Director of Payroll

The History of Foley Family Wines & Spirits

In spring of 1996, Bill & Carol Foley purchased 1,000 acres of lush and fertile earth within the then relatively unknown Sta. Rita Hills region of Santa Barbara County. Their plan – produce hand‑crafted Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that reflected the best of California’s Central Coast. Named for their two daughters – Lindsey & Courtney – Lincourt Vineyards was born, and with it, the beginning of Foley Family Wines & Spirits.

In the 25 years since, Foley Family Wines & Spirits has grown into one of the world’s largest producers of fine wine, adding some of the industry’s most valuable wineries, located in the most recognized winemaking regions, including Napa, Sonoma, the Pacific Northwest, and New Zealand. Today, the Foley Family Wines & Spirits portfolio boasts a number of the most‑celebrated names in wine, including Chalk Hill Estate, Chalone, Ferrari‑Carano, and Sebastiani.

The Director of Payroll is responsible for overseeing all payroll operations for approximately 700 employees across multiple states and entities. This role ensures accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing while driving process improvements, system optimization, and adherence to federal, state, and local regulations. The ideal candidate has advanced knowledge of California and multi‑state payroll regulations, is a Certified Payroll Specialist, experienced in system implementations, and excels in high‑volume, continuous improvement settings.

The Director will lead a team, collaborate with HR, Finance, and external partners and serve as the subject matter expert for payroll strategy and compliance.

Hybrid role: M & F remote optional, Tues - Thursday onsite.

• Oversee end‑to‑end payroll processing for multiple entities and jurisdictions, including commissions and incentives.
• Review and approve monthly payroll entries provided to the accounting team for GL entry.
• Review and approve payroll journals and accruals ensuring all payroll transactions are accurate and compliant with company and government regulations.
• Manage PVL accruals: overseeing the accrual and usage of Paid Time off for Employees.
• Manage monthly workers comp accruals.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local tax regulations, wage and hour laws, and company policies.
• Conduct ongoing internal audits of payroll processes, tax filings, rates, accruals, and controls to proactively identify risks and ensure audit‑ready compliance.
• Oversee payroll tax filings and year‑end reporting (W‑2, 1099, etc.).
• Maintain internal controls and lead and coordinate internal and external audits.
• Occasional travel to Washington and/or Nevada.

• Lead and develop the payroll team, providing guidance, training, and performance management.
• Foster a culture of accuracy, accountability, and continuous improvement.

• Develop and execute payroll strategy aligned with organizational goals.
• Identify and implement cost‑saving opportunities in payroll operations.
• Evaluate and manage payroll vendors and service providers for optimal performance and cost efficiency.
• Partner with HR and Finance leadership to ensure payroll supports workforce planning and budgeting initiatives.
• Drive automation and digital transformation initiatives to enhance payroll accuracy and scalability.
• Monitor legislative changes and proactively adjust payroll policies and systems to maintain compliance.
• Lead payroll integration during mergers and acquisitions (M&A), including harmonizing systems, consolidating processes, and ensuring compliance for acquired employees.
• Develop transition plans for onboarding employees from acquired entities and align payroll practices with corporate standards.
• Serve as the escalation point for complex payroll issues.

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to follow through on projects with minimal supervision.
• Strong written and oral communication skills; attention to details and responsiveness.
• High level of integrity and discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Interact effectively and…