Position Summary

The Senior Director of Payroll is a strategic and operational leader responsible for overseeing all U.S. payroll functions for a large, complex workforce. This role ensures accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing across all 50 states while leading payroll strategy, compliance, audits, systems, and integrations. This role partners closely with HR, Finance, Legal, and external vendors to deliver a scalable, high-quality payroll experience for more than 15,000 employees.

Scope of Responsibility

• 15,000+ W-2 employees
• Multi-state, multi-union, and complex wage/hour environment

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Operations & Leadership

• Ensure all employees are paid accurately and on time across all U.S. jurisdictions.
• Oversee end-to-end payroll processing, including wage calculations, deductions, payroll runs, tax withholdings, W-2 distribution, wage garnishments, and benefit setup.
• Lead payroll operations for exempt, non-exempt, union, full-time, and part-time employee populations.
• Establish and maintain strong internal controls, documentation, and standard operating procedures.

Compliance, Risk & Audit Ownership

• Own payroll compliance across federal, state, and local regulations, including multi-state and union requirements.
• Lead all payroll-related audits (internal, external, SOX, union, and government audits as applicable).
• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes and ensure timely implementation of required updates.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for payroll risk management and issue resolution.

Systems, Integrations & Technology

• Provide overall leadership and governance for payroll and people systems, including ADP WorkforceNow and related third-party solutions.
• Own payroll system integrations with HR, benefits, finance, time & attendance, and other upstream/downstream systems.
• Partner with IT, HRIS, and Finance, and the business to drive system optimization, automation, data integrity, and scalability.
• Lead vendor relationships, contract management, and service performance.

Cross-Functional Partnership & Reporting

• Handle and oversee resolution of complex payroll-related inquiries and escalations.
• Maintain accurate payroll records and ensure reliable payroll reporting and reconciliations.
• Partner closely with HR and Finance to support workforce planning, financial reporting, and decision-making.
• Deliver accurate, timely, and actionable payroll metrics and insights to senior leadership.

Strategy & Continuous Improvement

• Serve as a strategic advisor to the Senior Vice President, People Strategy & Solutions on payroll-related initiatives.
• Develop and execute payroll strategy aligned with broader People and business objectives.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, compliance, employee experience, and cost management.
• Lead and develop a high-performing payroll team, fostering accountability, expertise, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications & Experience

• Significant leadership experience managing large, complex U.S. payrolls across all 50 states.
• Deep expertise in multi-state payroll compliance, union payrolls, wage/hour laws, and tax regulations.
• Proven experience with ADP Workforce Now and payroll system integrations.
• Strong audit, controls, and risk management background.
• Demonstrated ability to operate both strategically and tactically in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and cross-functional partnership skills.