Director of Payroll

Reporting to the Vice President and Corporate Controller (VP Controller) of Brown University Health this role leads the Payroll Operations team in planning, organizing, and directing all activities necessary to ensure the integrity and optimization of the payroll processing system. The Director ensures that established workflows are maintained to support an auditable environment, produce accurate payroll, and build and sustain a service model and team capable of providing payroll processing support to management and operational users.

This position also serves as a key communication link among Finance, Human Resources (HR), and Information Technology, aligning operational and system needs.

A core responsibility of this role is to build and lead a high-performing team that delivers responsive, solutions-oriented support to Operational, Finance, and HR leaders. The position establishes strong communication channels to ensure that system capabilities align with organizational needs and that every interaction reflects BUH’s values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence in serving patients, customers, and one another.

The role is responsible for maintaining strong controls and audit practices while ensuring timely communication and cross-functional issue resolution across HR, Payroll, Finance, Operations, and Labor Relations. This position also drives process improvement and system optimization
, with a strong preference for experience in UKG and Workday. The work environment requires on-site presence at least three days per week and supports a highly complex operation of 20,000 employees across multiple states, eight unions, and a limited international presence. Success in this role requires strong accountability, leadership, accuracy, and consistent delivery against deadlines.

Brown University Health employees are expected to role model our values - Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence – which guide our everyday actions with patients, customers, and one another.

In consultation with the VP Controller, and Brown Health stakeholders, including HR and Operational leaders, develop short- and long-term goals and implement action plans to achieve agreed-upon objectives. Consult with managers and department heads systemwide as part of the ongoing evaluation of BUH Payroll Operations and related services.

Regularly collaborate and meet with HR leaders to drive activities that impact the payroll processing system. Participate in the development of HR policies and procedures affecting payroll data, system operations, and the accuracy of payroll information. Develop policies and procedures governing the use and operation of the payroll processing system.

Hire, mentor, and develop a high-performance payroll team; provide guidance and counsel; conduct periodic performance evaluations; oversee employee lifecycle processes; serve as a resource to staff; conduct periodic individual and group staff meetings; maintain staff development plans; and establish performance standards.

Own, modify, and administer payroll policies and procedures to ensure efficient and accurate payroll processing. Continually review completed work to ensure that established quality standards, accuracy, controls and confidentiality are maintained. Champion policy changes as needed.

In collaboration with the VP Controller, develop the annual operating and capital budget for the Payroll Operations department in accordance with the overall budget process and timeline.

Ensure that all payroll accounting practices comply with U.S. Department of Labor requirements and other federal and state agency guidelines.

Provide project management and support for designated payroll operations initiatives. Ensure the payroll team develops and maintains project management knowledge and skills. Define clear ownership of tasks, identify key milestones and establish due dates to drive projects and work to completion.

Collaborate with the VP Controller and the payroll team to refine payroll accounting practices and procedures and improve payroll processes. Ensure all appropriate controls and audits are in place to…