Payroll Director - Managed HR Services (Madison)

OverviewBaker Tilly is a leading advisory, tax and assurance firm, providing clients with a genuine coast-to-coast and global advantage in major regions of the U.S. and in many of the world’s leading financial centers – New York, London, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and Boston. Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP and Baker Tilly US, LLP (Baker Tilly) provide professional services through an alternative practice structure in accordance with the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and applicable laws, regulations and professional standards. Baker Tilly US, LLP is a licensed independent CPA firm that provides attest services to its clients. Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP and its subsidiary entities provide tax and business advisory services to their clients. Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP and its subsidiary entities are not licensed CPA firms.Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP and Baker Tilly US, LLP, trading as Baker Tilly, are independent members of Baker Tilly International, a worldwide network of independent accounting and business advisory firms in 141 territories, with 43,000 professionals and a combined worldwide revenue of $5.2 billion. Visit bakertilly.com or join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.Please discuss the work location status with your Baker Tilly talent acquisition professional to understand the requirements for an opportunity you are exploring.Baker Tilly is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable federal, state or local law.Any unsolicited resumes submitted through our website or to Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP, employee e-mail accounts are considered property of Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP, and are not subject to payment of agency fees. In order to be an authorized recruitment agency (search firm) for Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP, there must be a formal written agreement in place and the agency must be invited, by Baker Tilly's Talent Attraction team, to submit candidates for review via our applicant tracking system.Job Description:Position SummaryThe Payroll Director will serve as a senior leader within Managed HR Services, reporting to the Principal of MS HRS Payroll & HR. This individual will be responsible for overseeing payroll operations, leading a team of 10–15 professionals, driving revenue growth, and shaping the strategic direction of payroll services. The role requires deep functional payroll expertise, strong leadership, and the ability to build scalable systems, processes, and client solutions.Key ResponsibilitiesLeadership & Team ManagementLead, develop, and manage a team of payroll associates, implementation specialists, and managers (10–15 team members)Establish clear performance expectations, accountability, and development plansFoster a high-performing, collaborative, and client-focused culture across a distributed teamProvide leadership in managing remote teams effectively and efficientlyClient Delivery & Operational ExcellenceOversee end-to-end payroll service delivery, including processing, review / support, compliance, issue resolution, and client communicationEnsure timely response and resolution of payroll issues, aligning with service expectations (e.g., rapid response for critical issues)Maintain high standards of payroll accuracy, compliance, and client satisfaction across all engagementsPartner with implementation teams to ensure seamless onboarding, system configuration, and payroll transitionsSystems, Implementation & Process DesignLead payroll system implementations, including configuration, data migration, testing, and go-live execution Design, build, and optimize scalable payroll processes and operational workflowsIdentify opportunities to streamline manual processes and improve efficiency through technology and automationCollaborate with internal and external technology partners (including ADP and Intuit) to optimize system performance and integrationsTechnology & InnovationLeverage payroll technologies, including ADP platforms (RUN and Workforce Now preferred), to deliver scalable client solutionsDrive adoption of emerging tools, including AI-enabled capabilities, to improve payroll accuracy, efficiency, and insightsEnsure alignment between payroll systems, HRIS platforms, and financial integrationsGrowth & Strategic DevelopmentSupport and drive payroll revenue growth through client expansion, cross-sell opportunities, and service enhancementsIdentify and develop new market segments and client demographics for payroll servicesContribute to go-to-market strategy, service offerings, and pricing approachesPartner with firm leadership on long-term strategy and scaling the payroll practiceClient Relationship ManagementServe as a senior escalation point and trusted advisor for key client relationshipsEnsure strong communication, transparency, and responsiveness in all client interactionsDeliver consultative insights to clients related to payroll operations, compliance, and system optimizationQualificationsRequiredBachelors degreeCertified Payroll Professional (CPP)Twelve (12) plus years of progressive payroll experience3–5+ years of people management experienceDeep functional knowledge of payroll operations, compliance, and multi-state payroll requirementsProven ability to lead teams and manage complex payroll environmentsExperience building systems, processes, and operational infrastructure from scratchStrong ability to operate autonomously and make independent decisionsPreferredExperience with Intuit and ADP payroll platforms, including ADP RUN and ADP Workforce NowBackground in a consulting or outsourced services environmentExperience managing payroll implementations across diverse client environmentsFamiliarity with integrating payroll with HRIS, timekeeping, benefits, and financial systemsExperience leveraging AI or advanced tools to enhance payroll processesSuccess ProfileThe ideal candidate is:Strategic yet hands-onHighly organized and execution-orientedAdaptable and responsive to changing client and market needsComfortable operating in ambiguity and building structure where none existsFocused on quality, scalability, and continuous improvementWhy This Role MattersThis role is critical to scaling the payroll function, enhancing service delivery, and positioning the firm for growth across new client segments. The Payroll Director will play a central role in shaping the future of payroll services and delivering measurable business impact.The pay rate range for this job position is $116,000 to $345,330. Actual compensation is influenced by a variety of relevant factors including but not limited to applicant’s skills, prior experience, qualifications, degrees, professional certifications, work arrangements and geographic location. Baker Tilly offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package to eligible employees.SummaryLocation: USA PA Pittsburgh; USA PA Philadelphia; USA WI Milwaukee; USA TX Dallas 14555 Dallas Parkway; USA TX Frisco; Madison, WIType: Full time