Director, People – Payroll

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California.

📋 Description

• Oversee all payroll functions for a multi-entity, multi-state organization, guaranteeing precise and prompt processing of payroll, taxes, deductions, garnishments, off-cycle payments, and related activities.

• Formulate and implement payroll strategies, policies, controls, and scalable operational processes to facilitate organizational growth and adapt to increasing business complexities.

• Ensure adherence to all federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations, wage and hour laws, and reporting obligations, including intricate multi-state compliance requirements.

• Act as the organization's subject matter expert in payroll operations, compliance, audits, and payroll systems.

• Lead payroll-related system initiatives, encompassing implementation support, process redesign, integrations, testing, vendor management, and operational enhancement.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with HR technology, Finance, Accounting, Benefits, Legal, and external service providers to ensure synchronization of payroll operations with enterprise processes.

• Manage payroll audits, reconciliations, quarter-end and year-end activities, including W-2 review and approval; Establish and uphold payroll controls, reporting, documentation, and governance practices to reduce organizational risk and guarantee audit readiness.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field required; CPP Certification is highly preferred.

• At least seven (7) years of progressive payroll experience, with leadership responsibilities in complex, multi-state organizations.

• Minimum of three (3) years of experience managing payroll teams in a managerial, senior managerial, or director capacity.

• Proven track record in leading or playing a significant leadership role in a Workday implementation, with strong knowledge of Workday HCM and related modules such as payroll, benefits, time tracking, absence, recruiting, talent and performance, learning, and engagement tools.

• Experience in the healthcare sector is strongly preferred, with an understanding of compliance, workforce complexity, and operational realities in a regulated care environment.

• Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations and wage and hour compliance requirements, particularly California labor laws; Experience supporting payroll operations in a high-growth, multi-entity setting.

• Experience in leading payroll process transformation, system implementations, integrations, or operational modernization initiatives; Strong expertise in payroll systems configuration, testing, process mapping, and vendor management.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical insurance coverage (Medical, Dental, Vision).

• Work/life balance - We mean it! 17 days of personal time off (PTO), 12 holidays observed annually, and 6 sick days.

• 401K savings plan with matching contributions.

• Comprehensive compensation package that includes base salary and bonuses.

• And additional benefits!