Director of Payroll

Orchestra•New York, NY

15h•$135,000 - $180,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Orchestra is seeking a Director of Payroll to join the Finance team. The Director of Payroll is responsible for the strategic oversight and hands-on execution of payroll operations for Orchestra’s growing, multi-state workforce. This role will lead all payroll activities, including processing, compliance, benefits integration (e.g., 401(k)), and coordination with HR and Legal on employment matters. The ideal candidate is detail-obsessed, system-savvy, a strong communicator and comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment. This role reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer. Role location: This role is based on a hybrid basis in our New York, N.Y. office. The Finance team is in-office 3 days per week.

Requirements

8+ years of payroll experience; 2+ years in a leadership role
Experience managing payroll in a multi-state U.S. environment (including NY, NJ, CA, TX, etc.)
Deep knowledge of payroll tax compliance, wage and hour laws and benefits administration
Familiarity with employment lifecycle events (onboarding, offboarding, severance, terminations)
Hands-on experience with 401(k) administration and compliance (preferably with Fidelity)
Experience working with employment attorneys or handling sensitive payroll-related legal matters
Demonstrated ability to set up and maintain strong internal controls and audit processes
Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
Strong interpersonal skills; able to build trust and influence across departments
Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Nice To Haves

Experience with Paylocity, ADP, Workday, or similar large payroll/HCM platforms
CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) or other relevant certification
Experience scaling payroll operations in a high-growth or PE-backed environment

Responsibilities

Oversee end-to-end semi-monthly and off-cycle payroll for 700+ employees across multiple states
Ensure accurate, timely processing of payroll in compliance with federal, state and local regulations
Maintain and update payroll policies, procedures and controls aligned with best practices and SOX standards
Serve as Payroll system owner (preferably Paylocity or similar enterprise platform); manage upgrades, integrations and data integrity
Collaborate with HRIS/Finance teams to ensure seamless payroll-benefit data flow
Lead the implementation of automation and workflow improvements within the payroll lifecycle
Administer and reconcile benefit deductions, including health plans, HSA/FSA and 401(k) (Fidelity)
Ensure timely 401(k) funding and reporting, including compliance testing, match processing and audit support
Ensure full compliance with all applicable payroll tax laws and regulations (federal, state, and local)
File and reconcile multi-state payroll tax filings; work closely with external tax advisors as needed
Support annual audits (financial, 401(k), workers comp) with detailed payroll records and reconciliations
Partner with HR and Legal on payroll-related matters including onboarding, terminations, severance agreements, garnishments and leaves
Support employment-related disputes and compliance reviews, coordinating with external employment attorneys when necessary
Lead, develop, and mentor two direct reports in the payroll team
Act as a point of contact for payroll escalations; ensure high service levels to internal stakeholders
Communicate effectively with Finance, HR, Legal and department heads to ensure alignment and transparency
Design and implement payroll controls, reporting dashboards and reconciliation processes
Identify risks, gaps and process inefficiencies—proposing solutions before problems arise
Generate and present payroll insights to Finance and Leadership.