Director of Payroll

Overview

We are seeking a confident, hands-on Director of Payroll to lead a lean, high-impact payroll function supporting approximately 6,000 employees across multiple states and pay structures. This leader will combine strategic vision with operational execution, ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely payroll while strengthening processes, systems, and team capability. The ideal candidate is a steady, credible leader who thrives in fast-paced environments, is willing to work alongside their team to solve complex payroll challenges, and can build sustainable processes that reduce fire-drill situations over time.

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for all payroll functions, ensuring accurate and compliant payroll processing across multiple pay schedules and compensation types (including tips, commissions, and executive compensation programs).
• Manage and develop a small, high-performing payroll team of four, fostering accountability, cross-training, and operational excellence.
• Serve as a hands-on leader willing to step into day-to-day payroll operations when needed, particularly during peak cycles or system/process challenges.
• Oversee multi-state payroll tax compliance, reporting, and audits.
• Partner with Finance, HR, and executive leadership to improve payroll processes, reporting, controls, and scalability.
• Lead payroll system optimization and integrations; support transitions or enhancements involving enterprise HRIS/payroll platforms.
• Establish strong internal controls and governance practices to ensure data accuracy, confidentiality, and regulatory compliance.
• Drive process improvements and automation initiatives to increase efficiency and reduce manual work or after-hours issue resolution.
• Provide executive-level reporting and insights related to payroll costs, trends, and risks.

• Bachelor's degree required
• Current or recent experience as a Director or Senior Manager of Payroll overseeing complex payroll operations.
• Demonstrated leadership of small, lean payroll teams with a strong coaching and development mindset.
• Deep expertise in multi-state payroll tax regulations and compliance.
• Experience handling diverse pay types, including hourly, salaried, commissions, tips, bonuses, and equity/stock-based compensation.
• Proven ability to lead through change, system transitions, or process transformations.
• Strong executive presence with the courage, confidence, and decisiveness required to lead critical business functions.
• Must be able to work fully on-site (no remote option).

• Experience processing payroll using SAP Success Factors and/or ADP (preferred but not required).
• Prior involvement in payroll system migrations or implementations (e.g., Workday or similar platforms).
• Track record of creating scalable processes that reduce manual intervention and overtime demands.
• Demonstrated career stability and progression reflecting long-term impact and leadership growth.