Director, Payroll

KQED•San Francisco, CA

9d•$131,915 - $150,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director, Payroll oversees accurate, compliant payroll operations for a complex nonprofit organization in California. Working closely with Finance and Human Resources, this role combines technical payroll expertise with hands-on operational skills to manage end-to-end payroll operations. The Director partners with cross-functional teams to strengthen controls, resolve issues efficiently, and ensure timely payroll delivery. The position works hybrid, between KQED’s newly renovated headquarters and remote work. KQED’s mission is to provide citizens of Northern California with a community-supported alternative to commercial media, offering information for informed decisions, community dialogue, arts and storytelling, and educational and exploratory experiences. KQED emphasizes human dignity, equity, and belonging, and encourages applications from marginalized communities. The role also performs other duties as assigned. The job description is not intended to be all-inclusive, and employees may be required to perform other related duties as needed to meet the organization’s ongoing needs.

Requirements

8–12+ years of progressive payroll experience, including responsibility for complex payroll operations.
Hands-on experience with payroll systems and strong familiarity with enterprise payroll platforms.
Experience handling payroll for complex union and non-union employee rules.
Knowledge of payroll tax administration, year-end processing, reconciliations, audits, and internal controls.
Proficiency with time and attendance systems, Microsoft Excel, and other Microsoft Office applications.
Ability to lift a minimum of 15 pounds and exert muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry.
Ability to use abdominal and lower back muscles over time without fatigue.
Ability to stand and/or sit for extended periods; bend, stoop, stretch, twist, sit, and reach; and perform fine motor tasks.
Good visual and auditory acuity.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field; equivalent experience will also be considered.
Certified Payroll Professional.

Responsibilities

Oversee end-to-end payroll operations, ensuring each payroll cycle is completed accurately and on schedule.
Manage payroll processing with the PEO while maintaining compliance with applicable wage, tax, and reporting requirements.
Oversee payroll calculations involving regular earnings, commissions, and other variable compensation.
Handle payroll reconciliations and internal control activities to identify discrepancies and drive corrective action.
Audit and reconcile employee deferral and employer matching contributions between payroll and retirement systems to ensure plan compliance.
Streamline workflows to automate manual inputs, reduce processing errors, and scale operations.
Partner with Human Resources, Finance, FP&A, and business leadership to address payroll questions and support operational needs.
Monitor timekeeping inputs and related processes to improve payroll accuracy and reduce processing issues.
Use payroll systems and reporting tools, including Excel-based analysis, to investigate exceptions and support decision-making.
Lead external financial audits, 403(b) retirement audits, workers’ compensation audits, and tax authority inquiries.
Maintain compliance with state and federal labor laws, wage and hour regulations, garnishments, final pay rules, and nonprofit-specific tax regulations, including 403(b) rules, minister or clergy tax if applicable, and state-by-state withholding.
Serve as the primary cross-functional liaison across HR, Legal, and Accounting to assess the financial and operational implications of contracts.
Perform other duties as assigned.