Director, Payroll Operations - Global Industrial

The Payroll Director is responsible for leading and overseeing end-to-end payroll and related financial operations across multi-entity, multi-state organizations. This role ensures accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing while driving system implementations, process improvements, financial reporting accuracy, and payroll integration efforts related to growth and M&A activity. The Payroll Director serves as a subject matter expert (SME) on payroll best practices, tax compliance, financial controls, and payroll systems, while leading and developing high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

Oversee full-cycle payroll processing for multi-state organizations with weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly pay frequencies; Manage payroll operations across multiple companies, branch locations, and FEINs, supporting large employee populations; Lead, mentor, and develop payroll team members; Drive accuracy and timeliness in payroll execution; Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations; Oversee multi-state tax compliance, including state withholding, state unemployment taxes, and tax ID registrations; Manage payroll tax reporting and filings including W-2s, 1095-Cs, and quarterly/annual returns; Conduct comprehensive payroll audits covering employee data, time and attendance, overtime calculations, misclassifications, and system discrepancies; Ensure accurate and timely recording and recoding of payroll-related General Ledger activity; Manage payroll journal entries and validate alignment with financial reporting requirements; Perform monthly and quarterly account reconciliations for payroll, benefits, taxes, and related liabilities; Partner with Finance and Accounting teams to ensure proper cost allocation; Analyze payroll expense trends and variances; Support month-end and year-end close processes; Strengthen financial controls surrounding payroll processes

Requirements

Extensive experience managing multi-state payroll operations for large, complex organizations; Strong knowledge of payroll accounting, GL processes, reconciliations, and financial reporting; Proven leadership experience managing and developing payroll teams; Deep knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations and compliance requirements; Hands-on experience implementing and optimizing payroll systems, including Workday and ADP SmartCompliance; Strong analytical, financial reporting, and problem-solving skills; High attention to detail with a commitment to accuracy, compliance, and internal controls; CPP Certification; Bachelor’s degree