Director, Payroll

ATSG is a leading provider of air cargo transportation and related services.

Our customers are domestic and foreign air carriers and other companies that outsource their air cargo lift requirements. We, through our leasing and airline subsidiaries, are the world's largest owner and operator of converted Boeing 767 freighter aircraft.

Through our principal subsidiaries, including three airlines with separate and distinct U.S. FAA Part 121 Air Carrier certificates, we provide aircraft leasing, air cargo lift, passenger ACMI and charter services, aircraft maintenance services and airport ground services.

Position Summary

The Director of Payroll is responsible for ensuring accurate, timely, compliant, and efficient payroll administration for a diverse, geographically dispersed workforce. The Director will establish consistent payroll standards, strengthen internal controls, optimize payroll systems and processes, and serve as a trusted partner to Accounting/Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, and operating company leadership.

The successful candidate will combine deep technical payroll expertise with strong leadership, analytical capabilities, and a continuous improvement mindset. This individual will play a key role in advancing ATSG's payroll operations while maintaining service excellence, regulatory compliance, and financial integrity.

Key Responsibilities

Enterprise Payroll Leadership and Operations

• Direct and oversee payroll operations across ATSG and its operating companies, ensuring accurate and timely processing for all employees.
• Establish enterprise-wide payroll policies, procedures, service standards, and operating practices while accommodating legitimate business-unit and jurisdictional requirements.
• Provide oversight of payroll processing, adjustments, deductions, garnishments, special payments, and off-cycle payroll activities.
• Ensure appropriate administration of varied pay structures, including salaried, hourly, shift differentials, overtime, incentive compensation, and other applicable earnings arrangements.
• Partner with operating company leaders to address business-specific payroll requirements while promoting consistency and operational efficiency

Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local payroll, wage and hour, tax withholding, reporting, and recordkeeping requirements.
• Oversee payroll tax administration, including accurate and timely deposits, filings, reconciliations, and year-end reporting.
• Maintain effective controls related to payroll authorization, processing, data integrity, and financial reporting.
• Partner with Legal, Human Resources, and Finance to evaluate payroll implications of regulatory changes, compensation programs, employment policies, and organizational initiatives.
• Support internal and external audits, including the development and implementation of corrective actions when necessary.
• Maintain appropriate safeguards for confidential employee and financial information.
• Ensure compliance with applicable collective bargaining agreements and other specialized pay requirements where relevant.

Payroll Systems, Technology, and Process Improvement

• Provide functional leadership for payroll technology, systems, integrations, and related process improvements.
• Collaborate with HRIS, IT, Finance, and operating company stakeholders to maintain accurate employee data and effective information flow across systems.
• Identify opportunities to standardize, automate, and streamline payroll processes to improve accuracy, efficiency, and the employee experience.
• Lead or support system enhancements, implementations, upgrades, testing, and optimization initiatives.
• Evaluate payroll workflows, reporting capabilities, and internal controls to identify gaps, risks, and improvement opportunities.
• Establish appropriate documentation, cross-training, and business continuity procedures to support uninterrupted payroll operations.

Financial Controls, Reporting, and Reconciliation

• Partner with Accounting and Finance to ensure accurate payroll accounting, general ledger reconciliation, and financial reporting.
• Oversee payroll-related reconciliations, including wage payments, taxes, benefits deductions, accruals, and other payroll liabilities.
• Support financial close activities, annual audits, budgeting, forecasting, and payroll-related financial analysis.

Leadership and Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Lead, develop, and support payroll team members, fostering a culture of…