Payroll Director

About the role

We are seeking a 2+ year long-term, contract, Payroll Director to provide leadership for an established payroll operations team supporting a large, multi-state employee population. This individual will oversee day-to-day payroll administration for a $1B business and 15 direct reports, drive process improvements, support organizational initiatives, and serve as a key partner to payroll leadership during an ongoing operational transformation. The ideal candidate is a hands-on payroll leader who can effectively manage a team, navigate complex payroll environments, and independently drive priorities forward with minimal oversight. This role offers a blend of people leadership, operational execution, and project ownership.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a payroll operations team supporting a large multi-state employee population.
• Oversee payroll processing activities, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely execution.
• Provide coaching, direction, and workload management across the payroll team.
• Partner with payroll leadership on process improvements and operational initiatives.
• Support organizational change efforts and shared services projects.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives involving payroll, HR, finance, and operational stakeholders.
• Help evaluate and improve payroll workflows, controls, and service delivery processes.
• Monitor payroll tax activities and support transition-related initiatives as needed.
• Serve as an escalation point for complex payroll issues.
• Communicate project updates, risks, and recommendations to leadership.

Requirements

• 15+ years of progressive payroll experience, including leadership responsibilities over large teams.
• 5+ years managing payroll teams in a complex, multi-state environment.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing high-volume payroll operations for large employee populations (5,000+).
• Union payroll experience is required.
• Strong understanding of payroll tax regulations, compliance, and reporting.
• Experience leading payroll process improvements, organizational initiatives, or operational change.
• Comfortable balancing strategic leadership with hands-on payroll processing when necessary.
• Experience partnering with HR, Finance, and cross-functional business leaders.
• Proven ability to lead teams through periods of change while maintaining service levels.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to provide clear updates to executive leadership.
• Highly organized, self-directed, and comfortable working with minimal oversight.
• Construction, field services, or project-based industry experience is helpful but not required.
• Experience with enterprise payroll systems such as UKG, Workday, ADP, Oracle, or similar platforms is preferred.

What we're looking for

• A leader who enjoys coaching and developing teams while remaining willing to roll up their sleeves when needed.
• Someone who creates structure in fast-moving environments and keeps priorities organized.
• A proactive communicator who keeps stakeholders informed without being asked.
• A manager who can independently execute initiatives while partnering closely with senior leadership.
• Someone who thrives in organizations experiencing growth, change, and continuous improvement.

Benefits

• Platinum Benefits (low deductible, medical/dental/vision/401k/sick time within 30 days of starting)
• Lead an established payroll team supporting a large, complex workforce.
• High visibility role with direct access to senior payroll leadership.
• Opportunity to influence payroll operations during a period of organizational evolution.
• Balance people leadership, operational ownership, and project work.
• Long-term engagement expected through at least 2027.
• Work for a large, financially stable organization that continues to invest in its people, systems, and processes.
• Ability to make a meaningful impact without being buried in layers of bureaucracy.

Pay

$150,000 - $190,000 per year

Schedule

Remote