Director, Payroll Operations

Employer Flexible•Houston, TX

20d

About The Position

Why This Role Matters Payroll is one of the most critical services we deliver to our clients and their employees. As Director of Payroll Operations, you will lead the team responsible for ensuring thousands of employees are paid accurately, on time, and in compliance across multiple states. This role oversees Payroll Managers and payroll teams operating across multiple offices and markets. Because these teams do not all sit in the same location, this leader must create strong operational alignment, clear processes, and consistent service delivery across a distributed organization. Your leadership will help unify payroll operations, strengthen collaboration across offices, and build a scalable payroll function that supports the company’s continued growth. Position Summary The Director of Payroll Operations provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the company’s payroll function across multiple markets. This role leads Payroll Managers and their teams responsible for delivering payroll services for a diverse client base within a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) environment. The Director will focus on operational excellence, payroll accuracy, compliance, and team leadership while driving continuous improvement across payroll systems, processes, and service delivery. This role partners closely with client service teams, HR consulting, benefits operations, accounting, and implementation teams to ensure a seamless payroll experience for clients and their employees. The ideal candidate is a strong operational leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, can lead distributed teams across multiple locations, and understands the complexity of multi-client payroll operations.

Requirements

8+ years of payroll experience, preferably within a PEO, multi-client payroll environment, or high-volume payroll operation
3+ years of leadership experience managing managers or large operational teams
Strong knowledge of payroll regulations, wage and hour laws, and payroll tax fundamentals
Experience leading teams across multiple offices or locations
Proven ability to operate in a fast-paced operational environment
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills
Excellent communication and leadership abilities

Nice To Haves

Professional Employer Organization (PEO) experience
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification
Experience with payroll system implementations or migrations
Experience leading operational process improvement initiatives

Responsibilities

Provide leadership and oversight of payroll operations across multiple markets and offices.
Lead Payroll Managers responsible for day-to-day payroll execution and team performance.
Ensure accurate and timely payroll processing across multiple pay schedules including weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, and monthly payrolls.
Establish operational standards, controls, and best practices to ensure consistency across payroll teams.
Monitor payroll performance metrics and implement improvements that strengthen accuracy and operational efficiency.
Lead, coach, and develop Payroll Managers and their teams of payroll specialists.
Build a high-performing payroll organization capable of supporting company growth.
Establish clear expectations for accountability, collaboration, and service excellence.
Promote consistent communication and coordination across teams located in multiple offices and states.
Partner closely with Client Success, HR Consulting, and Implementation teams to ensure seamless payroll delivery.
Serve as the escalation point for complex payroll issues and client concerns.
Support client retention by ensuring payroll challenges are resolved quickly and effectively.
Promote proactive communication and service standards that strengthen client relationships.
Ensure payroll operations comply with all federal, state, and local wage and tax regulations.
Maintain strong internal controls around payroll processing, funding verification, and ACH activity.
Partner with accounting and finance teams to ensure accurate reporting and reconciliation.
Support internal audits and regulatory compliance initiatives.
Support adoption and effective use of payroll and CRM systems across payroll teams.
Identify opportunities to improve payroll workflows, documentation, and operational efficiency.
Partner with internal teams to resolve system issues and support technology enhancements.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance payroll accuracy, efficiency, and client experience.