At TalentCount, we connect high-impact HR, Payroll, and Finance professionals with organizations where people, processes, and business growth are closely aligned. We are currently supporting a confidential search for a Payroll Director to join a rapidly growing, multi-entity organization undergoing significant expansion and transformation.
This is a unique opportunity for a payroll leader who thrives in both strategic and hands-on environments. The organization is scaling through acquisitions and organic growth, with a long-term vision of centralizing payroll operations across multiple companies and states into a best-in-class shared services model.
The ideal candidate is an experienced payroll professional who can lead a team, drive process improvements, support acquisitions, standardize payroll operations, and personally step in when payroll execution requires hands-on leadership.
Key Responsibilities
Payroll Operations & Compliance
\- Direct and oversee payroll operations across multiple companies, entities, and states.
\- Ensure timely, accurate, and compliant payroll processing for all employees.
\- Maintain expertise in federal, state, and local payroll regulations.
\- Support complex payroll calculations, including commissions, incentive compensation, bonuses, piece-rate pay, overtime, and multi-frequency payroll schedules.
\- Establish and maintain strong payroll controls, audit processes, and compliance standards.
Shared Services & Process Improvement
\- Lead the standardization of payroll practices across multiple operating companies.
\- Evaluate current payroll processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, consistency, and scalability.
\- Reduce manual processes through automation and process redesign.
\- Develop and implement payroll best practices, policies, procedures, and service standards.
\- Create a long-term roadmap for payroll shared services operations.
Mergers, Acquisitions & System Integrations
\- Lead payroll integration activities related to acquisitions.
\- Manage payroll transitions from acquired company systems into the organization’s payroll platform.
\- Coordinate payroll setup and compliance requirements for expansion into new states.
\- Partner with Accounting, HR, IT, and operational leaders to ensure successful integrations.
\- Support future payroll system enhancements, implementations, and platform transitions as needed.
Systems & Reporting
\- Serve as the payroll subject matter expert for ADP and related payroll technologies.
\- Troubleshoot payroll system issues and partner with internal stakeholders to drive solutions.
\- Ensure proper payroll-to-general ledger mapping and interface accuracy.
\- Develop payroll reporting and analytics that support operational and executive decision-making.
\- Improve payroll data integrity and reporting capabilities across the organization.
Leadership & Team Development
\- Lead, mentor, and develop a growing payroll team.
\- Foster a culture of accountability, accuracy, customer service, and continuous improvement.
\- Establish team structure and responsibilities to support future growth.
\- Partner closely with HR, Finance, Accounting, and operational leadership.
Qualifications
Required Experience
\- 10+ years of progressive payroll experience, including leadership responsibilities.
\- Experience leading multi-state payroll operations.
\- Experience supporting payroll across multiple entities, business units, or operating companies.
\- Strong hands-on payroll processing expertise.
\- Experience managing payroll in complex compensation environments, including commissions, incentives, bonuses, and other variable pay structures.
\- Demonstrated experience supporting mergers and acquisitions from a payroll perspective.
\- Strong knowledge of payroll compliance, wage and hour regulations, and payroll controls.
\- Experience leading payroll process improvement and standardization initiatives.
\- Advanced ADP experience, including configuration, troubleshooting, and administration.
\- Experience managing and developing payroll teams.
Preferred Qualifications
\- Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation.
\- Experience supporting high-growth or acquisitive organizations.
\- Experience with payroll system conversions or implementations.
\- Knowledge of Workday Payroll or other enterprise payroll platforms.
\- Experience supporting payroll-related audits, wage and hour claims, or employment litigation matters.
\- Strong understanding of payroll general ledger interfaces and payroll accounting concepts.
Success in This Role
Within the first 12 months, the successful candidate will:
\- Improve payroll consistency across multiple entities.
\- Establish stronger controls and reporting capabilities.
\- Reduce manual processes and inefficiencies.
\- Support acquisition-related payroll integrations.
\- Create a scalable payroll structure capable of supporting significant organizational growth.
\- Drive the standardization and simplification of payroll processes and pay codes.
\- Help position the payroll function as a strategic business partner to the organization.
Why Join This Opportunity?
\- Highly visible leadership role with executive exposure.
\- Opportunity to build and transform a growing shared services payroll function.
\- Support a rapidly expanding organization with ambitious growth plans.
\- Influence payroll strategy, systems, processes, and team development.
\- Competitive compensation package including bonus eligibility and potential equity participation.
\- Significant opportunity for long-term career growth and impact.
Compensation: $160,000 - $180,000 base salary + 20% bonus
Work Arrangement: On-site
Location: Brea, California