Payroll Director

About the role

We are looking for an experienced Payroll Director to lead enterprise payroll operations for a complex, multi-jurisdiction workforce in California. This role is responsible for delivering accurate and compliant payroll administration across domestic and international populations while strengthening processes, controls, and reporting capabilities. The ideal candidate brings strong leadership, deep technical payroll knowledge, and the ability to partner effectively with Finance, HR, and senior leadership in a fast-moving environment.

Responsibilities

• Direct end-to-end payroll activities for U.S. and international employee groups, ensuring each pay cycle is completed accurately, on schedule, and in accordance with applicable regulations.
• Oversee paid leave and time-off administration, maintaining reliable tracking practices and resolving issues that affect payroll accuracy.
• Manage payroll-related employee support communications, providing timely and thorough responses to questions from staff and leaders.
• Design, document, and refine payroll procedures and internal controls to support compliance, operational efficiency, and organizational growth, including expansion into additional jurisdictions and updates to payroll or timekeeping platforms.
• Lead payroll tax setup and ongoing compliance activities across federal, state, local, and international requirements as needed.
• Review and reconcile payroll-related accounts, including tax balances, clearing accounts, general ledger items, garnishments, employee advances, and other earnings or deduction liabilities.
• Supervise and develop payroll team members by providing guidance, training, and oversight across processing, audit, and compliance responsibilities.
• Ensure payroll documentation and records are retained in line with legal standards and company policy.
• Approve and audit employee status and compensation changes throughout the employment lifecycle to maintain payroll accuracy.
• Produce payroll reporting, analytics, and audit support for leadership, including workers’ compensation payroll audits and coordination with internal partners and external auditors.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• At least five years of progressive experience in payroll and accounting, including leadership responsibility for payroll operations.
• Strong knowledge of full-cycle payroll administration, multi-state payroll, payroll tax compliance, and employment-related regulations.
• Hands-on experience with payroll systems such as Dayforce or ADP Workforce Now; ability to adapt quickly across platforms.
• Experience processing high-volume payroll for large employee populations, including bi-monthly payroll cycles.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel, along with strong analytical and reconciliation skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across all levels of an organization.
• Ability to manage confidential information, prioritize competing deadlines, and exercise sound judgment in a fast-paced environment.

Benefits

Robert Half offers competitive compensation and benefits, including medical, vision, dental, and life and disability insurance. Hired contract/temporary professionals are also eligible to enroll in our company 401(k) plan. Visit roberthalf.gobenefits.net for more information.

Pay & Schedule

95000 - 100000 USD / Yearly
Onsite

Contact Information

- San Luis Obispo, CA
- onsite
- Permanent / Full Time
- 95000 - 100000 USD / Yearly
- We are looking for an experienced Payroll Director to lead enterprise payroll operations for a complex, multi-jurisdiction workforce in California. This role is responsible for delivering accurate and compliant payroll administration across domestic and international populations while strengthening processes, controls, and reporting capabilities. The ideal candidate brings strong leadership, deep technical payroll knowledge, and the ability to partner effectively with Finance, HR, and senior leadership in a fast-moving environment.
- 2026-07-08T00:00:00Z