Director of Payroll Services

Sunrise Senior Living • McLean, VA

3d • $160,356 - $200,445

About The Position

The Director of Payroll Services leads enterprise payroll strategy and operations across Sunrise Senior Living’s U.S. and Canadian locations. The role is responsible for accurate, compliant, and scalable payroll delivery and for developing a high-performing payroll team. It leads payroll strategy, transformation, automation, and process optimization; oversees multi-state and provincial payroll operations; and serves as the senior escalation point for complex payroll matters.

The Director drives optimization of Workday Payroll and Time Tracking and partners with HR, IT, Finance, and Legal on enhancements and integrations. The role leads payroll-related audits, maintains documentation and control integrity, establishes KPIs and SLAs, oversees month-, quarter-, and year-end close activities, supports mergers and acquisitions and workforce transitions, and implements standardized policies and scalable processes. It also mentors payroll leaders and staff while fostering accountability, service excellence, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, or a related field.
• At least 1 year of progressive payroll leadership experience.
• At least 5 years of people management experience.
• Workday Payroll expertise.
• Strong U.S. and Canadian payroll compliance knowledge.
• Advanced Excel skills.

Nice To Haves

• Workday Payroll implementation experience.
• FPC or CPP certification.

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise payroll strategy, transformation, and automation initiatives.
• Oversee multi-state and provincial payroll operations for a large workforce.
• Ensure compliance with tax laws, wage and hour regulations, SOX, and internal controls.
• Serve as the senior escalation point for complex payroll matters.
• Drive optimization of Workday Payroll and Time Tracking.
• Partner with HR, IT, Finance, and Legal on system enhancements and integrations.
• Lead payroll-related audits and ensure documentation and control integrity.
• Establish KPIs and SLAs to elevate the team member experience.
• Oversee month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities.
• Support M&A integrations and workforce transitions.
• Implement standardized payroll policies and scalable processes.
• Mentor and develop payroll leaders and staff.
• Foster accountability, service excellence, and continuous improvement.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability plans.
• Retirement savings plans.
• Employee Assistance Program and discount program.
• Paid time off (PTO), sick time, and holiday pay.
• myFlexPay, allowing employees to get paid within hours of a shift.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Discretionary and/or non-discretionary bonuses may be offered, subject to position, plan eligibility, and performance requirements.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director