Director of Payroll

Greystone•Atlanta, GA

1d•$160,000 - $1,800,000

About The Position

Greystone is seeking a Director of Payroll to lead and direct the company's payroll function. This strategic and operational leader will be responsible for the accurate, compliant, and timely processing of payroll for approximately 1,000 multi-state employees. The role involves overseeing payroll operations using Workday Payroll and OSV (outsourced payroll vendor) solutions, ensuring seamless integration, process optimization, and regulatory compliance. The position reports to the Chief People Services Officer and includes managing and mentoring a payroll specialist. Experience with One Source Virtual and Workday is required.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, Business Administration preferred.
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification is required.
At least 10 years of progressive experience in payroll management including direct management of payroll for a mid-sized company (~1,000 employees).
Proven expertise in Workday required.
Experience managing outsourced payroll vendors (OSV or similar)
Strong understanding of payroll controls, best practices, laws / regulations, and federal, state, and local tax compliance requirements.
Advanced proficiency in leveraging available (standard) reporting for payroll processing controls, error tracking and payroll reconciliation.
Detail-oriented with a high degree of accuracy and ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.
Advanced excel skills.
Management skills including mentoring direct reports and developing payroll talent.
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
Record of accomplishment delivering exceptional customer service to employees and internal partners

Responsibilities

Lead end-to-end payroll operations for all employees across multiple states and companies.
Responsible for all aspects of timely end-to-end payroll processing, state registrations, payroll adjustments, tax withholdings, deductions, and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
Oversee payroll for special compensation, including bonuses, awards, and tax gross ups.
Serve as primary point of contact for outsourced payroll vendor (OSV) including managing vendor performance, SLAs, and issue resolution; collaborate with vendor to improve service delivery, reporting, and compliance alignment.
Identify and implement automation opportunities to improve accuracy and reduce manual processes.
Oversee payroll tax reporting and compliance with federal, State, and local regulations, managing multi-state requirements and remote employee considerations.
Implement internal controls, audit readiness protocols, and risk mitigation strategies to safeguard payroll integrity.
Develop and mentor a payroll specialist, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Manage payroll system configurations, including managing vendor relationships.
Conduct comprehensive assessments of payroll processes and recommend strategic improvements aligned with future organizational needs.
Collaborate with internal teams—including Finance, HR, Benefits, and Legal—to improve payroll workflows, reduce errors, and enhance data accuracy.