Corporate Director of Payroll

Davidson Hospitality Group•Atlanta, GA

11h•Hybrid

About The Position

Davidson Hospitality Group is seeking a hands-on payroll leader who thrives in a fast-paced, complex environment and knows Workday Payroll inside and out. This role involves leading a high-performing team and executing payroll operations across a large, multi-state organization supporting over 13,000 team members. It's a highly visible leadership position that combines strategic oversight with day-to-day execution, making it ideal for someone who wants to make a significant impact while staying closely involved in the details. The Corporate Director of Payroll & Payroll Compliance will serve as the Workday Payroll Subject Matter Expert (SME), drive compliance across various jurisdictions, collaborate with HR, Finance, and Operations, and lead a talented payroll team to ensure payroll is processed accurately, efficiently, and on time. This is not a purely strategic role; the ideal candidate will be detail-oriented, adept at problem-solving, and focused on driving results. The position requires the candidate to be based in or willing to relocate to the Atlanta area and work onsite in Dunwoody, GA on a hybrid schedule (3 days per week).

Requirements

Workday Payroll experience is required (configuration, processing, and troubleshooting).
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification required.
10+ years of progressive payroll experience, including leadership in a multi-state environment (10,000+ employees preferred).
Proven experience leading and developing high-performing payroll teams.
Strong hands-on experience with large-scale payroll systems and implementations (Workday strongly preferred).
Deep knowledge of multi-state payroll processing, payroll tax regulations, and compliance requirements.
Experience working with third-party payroll providers (ADP, OSV, etc.).
Advanced Excel and payroll reporting capabilities.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence across all levels.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, HR, or related field preferred.
Hospitality or multi-unit experience strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead and personally oversee end-to-end payroll processing for weekly and bi-weekly payrolls across all entities.
Ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payroll execution for a multi-state workforce of 10,000+ employees.
Review, approve, and reconcile payroll prior to transmission to third-party providers (e.g., ADP, OSV).
Support payroll readiness for new property openings, transitions, and acquisitions.
Manage complex payroll activities including bonuses, garnishments, and adjustments.
Lead, coach, and develop a team of payroll professionals, including Managers and Specialists.
Drive a culture of accountability, accuracy, customer service, and continuous improvement.
Establish clear expectations and ensure team productivity and performance.
Serve as the primary SME for Workday Payroll, including configuration, processing, troubleshooting, and optimization.
Partner with HRIS and external consultants to identify system issues and lead testing through resolution.
Lead payroll system implementations, enhancements, and integrations (timekeeping, benefits, GL).
Drive system adoption, reporting capabilities, and operational efficiency.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll laws, wage and hour regulations, and garnishments.
Oversee payroll tax administration, including filings, audits, and setup in new jurisdictions.
Monitor regulatory changes and proactively update processes and controls.
Lead year-end payroll activities including W-2 and W-2c processing.
Conduct regular payroll audits to ensure accuracy and mitigate risk.
Continuously evaluate and improve payroll processes, workflows, and controls.
Serve as the primary escalation point for complex payroll issues.
Partner with HR, Finance, and Operations leadership to solve problems and enhance processes.
Manage relationships with third-party providers to ensure service quality and issue resolution.
Provide training and guidance to field HR and operational leaders.