Director of Payroll Services

Bethany Christian Services USA • Grand Rapids, MI

4d

About The Position

Bethany Christian Services is a faith-rooted organization supporting children and families, foster care and adoption, and refugees across 29 states. The Director of Payroll Services provides strategic leadership for payroll operations, ensuring accurate and timely processing, effective controls, compliance, sound payroll accounting, and continuous process improvement. The role leads and develops the payroll team, serves as a subject matter expert on payroll systems and operations, and collaborates with Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, vendors, and organizational leadership. The Director also supports organizational planning and decision-making through payroll data analysis, special projects, operational reviews, and compliance governance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college.
• At least five years of progressive experience managing and processing payroll operations.
• At least two years of experience managing a payroll operations team.
• Strong analytical, diagnostic, and problem-solving skills, including understanding the business implications of decisions.
• Ability to exercise a high level of confidentiality.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work with all levels of the organization and stakeholders.
• Strong customer service focus and ability to develop working relationships and collaborate with other departments to achieve outcomes.
• Reliability in meeting time-sensitive deadlines and completing tasks.
• Ability to work under pressure and adapt to change.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including advanced use of Excel; computer skills sufficient to perform the essential functions, including knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Must be at least 21 years old and have a valid driver’s license and at least three years of U.S. driving experience to operate a vehicle on behalf of Bethany.
• Must pass a Motor Vehicle Records check and maintain a reliable vehicle with proof of adequate coverage.
• Must pass a criminal history screen, including state and local child protection agency registries.
• Subscription to and integration of the agency Statement of Faith, Mission Statement, and Commitment to Unity.

Nice To Haves

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) accreditation.
• Working knowledge of configuration, functionality, and implementation of payroll processing systems; UKG suite of products preferred.
• Familiarity with configuration, functionality, and implementation of HRIS systems; UKG suite of products preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute payroll strategies, providing leadership and direction and implementing controls and process improvements to ensure accurate and timely payroll processing.
• Ensure the accuracy and integrity of payroll transactions, maintain payroll-related system configurations, and support financial reporting through effective payroll accounting and reporting practices.
• Lead, develop, coach, and evaluate payroll team members in alignment with job expectations and Bethany’s values.
• Evaluate payroll technology solutions and serve as the subject matter expert to maximize system capabilities, efficiency, and operational effectiveness.
• Evaluate vendor solutions as directed by organizational leadership to ensure they meet operational, compliance, and service requirements.
• Serve as the escalation point for complex payroll issues and partner with Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, vendors, and organizational leadership to resolve concerns.
• Provide leadership and governance over payroll compliance by monitoring federal, state, and local regulations, evaluating organizational risk, recommending policy, process, and system enhancements, and ensuring timely implementation of compliance changes.
• Lead and support special projects, strategic initiatives, operational reviews, and payroll-related data analyses and requests for the Chief Financial Officer, executive leadership, and key stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Human Resources and Information Technology to ensure the accuracy, integrity, and security of employee and payroll-related data.
• Serve as the Finance department subject matter expert on payroll operations, process improvements, strategic initiatives, and organizational planning.
• Oversee and support the annual Workers’ Compensation audit and provide payroll data and analysis for employee classifications and reporting requirements.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Training, professional development, and career growth opportunities.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match eligibility.
• Generous time off, including 11 paid holidays, PTO YourWay, paid parental leave, and separate sick and paid absence banks.
• Education reimbursement for eligible employees.
• Employee assistance and wellness program.
• Employer-paid long-term disability and group term life insurance.

What This Job Offers

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