Director, Payroll

JOB SUMMARYPosition Purpose SummaryThe Director of Payroll provides strategic leadership governance and oversight for all payroll operations across the organization ensuring accurate timely and compliant payroll processing for . This position is responsible for establishing payroll strategy leading payroll operations ensuring regulatory compliance maintaining effective internal controls managing vendor relationships and driving continuous process Director serves as the enterprise payroll subject matter expert and partners closely with Human Resources Finance Accounting Legal Internal Audit Information Technology and external service providers to ensure payroll operations support organizational goals. The role is accountable for payroll compliance SOX controls tax reporting payroll system optimization audit readiness and payroll service delivery Director leads a team of payroll professionals and is responsible for developing talent establishing departmental priorities and ensuring a customer-focused payroll function that delivers operational excellence while maintaining compliance with all federal state local provincial and regulatory TASKS / RESPONSIBILITIESStrategic LeadershipDevelops and executes the organizations payroll strategy ensuring alignment with business objectives and workforce short- and long-term payroll operational goals service level expectations and performance strategic guidance to executive leadership regarding payroll trends regulatory changes compliance risks and operational the evaluation selection implementation and optimization of payroll technologies and service delivery opportunities to automate processes improve controls reduce risk and enhance the employee Operations ManagementDirects all payroll operations for U.S. and Canadian employees ensuring accurate and timely payroll complex payroll transactions including executive compensation incentive payments commissions relocation benefits equity transactions expatriate payments tax adjustments and severance payroll processing activities are conducted efficiently and in compliance with company policies and applicable payroll procedures controls and service standards to support operational as the final point of escalation for complex payroll issues and exception Controls & Risk ManagementMaintains ownership of payroll compliance programs including wage and hour requirements payroll tax regulations garnishments withholding obligations record retention and reporting compliance with all SOX controls audit requirements and internal control preparation and support for internal audits external audits tax audits and regulatory legislative and regulatory developments and ensures timely implementation of required and maintains payroll governance practices that minimize operational and compliance & Technology ManagementProvides executive oversight of outsourced payroll vendors and service vendor performance standards service level agreements and operational vendor governance meetings and performance payroll system enhancements integrations upgrades testing and implementation with HRIS IT and Finance teams to optimize payroll-related technologies and reporting & Tax AdministrationEnsures accurate payroll accounting reconciliations accruals funding activities and financial with Finance and Accounting to support month-end quarter-end and year-end close payroll tax compliance filings reconciliations amendments and annual payroll reporting processes including Forms W-2 T4 and other required federal state local and provincial budgeting and forecasting activities related to payroll operations and personnel Leadership & DevelopmentLeads develops and mentors payroll management and payroll operations performance expectations and accountability measures for payroll a culture focused on accuracy service excellence compliance and continuous employee engagement succession planning talent development and organizational capability building within the payroll strong cross-functional relationships to support enterprise initiatives and organizational Improvement & Customer ExperienceChampions continuous improvement initiatives designed to improve efficiency scalability compliance and employee and monitors key performance indicators (KPIs) dashboards and service timely resolution of employee payroll inquiries and emerging risks and proactively implements solutions to enhance payroll SCOPE / IMPACTSpan of ControlLeads a payroll organization consisting of managers payroll professionals analysts and/or outsourced vendor for enterprise-wide payroll operations supporting multiple business units and geographic Making / AutonomyExercises significant independent judgment in matters relating to payroll operations compliance tax administration technology staffing and process decisions that have substantial financial compliance operational and employee relations AuthorityDevelops and manages payroll departmental enterprise payroll technology investments and vendor for payroll-related financial controls and operational ComplexityHandles highly complex payroll compliance tax audit and operational issues requiring advanced analysis interpretation of regulations and coordination across multiple / People LeadershipInfluences senior leaders and executives regarding compliance requirements process improvements risk mitigation strategies system investments and organizational alignment across HR Finance IT Legal Internal Audit and external the payroll function in executive and cross-functional leadership forums.