.
• CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) certification preferred.

The annualized base salary range for this position in California is $165,000- $200,000. The base salary offered will factor in internal equity and may also vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and relevant experience, among other factors.

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age at the time of employment. This requirement is in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local labor laws. Cosm is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.