Director of Payroll | Columbia Hospitality

Columbia Hospitality•Seattle, WA

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. As the company’s payroll subject matter expert, the Director oversees compliance, payroll taxation, wage and hour matters, tips and service charges, garnishments, and payroll system governance. The Director develops payroll strategies and scalable processes that improve efficiency, compliance, and team member experience. The role leads a high-performing payroll team; oversees multiple payroll platforms and integrations; and partners with Finance, Accounting, People & Culture, Property Leadership, Benefits, HRIS, and external vendors. The position also handles other duties and special projects as assigned by management. This role is primarily based in an office environment and may include site visits to hospitality properties. The Director is expected to be reasonably available beyond normal business hours when needed for payroll deadlines, system implementations, operational issues, audits, or other leadership needs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field.
At least 8 years of progressive payroll leadership experience.
At least 5 years leading payroll functions in a multi-state environment.
At least 3 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.
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, including walking through guest-facing and back-of-house operational areas.
Reasonable availability beyond normal business hours when necessary to support payroll deadlines, implementations, operational issues, audits, or other leadership needs.
Strong organizational, analytical, and decision-making skills.

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 to support a growing, multi-state portfolio of properties.
Establish scalable payroll processes, controls, governance practices, and standardized operating procedures.
Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on automation, standardization, system optimization, 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, tax, year-end reporting, W-2, correction, and off-cycle payment processing.
Maintain payroll controls and partner with Finance and Accounting on reconciliations, accruals, labor reporting, and general ledger integrations.
Evaluate payroll processes, eliminate risky or inefficient manual work, and address recurring issues through root cause analysis and process redesign.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations, including wage and hour requirements, minimum wages, paid leave, taxes, overtime, tip credits, and service charges.
Conduct wage and hour audits, including reviews of meal and rest break compliance; lead internal and external payroll audits and coordinate responses to agencies and regulators.
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.
Oversee payroll platforms, vendors, timekeeping systems, HRIS integrations, system implementations, upgrades, conversions, testing, and enhancements.
Ensure state tax and workers’ compensation registrations are established and maintained; govern payroll system changes through collaboration, testing, risk assessment, and implementation controls.
Evaluate payroll technologies and ensure appropriate system configuration, security, user access, and audit capabilities.
Partner with HRIS, IT, and vendors to maintain integrations among payroll, benefits, timekeeping, scheduling, and financial systems.
Lead, coach, develop, and mentor payroll team members; establish service standards, performance expectations, training, cross-training, and succession planning.
Manage payroll staffing, workload priorities, and resources, and train 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 related to 401(k), benefits, workers’ compensation, employee relations, and other areas.
Review and audit Columbia Hospitality invoices monthly, verify billing accuracy, and dispute discrepancies or incorrect charges as needed.
Manage payroll-related inquiries, notices, and audits from the IRS, state agencies, and other regulatory authorities; coordinate escalations with Dayforce, manage vendor support cases, and drive timely resolution.
Conduct site visits at hospitality properties as needed.

Benefits

Pay range of $120,000 to $150,000, depending on experience.
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 (Columbia Cares).
Volunteer opportunities.
Committee and task force participation opportunities.
Online learning platform.
Third-party perks, including discounts on pet insurance, rental cars, movie and concert tickets, theme parks, and attractions.