Statewide Director of Payroll Operations

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Boston, MA

3d•$125,000 - $145,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Assistant Comptroller for Payroll & Payments, the Director of Payroll Operations serves as the Statewide Payroll Officer, providing strategic leadership, supervisory oversight, and operational accountability for statewide payroll. The role oversees the accuracy, timeliness, consistency, compliance, and integrity of payroll operations, including HRIS, payroll processing and accounting, automation, departmental support, and quality assurance. The Director leads statewide payroll supervisors and staff, sets performance expectations and accountability standards, and promotes consistent application of statewide policies, procedures, and internal controls. The role also supports Commonwealth departments through guidance, education, collaboration, and escalation support; develops payroll control frameworks and quality-assurance processes; coordinates system-change analysis and testing; and ensures required payroll, tax, and year-end activities are completed accurately and on time. The position is a management, exempt, non-civil-service, at-will role and is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement. CTR uses a hybrid work model. Employees are currently required to work at least four business days per month at CTR’s Boston office, with the remainder worked remotely from a supervisor-approved location, subject to telework requirements. Employees must be able to report to the Boston office with little or no notice, including during the same workday. On-site work is an essential function, and the role may require primarily on-site work during initial training and orientation.

Requirements

At least six years of full-time or equivalent part-time professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in accounting or financial management, including budgeting, accounting, auditing, management analysis, program evaluation, financial reporting, or program results.
At least two years of the required experience must be in project management, supervisory, or managerial capacity, or the candidate must meet the stated equivalent-combination provisions.
Proven responsibility for managing complex payroll operations and ensuring accuracy, timeliness, efficiency, and compliance.
Demonstrated experience directing teams, establishing performance expectations, evaluating results, and developing staff.
Ability to lead and develop staff, support supervisors, establish accountability, and foster effective teamwork.
Experience identifying payroll risks, implementing controls, addressing deficiencies, and ensuring appropriate corrective actions.
Extensive experience applying payroll laws, managing audit activities, and maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements.
Proven ability to evaluate operational performance, resolve complex issues, and lead initiatives to improve payroll effectiveness.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including identifying root causes, assessing operational and compliance risks, and developing practical solutions.
Strong communication skills, attention to detail, time management, multitasking, flexibility, and ability to work well under pressure.
Ability to contribute productively as part of a team and as an individual contributor, maintain a positive attitude, and learn new standards and guidelines.
Applicants must follow the application process on the Office of the Comptroller’s careers site; submissions must include a cover letter and resume. Candidates advancing to a second-round interview must also submit three business writing samples and three professional references.
A background check is required as a condition of employment and includes a CORI check and Commonwealth Department of Revenue state tax compliance review.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree or higher in business management or business administration with a concentration in accounting, or relevant experience.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including demonstrated ability to create spreadsheets using advanced features and formulas.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Power BI and Snowflake for querying and compiling data.
Working knowledge of the Commonwealth’s HR/Payroll system (HR/CMS) or another ERP.
Working knowledge of the Commonwealth’s Finance/labor cost distribution system (Mosaic/LCD) or another finance ERP.
Working knowledge of the Commonwealth Information Warehouse (CIW) or another warehouse solution.
A relevant or related certificate, bachelor’s degree, graduate degree, or doctorate may substitute for portions of the required experience as specified in the posting.

Responsibilities

Manage and coordinate the statewide payroll team’s operations, including HRIS, HR, payroll, payroll accounting, processing, automation, department support, and quality assurance.
Provide leadership, direction, mentorship, and support to payroll supervisors and staff while fostering a collaborative, accountable, service-oriented, and inclusive work environment.
Support supervisors in coordinating workloads, priorities, team activities, employee engagement, and operational objectives.
Establish expectations and accountability for the timely and accurate completion of statewide payroll responsibilities.
Ensure statewide payroll schedules and critical deadlines are met, and that payroll errors and exceptions are identified, investigated, and corrected before processing.
Promote consistent statewide payroll practices and application of payroll policies, procedures, controls, and standards across Commonwealth departments.
Provide guidance and escalation support for complex payroll matters affecting Commonwealth departments.
Set expectations for departmental payroll responsibilities and provide departments with the support and tools needed to meet them.
Coordinate with the Director of Payroll Engagement & Change Management on timely, accurate, and consistent communications to departments, emphasizing education, collaboration, compliance, and effective administration.
Build working relationships with payroll professionals and other Commonwealth stakeholders and ensure the team remains a trusted resource.
Analyze payroll system changes, define business requirements that meet Massachusetts government needs and comply with state finance law and tax and labor requirements, and coordinate testing.
Develop and maintain control frameworks, procedures, and standards to protect the integrity and accuracy of statewide payroll operations and promote accountability.
Ensure calendar- and fiscal-year-end processing is completed successfully and on time, including quarterly W-2 iterative processing and reconciliation, production of W-2s before January 31, scheduled monthly ACA processing and production of 1095-Cs by the defined deadline, and completion of Non-Resident Alien enrollment and processing and production of 1042s before March 15.
Establish review, reconciliation, escalation, and quality-assurance processes for high-risk and deadline-sensitive payroll activities.
Develop and implement protocols for regular audits and reviews of HR and payroll data to identify inaccuracies, anomalies, control weaknesses, and compliance concerns.
Ensure documentation, evidence, and audit trails are maintained for payroll transactions, reconciliations, adjustments, and control activities.