Sr. Payroll Director

Senior Director of PayrollOverviewA large, complex, and growing organization is seeking a Senior Director of Payroll to lead payroll operations across the U.S. and Canada. This role oversees payroll processing for a highly distributed workforce that includes full-time, part-time, and high-volume seasonal employees across multiple entities and jurisdictions.

This leader will operate both strategically and hands-on, strengthening the payroll function, building team capability, improving processes, and ensuring accuracy, compliance, and scalability. The environment is fast-paced and operationally complex, making this an ideal role for a payroll leader who enjoys rolling up their sleeves while driving transformation.

Key ResponsibilitiesPayroll Operations & ExecutionOversee end-to-end payroll processing across all U.S. and Canadian entitiesMaintain deep working knowledge of daily payroll operations to inform leadership decisionsManage multiple payroll types and pay structures (hourly, salaried, bonuses, commissions, etc.)Ensure payroll accuracy, timeliness, and data integrity across systemsSupport high-volume seasonal ramps and complex pay cyclesCompliance & Risk ManagementServe as the internal subject matter expert on payroll tax and wage & hour complianceEnsure compliance with federal, state/provincial, and local regulationsOversee payroll tax filings, garnishments, and third-party vendor relationshipsEstablish and enhance internal controls, audit processes, and approval workflowsLead internal and external payroll audits and proactively mitigate riskLeadership & Team DevelopmentLead, coach, and develop a high-performing payroll teamStrengthen the team through clear role definition, accountability, and cross-trainingBuild redundancy and reduce single points of failure within payroll operationsProvide ongoing training on systems, compliance, and evolving best practicesSystems, Process Improvement & ReportingOwn payroll systems and integrations, including large-scale time & attendance platformsDrive process improvement initiatives, standardization, and documentation (SOPs)Analyze payroll metrics and trends to improve accuracy, efficiency, and scalabilityPartner with IT and Finance on system enhancements and optimizationCross-Functional PartnershipCollaborate closely with Finance, HR/People, and Operations leadersSupport acquisitions, integrations, and organizational growth initiativesAct as a trusted advisor for payroll-related strategy, compliance, and problem-solvingSpecial ProjectsSupport M&A due diligence, system implementations, and integration effortsAssist with modernization of legacy payroll processes and platformsPerform other duties as needed to support business growth