Director of Payroll & HRIS (UKG)

Rocket Youth•Tampa, FL

6d•$115,000 - $130,000•Onsite

About The Position

Rocket Youth is seeking a strategic leader with deep UKG expertise and experience supporting complex, multi-state organizations to oversee enterprise payroll operations and drive the evolution of their UKG platform. This role is crucial for a rapidly growing, acquisition-driven organization that expands through 10-15 acquisitions annually. The Director will play a key role in integrating new businesses and building scalable payroll and HR technology solutions. This is an exciting opportunity to shape payroll strategy, optimize HR technology, and partner with executive leadership to support nationwide growth.

Requirements

10+ years of progressive payroll and HRIS leadership experience
5+ years of advanced UKG experience
Experience managing multi-state, multi-entity payroll operations
Strong knowledge of payroll tax regulations, wage and hour laws, and compliance requirements
Experience supporting high-growth or acquisition-driven organizations
Strong analytical, leadership, and process improvement skills
Excellent communication and executive stakeholder management experience

Nice To Haves

UKG implementation, optimization, or system transformation experience
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)
Experience in private equity-backed organizations
Experience supporting multi-brand or decentralized organizations

Responsibilities

Lead payroll operations across multiple states and business entities
Ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing
Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations
Develop payroll policies, controls, and best practices
Oversee payroll audits, reporting, and data integrity
Serve as the primary administrator and subject matter expert for UKG
Drive system optimization, automation, and process improvements
Manage system configurations, upgrades, testing, and enhancements
Develop dashboards, reporting, and workforce analytics
Improve user experience through scalable HR technology solutions
Lead payroll and HRIS integration for newly acquired companies
Standardize payroll processes across multiple brands
Support organizational scalability through technology and operational improvements
Ensure seamless onboarding of acquisitions into enterprise systems
Partner with HR, Finance, IT, Operations, and Executive Leadership
Develop standard operating procedures and training documentation
Lead and mentor payroll and HRIS team members
Deliver executive reporting, KPIs, and workforce analytics that support strategic decision-making