Associate Director, Payroll - Total Rewards

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end administration of multiple semi-monthly U.S. payrolls and support global payroll cycles, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and operational integrity
• Own payroll governance framework, including reconciliations, controls, documentation, audit readiness, and regulatory compliance across jurisdictions
• Review and approve payroll calculations, equity transactions, off-cycle payments, tax withholdings, and complex compensation items
• Partner with Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS), Compensation, Benefits, Finance, Tax, and external vendors to ensure seamless system integration and data accuracy
• Lead payroll-related month-end and year-end processes, including W-2, W-2c, taxable fringe benefits, 401(k) compliance support, and audit coordination
• Oversee payroll accounting interfaces and general ledger reconciliations in partnership with Finance
• Design and implement scalable process improvements, strengthening controls while reducing manual intervention
• Champion payroll transformation initiatives, including: Deployment of automation and workflow optimization tools, Implementation of AI-enabled anomaly detection and predictive error flagging, Development of dashboard reporting and data visualization for real-time payroll insights, Evaluation and enhancement of system integrations across Workday and ADP Workforce Now
• Serve as an escalation point for complex payroll matters, exercising sound judgment and discretion
• Mentor junior payroll team members and contribute to a high-performance, accountable team environment

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or related field, or equivalent practical experience
• 6–10 years of progressive multi-state U.S. payroll experience, including ownership of full-cycle payroll operations
• Demonstrated experience operating in a complex, multi-entity, or highly regulated environment
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local tax regulations, wage and hour laws, and payroll compliance requirements
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including large data set analysis and reconciliation
• Proven ability to manage confidential information with professionalism and sound judgment

Preferred Exposure

• To or experience supporting international payroll operations
• Experience leading payroll system enhancements, implementations, or process redesign initiatives
• Familiarity with payroll accounting, journal entries, and financial close processes
• Experience leveraging automation tools, robotic process automation (RPA), AI-driven validation controls, or data analytics platforms to modernize payroll operations
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation
• Experience within financial services, asset management, insurance, or similarly regulated industries