Director of Payroll

About Waterton

Waterton has grown from humble beginnings to become a nationally recognized real estate investment and management firm. Over 30 years, Waterton has remained committed to delivering an incredible Resident Experience, supported by a passionate workforce dedicated to exceeding expectations.

Job Summary

The Director of Payroll is accountable for the governance, oversight, and leadership of all aspects of payroll. This includes planning and directing payroll operations, ensuring financial regulatory integrity, leading a team, and supporting payroll tax and accounting requirements. The role focuses on continuous improvement through strong leadership, analysis, and technology integration.

How You Will Contribute To Our Team

• Plan and direct all elements of payroll, including cash and non-cash compensation processing.
• Accountable for the financial regulatory integrity of the payroll process.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the payroll team responsible for bi-weekly, multi-state payroll.
• Establish team goals, objectives, and standards, including measuring progress and providing critical feedback.
• Direct the compiling, tabulation, and balancing of Federal, FICA, state, and unemployment taxes.
• Ensure compliance in garnishment processing, including reporting and agency interaction.
• Collaborate with HRIS team to ensure payroll and timekeeping systems and processes are properly set up and maintained.
• Partner with Operations, Human Resources senior leadership, and Accounting teams to review cross-departmental impacts and implement best practices.
• Oversee all aspects of payroll accounting, including general ledger posting and balance sheet reconciliations of accrued payroll and tax liabilities.
• Partner with HRIS on the configuration of the company timekeeping system.
• Maintain awareness of current practices in payroll processing and keep the various departments within the Company informed about changes in all current payroll and tax regulations.
• Responsible for the accounting and all monthly/quarterly/annual accounting close requirements for payroll.
• Oversee payroll tax and payroll processing services with third-party outsourcing partners. Ensure compliance with payroll tax filings and related returns, year-end preparation, and the issuance of W-2 forms accurately and within established deadlines.
• Implement and report on key metrics to monitor, manage, and improve quality and efficiency.
• Provide reporting on payroll and timekeeping KPIs.
• Detailed working knowledge and technical mastery of complex compliance and regulatory requirements for multi-state payroll processing.
• Provide direction, coaching, and mentoring of assigned team members, leading the team to respond to pay, benefit, payroll tax, and compensation inquiries from management, associates, and outside agencies.
• Lead the development and achievement of team-specific, department, and organizational goals.
• Lead with and role model a focus on collaboration and responsiveness.
• Lead with a project management mindset, being flexible and nimble in recognizing and adjusting to necessary changes in supporting the organization, maintaining control of overall agenda, and including others as appropriate to drive project completion and provide developmental opportunities for others.
• Create disciplined processes with emphasis on leveraging Waterton-approved technology as extensively as possible.
• Proactively participate in establishing and managing to annual budget.
• Bring a strong ethical approach to execution of work and leadership, modeling careful and conservative, detail-oriented approaches to work in accordance with company standards and federal/state regulations, make decisions carefully and cautiously within the guidelines of established company policy.
• Leverage persuasive collaboration and communication skills to engage productively with direct team members, the entire HR team, senior leadership, and all other colleagues.
• Partner with HR Leadership Team, Finance, and other business stakeholders on cross-functional projects.
• Partner and lead activities and events that support Waterton's culture and philanthropic activities as assigned.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, human resources, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive payroll experience in a multi-state environment.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in managing payroll professionals.
• Extensive experience with UKG (HRIS) and WFM (Timekeeping) required.
• Advanced computer skills; proficient in all Microsoft Office products with advanced Excel skills.
• Demonstrated advanced analytical skills with a high degree of attention to detail.
• Demonstrated experience with constantly shifting priorities with a high sense of urgency and without loss of efficiency.
• Proven ability to train, motivate, evaluate, mentor, and direct team members.
• Demonstrated experience maintaining excellent relations with colleagues and also maintaining confidentiality at all times.
• Experienced in determining content for and leading department meetings.
• CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) preferred.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and incentive program participation.
• Full suite of benefits, including Medical, Dental, Life, Disability, and even pet insurance.
• 401k + match.
• Generous paid time off, volunteer time off, and paid holidays.
• A commitment to life-long learning through learning plans that include internal and external trainings, as well as consideration for tuition reimbursement.
• Employee discounts and wellness initiatives, like an onsite gym.
• Hybrid work environment (based on business or position needs).