Director of Payroll

The Payroll Director is responsible for managing a team of payroll professionals and will have accountability for the accurate and timely processing of the company’s payroll (6,500 employees encompassing hourly and salaried Team Members), processing and management of garnishments, and maintaining and reporting payroll taxes.  This position is the key liaison between HR, Payroll and Finance/Accounting to troubleshoot issues, collaborate on projects and provide accurate payroll information, as needed.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Directly manage payroll operations (payroll processing and garnishments) and payroll tax (multi-state and federal payroll tax functions) functions to ensure all payroll processes and responsibilities are being achieved, completed in a timely manner and are in compliance with federal and state regulations.
• Maintain labor hour rules within the time & attendance system.
• Critically review and analyze current payroll, garnishments, and tax procedures in order to recommend and implement changes leading to best-practice operations.
• Provide support to all employees (restaurant employees, restaurant leadership, and support center employees) for payroll and paycheck related inquiries and resolution, as needed, including maintaining a system for payroll team weekend coverage
• Prepare for payroll audits and ensure team is following wage and hour compliance and best practices
• Main point of contact for both the HR and the Accounting and Finance teams to enhance collaboration/communication and manage issues to resolution
• Stays abreast of multi-state regulatory requirements and company policies
• In the future, participate in the implementation of an alternative HRIS, including participating in the set-up of the software to fit our business and reviewing current payroll procedures to identify best practice opportunities as we bring payroll in-house.
• Other duties as assigned.

 Skills/Knowledge:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to effectively plan, organize and meet deadlines while maintaining a high level of quality.
• Displays strategic thinking and good judgment when faced with complex or difficult situations and decisions.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelors’ Degree or extensive payroll managerial experience ( 15 years), in lieu of a college degree is required
• 8 -10 years of payroll experience required. Minimum of 5 years in a supervisory or management role with Payroll oversight
• Expert knowledge of payroll operations and Federal, State and local payroll laws required
• Working knowledge of UltiPro. Experience with a system conversion or implementation preferred. 
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills required
• Audit and compliance experience preferred
• Experience managing multi-state payrolls and payroll tax
• Experience with tipped employees considered a plus
• Ability to deliver high quality customer service consistently in a professional manner
• Strong knowledge of payroll-related compliance and reporting requirements
• Excellent analytical and problem solving skills
• Excellent interpersonal, listening and communication skills
• Effective team building capability and ability to guide, coach, and develop people
• Ability to manage the conflict/issue resolution process
• Ability to handle multiple customer requests/priorities effectively in a fast paced environment and make quick decisions