Director of Payroll Services

Director of Payroll Services

Role Summary

The Director of Payroll Services is responsible for providing strategic leadership over payroll operations, compliance, and systems across both U.S. and Canadian employee populations. This individual will lead a high-performing payroll team, serve as the most senior escalation point for complex issues, and oversee the execution of accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing. The role also focuses on driving automation, scalability, and continuous improvement across payroll systems and procedures. Close collaboration with senior leadership across Human Resources, Finance, Legal, Technology, and Operations is essential to align payroll strategy with broader business objectives, manage compliance risks, and deliver a streamlined and efficient experience for employees. This position also plays a key role in company-wide initiatives, including system upgrades, audits, and organizational changes such as mergers or acquisitions.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement payroll strategies that support operational efficiency, automation, and scalability across the organization
• Provide oversight of payroll operations across U.S. and Canadian locations, ensuring timely and accurate processing for a geographically distributed workforce
• Ensure payroll compliance with all relevant local, state/provincial, and federal regulations and internal policies
• Lead internal and external audit processes, including those related to SOX and financial reporting
• Enhance payroll systems—especially Workday Payroll and Time Tracking—through collaboration with HR systems and technology partners
• Partner with stakeholders across HR, Finance, Legal, and Operations to support cross-functional initiatives such as policy changes, system integrations, and M&A activity
• Oversee close processes tied to payroll, including journal entries, reconciliations, and reporting
• Establish and track key performance indicators and service levels to ensure consistent service and operational excellence
• Create, standardize, and maintain payroll documentation to support ongoing compliance and audit readiness
• Act as the final escalation point for complex payroll questions or concerns and implement ongoing improvements to address root causes
• Mentor and develop payroll team leadership, supporting professional development, team engagement, and succession planning
• Stay current on industry trends, regulations, and technologies; complete all required training for the role
• Perform other responsibilities as needed

Qualifications and Skills

• Proven leadership in large-scale payroll operations with an emphasis on transformation, compliance, and service delivery
• Expertise in managing payroll for multi-jurisdictional workforces, including tax and regulatory requirements in both the U.S. and Canada
• Strong proficiency in Workday Payroll and Time Tracking, including system optimization and implementation experience
• Ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and lead through change in complex environments
• Strategic thinker with excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated ability to develop and inspire high-performing teams
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, or a related field required; advanced degree preferred
• Payroll certification such as CPP or FPC strongly preferred
• Advanced Excel skills and proficiency with other Microsoft Office applications
• Minimum 10 years of progressive payroll experience within a multi-entity organization, and at least 5 years in a leadership role
• Experience supporting organizational changes such as M&A integrations and audit readiness
• Strong project management experience, including planning and execution of cross-functional initiatives