Payroll Director with F.D. Thomas, Inc.

Ready to lead and elevate payroll operations in one of the Pacific Northwest's hidden gems?

Medford, Oregon offers a unique blend of natural beauty, tranquility, and adventure. Surrounded by vineyards, scenic valleys, and iconic destinations like Crater Lake, this region is ideal for those who enjoy both professional growth and an active lifestyle. Whether you prefer hiking, biking, or simply taking in breathtaking views, Medford provides an exceptional backdrop to your next career move.

At F.D. Thomas (FDT), we're proud to combine meaningful work with an outstanding quality of life-and we're excited to show you why this is the place to be.

We are currently seeking an experienced and strategic Payroll Director to lead our payroll operations in Central Point, OR.

This role is ideal for a seasoned payroll leader who thrives in a compliance-driven, multi-entity environment and brings a strong command of full-cycle payroll management. The Payroll Director will oversee all aspects of payroll execution, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and compliance across a complex workforce, including union and non-union employees. In addition to managing day-to-day operations, this position will drive process improvements, support organizational growth, and ensure alignment with company policies, collective bargaining agreements, and regulatory requirements.

The Payroll Director will play a critical leadership role in guiding payroll strategy, developing team capabilities, and ensuring the delivery of timely, accurate payroll while maintaining the highest standards of compliance and operational excellence.

About Us

F.D. Thomas, Inc. is one of the largest coating and specialty contractors in the United States, with operations across California, Oregon, Washington, and the East Coast.

We are headquartered in Central Point, OR and are a wholly owned subsidiary of ASRC Industrial (AIS), part of Arctic Slope Regional Corporation-an Alaska Native Corporation. As a Minority Business Enterprise, we support our clients' diversity goals while delivering exceptional service and long-term value.

At FDT, we believe: Great People + Great Work = an Extraordinary Company

About the Role

The Director of Payroll is responsible for strategic leadership, administration, accuracy, compliance, and continuous improvement of payroll operations across multiple companies, states, and employee groups, including union and non-union workforces. This role oversees complex payroll functions in a fast-paced, multi-entity environment and ensures payroll is processed accurately, timely, and in compliance with all federal, state, local, union, and company requirements.

The Director of Payroll partners closely with Human Resources, Finance, Operations, Benefits, Legal, and external agencies to support organizational objectives, improve processes, reduce risk, and deliver high-quality payroll services to employees and leadership.

This position requires strong technical payroll expertise, leadership capability, compliance knowledge, analytical thinking, and the ability to operate effectively in a highly regulated and operationally complex environment.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Operations & Administration

• Direct and oversee all payroll operations for multiple companies and business units across several states.
• Ensure accurate and timely processing of weekly, biweekly, and off-cycle payrolls for union and non-union employees.
• Manage payroll activities involving:
• Prevailing wage
• Certified payroll reporting
• Multiple union agreements
• Shift differentials
• Per diem and travel pay
• Bonuses and incentive compensation
• Garnishments and deductions
• Multi-state taxation
• Establish and maintain payroll calendars, controls, procedures, and service standards.
• Ensure payroll records, earnings, deductions, and tax filings are accurate and compliant.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with:
• Federal, state, and local wage and hour laws
• Tax regulations
• Union collective bargaining agreements
• Prevailing wage requirements
• Certified payroll requirements
• Internal company policies and audit standards
• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes affecting payroll operations.
• Lead payroll audits and support internal and external audit requests.
• Partner with HR and Legal on payroll-related investigations, claims, and compliance matters.
• Ensure proper handling of wage attachments, levies, child support orders, and other required deductions.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, develop, and mentor payroll staff and managers.
• Establish clear performance expectations, accountability, and development plans.
• Promote a customer-service-oriented payroll culture focused on accuracy, responsiveness, and continuous improvement.
• Evaluate department structure, staffing, and workflows to improve efficiency and scalability.

Systems, Reporting & Process Improvement

• Serve as the functional lead for payroll systems, upgrades, implementations, and integrations.
• Partner with HRIS, IT, Finance, and vendors to improve automation and reporting capabilities.
• Develop and maintain payroll metrics, reporting dashboards, and analytics.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, strengthen controls, reduce manual work, and improve operational efficiency.
• Support acquisitions, integrations, and organizational changes related to payroll operations.

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Collaborate with HR, Benefits, Finance, Operations, and field leadership to resolve payroll issues and improve processes.
• Provide guidance and support to managers and employees regarding payroll policies, practices, and procedures.
• Support year-end activities, including W-2 processing, audits, reconciliations, and reporting requirements.

What You Bring

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) certification preferred.

Experience

• 8+ years of progressive payroll leadership experience, including management of complex, multi-state payroll operations.
• Experience supporting union and non-union workforces required.
• Experience with construction, industrial, manufacturing, or project-based environments strongly preferred.
• Experience with prevailing wage and certified payroll reporting strongly preferred.
• Experience overseeing payroll across multiple entities or companies preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong knowledge of:
• Multi-state payroll laws and taxation
• Wage and hour compliance
• Union payroll administration
• Prevailing wage regulations
• Certified payroll requirements
• Payroll accounting and reconciliations
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with professionalism and discretion.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities and deadlines.
• Strong systems and technology proficiency, including payroll and HRIS platforms and advanced Excel skills.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic thinking and operational execution
• Accountability and ownership
• Sound judgment and decision-making
• Process improvement mindset
• Collaboration and relationship-building
• Adaptability and responsiveness
• Communication and influence
• Team leadership and employee development

Why Join FDT?

We offer a competitive salary range of $125k -$140k annually depending upon experience, along with a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid holidays
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Career growth in a specialized payroll compliance function

Our Culture

We are looking for professionals who are:

• Dependable
• Detail-oriented
• People-focused
• Achievement-driven

At FDT, our mission is simple: leave things better than we found them - for our employees, our clients, and our communities.

EEO Statement

AIS Infrastructure Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, gender, color, age, sexual orientation, gender identification, national origin, religion, marital status, ancestry, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status, or any other factor prohibited by applicable law.