Payroll Director

Payroll Director
Location: San Diego, CA

We are looking to hire a Payroll Director to join our team in San Diego. This role will lead and support our expanding global payroll operations, overseeing both domestic and international payroll processing, tax compliance, and reporting. As a key leader, you will manage a team of payroll professionals to ensure accurate, timely payroll processing while maintaining compliance with all applicable regulations.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

Review, update, and implement global payroll policies and procedures to enhance operational efficiency.
Mentor, develop, and manage the payroll team, fostering accountability, growth, and continuous improvement.
Create and execute a long-term payroll strategy that aligns with the company's overall business goals.
Set standards and establish best practices, offering guidance on technical issues and resolving complex payroll challenges.
Identify and lead opportunities for automation and digital transformation to streamline processes.
Collaborate with Treasury, Accounting, and other People Success teams to drive cross-functional initiatives.
Ensure payroll compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and industry best practices.
Payroll Operations

Oversee the semi-monthly domestic payroll processing for 400 employees across 20 states, ensuring accuracy and timely execution.
Manage collaboration with third-party payroll providers for international payroll processing in the UK and the Netherlands (50 employees).
Develop and maintain department manuals, processes, internal controls, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Work with the Treasury team to manage payment schedules for both domestic and international payroll.
Oversee tax withholding and reporting for new states and countries, ensuring compliance with tax regulations and collaborating with government agencies.
Review and approve payroll changes for new hires, employee status updates, earnings/deductions, garnishments, HSA contributions, and 401(k) match true-ups.
Review payroll reconciliations, monitor tax deposits, and ensure payroll tax returns are timely and accurate.
Oversee the annual workers' compensation estimate and audit process.
Provide ad-hoc financial and operational reporting as needed.
Advise on the proper taxation of earnings and benefits.
Offer outstanding customer service by responding to payroll inquiries and issues.
Ensure compliance with SOX controls and support audit processes.
Collaborate with People Success teams on benefits payments, deductions, and taxable compensation reporting.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications & Experience:

10 years of experience in California payroll.
Strong experience managing international payroll, with in-depth knowledge of compliance in the UK and the Netherlands.
At least 5 years of managerial experience, including expertise in year-end tax processing.
Proven experience with international payroll, particularly in the UK (HMRC compliance) and the Netherlands (Government compliance).
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification required; International Payroll Certification for the UK and Netherlands preferred.
Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, or a related field, or 10 years of equivalent experience.
In-depth understanding of payroll, taxes, benefits, systems, and processes; Workday experience preferred.
Excellent attention to detail with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Thorough knowledge of labor laws, tax regulations, and payroll compliance requirements.
Experience with mergers and acquisitions a plus.
Advanced proficiency in Excel, including VLOOKUPs, macros, etc.
Ability to thrive in ambiguous situations and take initiative without detailed instructions.
Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present effectively to leadership.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, or military or veteran status. We consider all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local laws, including the California Fair Chance Act, City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance. For unincorporated Los Angeles county, to the extent our customers require a background check for certain positions, the Company faces a significant risk to its business operations and business reputation unless a review of criminal history is conducted for those specific job positions.