Director of Payroll | Columbia Hospitality

Columbia Hospitality•Seattle, WA

4d•$120,000 - $150,000

About The Position

The Director of Payroll provides strategic leadership, governance, and operational oversight of payroll administration across Columbia Hospitality’s portfolio of hotels, resorts, restaurants, golf clubs, residential communities, and other managed properties. The role ensures accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing for team members across multiple states and jurisdictions while supporting organizational growth and operational complexity. The Director serves as the company’s subject matter expert on payroll compliance, wage and hour laws, payroll taxation, tip and service charge administration, garnishments, and payroll system governance. The role develops payroll strategies to improve efficiency, scalability, compliance, and team member experience; leads the payroll team; and oversees multiple payroll platforms and integrations. The position partners with Finance, Accounting, People & Culture, Property Leadership, Benefits, HRIS, and external vendors to align payroll operations with organizational objectives and applicable federal, state, and local regulations. It also performs other duties and special projects as assigned by management.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field.
8 or more years of progressive payroll leadership experience.
5 or more years leading payroll functions in a multi-state environment.
3 or more years of direct people leadership experience managing payroll teams.
Demonstrated experience overseeing large-scale payroll operations across multiple locations, entities, or properties.
Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll regulations, including wage and hour laws.
Experience managing multiple payroll, timekeeping, and HRIS platforms.
Strong understanding of payroll accounting, payroll tax administration, garnishments, and audit practices.
Advanced analytical, problem-solving, and process improvement skills.
Strong communication and leadership capabilities, including the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
Strong organizational, analytical, and decision-making skills.
Ability to work primarily in an office environment and operate standard office equipment, including a computer, keyboard, and telephone.
Ability to remain stationary for extended periods during meetings, workshops, and computer-based work.
Ability to communicate effectively in person, virtually, and in writing with team members, executives, owners, and external partners.
Ability to occasionally move and transport materials weighing up to 15 pounds.
Ability to conduct site visits at hospitality properties.

Nice To Haves

Two or more years of Dayforce experience.
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation.
Hospitality, multi-unit, restaurant, retail, healthcare, or other geographically dispersed workforce experience.
Experience supporting complex payroll populations, including tipped, seasonal, and union employees, and multiple legal entities.
Experience leading payroll system implementations and large-scale process transformations.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute payroll strategy for a growing portfolio of properties operating across multiple states.
Establish scalable payroll processes, controls, and governance practices that support growth and regulatory changes.
Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on automation, standardization, system optimization, efficiency, compliance, and team member experience.
Advise executive leadership on payroll risks, compliance trends, legislative developments, and operational efficiencies.
Develop payroll metrics, dashboards, and reporting to measure accuracy, timeliness, compliance, and service performance.
Oversee end-to-end payroll processing for exempt, non-exempt, tipped, seasonal, and salaried team members across multiple entities and locations.
Ensure timely and accurate payroll, payroll tax, year-end reporting, W-2, correction, and off-cycle payment processing.
Establish and maintain controls that support payroll data integrity, accuracy, and compliance.
Partner with Finance and Accounting on payroll reconciliations, accruals, labor reporting, and general ledger integrations.
Develop standardized operating procedures for payroll functions.
Evaluate payroll processes, identify opportunities for automation and efficiency, and eliminate risky or unnecessary manual work.
Use root cause analysis and process redesign to resolve recurring payroll issues and improve service, compliance, productivity, and team member satisfaction.
Monitor federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations, including wage and hour requirements, minimum wages, paid leave, tax regulations, overtime, tip credits, and service charges.
Conduct audits of wage and hour practices, including meal and rest breaks; lead internal and external payroll audits and coordinate responses to government agencies and tax authorities.
Partner with People & Culture and senior leadership on wage and hour matters, employee classifications, payroll disputes, and compliance investigations.
Develop and maintain payroll policies, procedures, and controls to minimize organizational risk.
Provide strategic oversight and/or support for payroll platforms, vendors, timekeeping systems, and HRIS integrations.
Lead payroll system implementations, upgrades, conversions, testing, and process enhancements.
Oversee payroll systems and regulatory infrastructure, including state tax and workers’ compensation registrations across jurisdictions; govern system changes through collaboration, testing, risk assessment, and implementation controls.
Evaluate payroll technologies and recommend solutions that improve efficiency, compliance, accuracy, and scalability.
Ensure payroll systems have appropriate configuration, security, access protocols, and audit capabilities; partner with HRIS, IT, and vendors to maintain system integrations.
Lead, coach, develop, and mentor payroll team members; set service standards and performance expectations; and manage staffing, workload, and resource planning.
Build payroll expertise through training, documentation, cross-training, and succession planning, and foster continuous improvement, responsiveness, collaboration, and customer service.
Train new managers and property leaders on payroll systems, processes, and policies.
Partner with property leaders to align payroll practices with company policies and legal requirements.
Collaborate with People & Culture on state registrations, acquisitions, management agreements, property openings, transitions, and organizational changes.
Advise finance and operational leaders on payroll costs, labor reporting, compliance risks, and workforce management strategies.
Support due diligence and integration for acquisitions, management transitions, and new business opportunities.
Support audits relating to 401(k), benefits, workers’ compensation, and employee relations.
Review and audit Columbia Hospitality invoices monthly, ensuring billing accuracy and disputing discrepancies or incorrect charges as needed.
Review and manage payroll-related inquiries, notices, and audits from the IRS, state agencies, and other regulators; determine resolution paths, coordinate escalations with Dayforce when needed, create and monitor vendor support cases, and follow up to drive resolution.
Be reasonably available beyond normal business hours when necessary for payroll deadlines, system implementations, operational issues, audits, or leadership needs.
Conduct site visits at hospitality properties, including guest-facing and back-of-house operational areas.
Perform other duties and special projects as assigned by management.

Benefits

Incentive eligible.
Commuter/parking allowance.
Daily pay option.
Paid time off and holiday pay.
Medical, dental, vision, and disability benefits.
401(k).
HSA/FSA plans with employer contribution.
Referral bonus.
Discounted lodging, dining, spa, golf, and retail.
Employee Assistance Program.
Volunteer opportunities through Columbia Cares.
Committee participation opportunities, including philanthropic and diversity, equity, and inclusion committees.
Task force work opportunities at locations across the globe.
Online learning platform.
Third-party discounts, including pet insurance, rental cars, movie and concert tickets, theme parks, and attractions.