We are looking for an experienced Sr. Payroll Director to lead payroll operations for a large, multi-state workforce in Huntersville, North Carolina. This role oversees accurate and timely bi-monthly payroll processing, strengthens compliance practices, and drives improvements across payroll systems and workflows. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in enterprise payroll leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and optimization of HRIS and timekeeping environments.<br><br>Responsibilities:<br>• Direct end-to-end payroll operations for a workforce of more than 500 employees, ensuring accurate and timely bi-monthly processing across multiple states.<br>• Establish and maintain payroll controls, audits, and review procedures to support compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.<br>• Lead the administration and optimization of ADP Workforce Now and partner with internal teams on payroll-related HRIS and ERP functionality.<br>• Oversee payroll data integrity by coordinating information from timekeeping, HR, benefits, and finance systems.<br>• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that simplify payroll workflows, enhance reporting accuracy, and reduce processing issues.<br>• Collaborate with HR, Finance, and other business partners to resolve payroll discrepancies, support planning, and improve service delivery.<br>• Provide leadership for payroll system enhancements and implementation efforts involving Workday HRIS, Workday Payroll, Workday ERP, and related platforms.<br>• Monitor tax filings, deductions, garnishments, and year-end payroll activities to ensure complete and compliant payroll administration.
<p>Senior Director of Payroll</p><p><br></p><p>Overview</p><p>A large, complex, and growing organization is seeking a <strong>Senior Director of Payroll</strong> 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.</p><p><br></p><p>This leader will operate both <strong>strategically and hands-on</strong>, 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.</p><p><br></p><p>Key Responsibilities</p><p>Payroll Operations & Execution</p><ul><li>Oversee end-to-end payroll processing across all U.S. and Canadian entities</li><li>Maintain deep working knowledge of daily payroll operations to inform leadership decisions</li><li>Manage multiple payroll types and pay structures (hourly, salaried, bonuses, commissions, etc.)</li><li>Ensure payroll accuracy, timeliness, and data integrity across systems</li><li>Support high-volume seasonal ramps and complex pay cycles</li></ul><p>Compliance & Risk Management</p><ul><li>Serve as the internal subject matter expert on payroll tax and wage & hour compliance</li><li>Ensure compliance with federal, state/provincial, and local regulations</li><li>Oversee payroll tax filings, garnishments, and third-party vendor relationships</li><li>Establish and enhance internal controls, audit processes, and approval workflows</li><li>Lead internal and external payroll audits and proactively mitigate risk</li></ul><p>Leadership & Team Development</p><ul><li>Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing payroll team</li><li>Strengthen the team through clear role definition, accountability, and cross-training</li><li>Build redundancy and reduce single points of failure within payroll operations</li><li>Provide ongoing training on systems, compliance, and evolving best practices</li></ul><p>Systems, Process Improvement & Reporting</p><ul><li>Own payroll systems and integrations, including large-scale time & attendance platforms</li><li>Drive process improvement initiatives, standardization, and documentation (SOPs)</li><li>Analyze payroll metrics and trends to improve accuracy, efficiency, and scalability</li><li>Partner with IT and Finance on system enhancements and optimization</li></ul><p>Cross-Functional Partnership</p><ul><li>Collaborate closely with Finance, HR/People, and Operations leaders</li><li>Support acquisitions, integrations, and organizational growth initiatives</li><li>Act as a trusted advisor for payroll-related strategy, compliance, and problem-solving</li></ul><p>Special Projects</p><ul><li>Support M&A due diligence, system implementations, and integration efforts</li><li>Assist with modernization of legacy payroll processes and platforms</li><li>Perform other duties as needed to support business growth</li></ul>