Payroll Director

About the role

The Payroll Director is responsible for the strategic leadership, oversight, and continuous improvement of the Company's payroll function, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing for a multi-state workforce of 1,100+ employees across a diverse portfolio of business operations.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic oversight of multi-state, multi-FEIN payroll processing across all business divisions, including property management, development, construction, corporate, and others.
• Ensure accurate, compliant and timely processing of all employee compensation, incentives, bonuses, deductions, garnishments, and special earnings.
• Oversee payroll accounting activities, reconciliations, accruals, payroll funding, and related financial reporting.
• Direct payroll tax administration, filings, deposits, and reconciliations, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Maintain governance frameworks and internal controls to ensure payroll accuracy and mitigate organizational risk.
• Ensure timely processing of final pay requirements and compliance with state-specific termination regulations.
• Develop and execute a payroll strategy aligned with organizational objectives and growth initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes, increase automation, reduce risk, and improve operational efficiency.
• Lead payroll transformation initiatives, including system enhancements, integrations, and process redesign efforts.
• Evaluate and implement best practices to improve employee experience and payroll service delivery.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments affecting payroll, wage and hour compliance, taxation, and reporting requirements.
• Serve as the organization's primary payroll compliance expert and advisor.
• Lead payroll-related internal and external audits, including financial, tax, workers' compensation, and 401(k) reviews as applicable.
• Ensure timely remediation of audit findings and implementation of corrective actions.
• Partner with Human Resources, Benefits, Compensation, Accounting, and Business Lines to ensure seamless administration of payroll-related programs.
• Support mergers, acquisitions, organizational restructures, and expansion into new states or jurisdictions.
• Collaborate on annual budgeting, forecasting, workforce planning, and compensation-related initiatives.
• Advise senior leadership on payroll trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Serve as business owner for payroll technology platforms, including Paylocity and related integrations.
• Partner with IT, internal and external resources and vendors to optimize system functionality, reporting capabilities, and data integrity.
• Lead testing, validation, and implementation of payroll system upgrades and enhancements.
• Ensure robust reporting and payroll analytics to support business decision-making.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and minimum 8 years of progressive payroll experience with responsibility for complex, multi-state payroll operations, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience supporting organizations with 1,100+ employees across multiple states, including California.
• Experience in real estate, property management, construction, or similarly complex operating environments preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading payroll process improvements, system implementations, and organizational growth initiatives.
• Minimum 5 years of payroll leadership experience managing payroll teams and functions.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including data analysis, reporting, and reconciliation functions.
• Experience with Paylocity required.
• Strong understanding of payroll accounting, reconciliations, and financial controls.
• Working knowledge of HRIS systems, integrations, and payroll reporting tools.
• Experience with audit management and compliance programs preferred.
• Knowledge of Milhaus’s services and processes is required which can be obtained through intellect, technical inclination, and dedication to gain such knowledge.
• Extensive knowledge of multi-state payroll operations, payroll tax administration and accounting, wage and hour laws, and regulatory compliance.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to align payroll operations to organizational goals.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to assess risk and implement practical solutions within a complex regulatory environment.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team development capabilities.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• High level of discretion and ability to manage confidential information.
• Outstanding communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Commitment to operational excellence, accuracy, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and tactfully negotiate priority with end users.
• Ability to work under deadline pressure and extra hours if needed.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification strongly preferred.