Director Of Payroll

Aston Carter•Springfield, MA

4d•$104,000 - $140,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Payroll manages payroll operations for a large public-sector organization and leads a sizeable payroll team responsible for processing approximately 6,000 bi-weekly payrolls. This role ensures accurate and timely payroll processing, payroll tax compliance, retirement reporting, employee compensation administration, and payroll system maintenance. The Director partners closely with Human Resources and Finance to maintain payroll accuracy, uphold regulatory compliance, and support continuous improvement across payroll processes.

Requirements

Proven experience in payroll processing and payroll operations management within a complex organization.
Strong knowledge of payroll tax compliance and reporting, including federal, state, and local requirements.
Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience, with the ability to lead, coach, and develop a payroll team.
Background in accounting or finance with experience overseeing payroll, rather than solely performing transactional processing.
Ability to interpret employment agreements, union contracts, and compensation structures and apply them accurately to payroll.
Proficiency in analyzing compensation and payroll data to ensure accuracy and compliance.
Experience with retirement reporting and understanding of eligibility requirements.
Strong skills in data analysis and payroll auditing to identify anomalies and improve processes.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex payroll issues clearly.
Ability to manage large volumes of detailed information while maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
Minimum of 5 years of experience in payroll, accounting, finance, or a related field.
Minimum of 2 years of supervisory experience overseeing staff.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Munis HR/Payroll systems.
Experience with TimeClock Plus (TCP) or similar time and attendance systems.
Proficiency with Microsoft Access for data management and reporting.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including use of Pivot Tables for analysis and reporting.
Knowledge of federal and state labor laws and how they impact payroll and employee compensation.
Experience with contract interpretation and pay-rule administration, particularly in unionized environments.
Demonstrated ability to lead reporting and process improvement initiatives within payroll or related functions.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize and manage multiple deadlines in a high-volume environment.
Comfort working in collaboration with Human Resources and Finance teams to ensure data integrity and policy alignment.

Responsibilities

Lead and supervise the payroll team, including setting expectations, allocating work, providing training, conducting performance management, and supporting employee development.
Oversee end-to-end payroll operations, including policies, procedures, internal controls, and compliance requirements for a large public-sector workforce.
Ensure full compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations, including payroll tax laws and labor regulations.
Analyze compensation data to ensure alignment with employment agreements, union contracts, and established compensation structures.
Review payroll processing for accuracy, identify payroll anomalies or discrepancies, and implement corrective actions as needed.
Maintain and support employee self-service functionality within the payroll and HR systems, and respond to employee payroll inquiries in a timely and professional manner.
Manage retirement system reporting and submissions, including eligibility tracking and adherence to retirement plan requirements.
Prepare and file quarterly and annual payroll tax documentation, including Form 941, W-2 reporting, state tax reporting, and unemployment reports.
Develop, maintain, and update reports, policies, and documentation related to payroll operations to support transparency, consistency, and audit readiness.
Collaborate with Human Resources and Finance to ensure payroll data integrity, support budgeting and reporting needs, and align payroll practices with organizational policies.
Use data analysis and payroll auditing techniques to identify process improvements, enhance accuracy, and streamline workflows.
Support contract interpretation and pay-rule administration, especially for union payroll, ensuring correct application of pay rules, differentials, and benefits.
Provide leadership and guidance on payroll system maintenance and enhancements, including HR/payroll system configuration and integrations.
Perform additional duties as assigned to support departmental goals and broader organizational initiatives.