Director of Payroll

The Director of Payroll is accountable for the governance, oversight and leadership of all aspects of payroll. This includes working with the team to lead day-to-day payroll and timekeeping operations, providing project management, and supporting payroll tax & accounting and internal/external audit requirements. This role drives continuous improvements in the operational efficiency of payroll through strong leadership and communication, analyzing processes and trends, and leveraging existing and emerging technology. How You Will Contribute To Our Team Payroll Plan and direct all elements of payroll, including all cash and non‑cash compensation processing. Accountable for the financial regulatory integrity of the payroll process. Lead, mentor and develop payroll team responsible for bi‑weekly, multi‑state payroll. This includes providing professional growth and development opportunities and creating an environment of service, knowledge, and accountability. Establish team goals, objectives, and standards, including measuring progress and providing critical feedback. Direct the compiling, tabulation, and balancing of Federal, FICA, state and unemployment taxes. Ensure compliance in garnishment processing, including reporting and agency interaction. Collaborate with HRIS team to ensure payroll and timekeeping systems and their processes are properly set up and maintained to comply with existing and changing tax, garnishment, all wage and hour federal/state/local guidelines, as well as collectively bargained time and absence provisions. Partner with Operations, Human Resources senior leadership, and Accounting teams to review cross‑departmental impacts and implement best practices. Oversee all aspects of payroll accounting, including general ledger posting and balance sheet reconciliations of accrued payroll and tax liabilities, and other miscellaneous as assigned. Partner with HRIS on the configuration of the company timekeeping system. Ensure employee timekeeping training and resources are in place and maintained. Oversight of General Payroll Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); makes and communicates updates as needed. Maintains awareness of current practices in payroll processing and keeps the various departments within the Company informed about changes in all current payroll and tax regulations, laws and policies. Responsible for the accounting and all monthly/quarterly/annual accounting close requirements for payroll. Oversee payroll tax and payroll processing services with third‑party outsourcing partners. Ensure compliance with payroll tax filings and related returns, year‑end preparation and the issuing of W‑2 forms accurately and within established deadlines. Implement and report on key metrics to monitor, manage and improve quality and efficiency. Provide reporting on payroll and timekeeping KPIs. Detailed working knowledge and technical mastery of complex compliance and regulatory requirements for multi‑state payroll processing. Leadership Provide direction, coaching, and mentoring of assigned team members, leading the team to respond to pay, benefit, payroll tax, and compensation inquiries from management, associates, and outside agencies. Lead the development and achievement of team‑specific, department, and organizational goals. Leads with and role models a focus on collaboration and responsiveness. Lead with a project management mindset, being flexible and nimble in recognizing and adjusting to necessary changes in supporting the organization, maintaining control of overall agenda and including others as appropriate to drive project completion and provide developmental opportunities for others. Create disciplined processes with emphasis on leveraging Waterton approved technology as extensively as possible. Proactively participate in establishing and managing the annual budget. Bring a strong ethical approach to execution of work and leadership, modeling careful and conservative, detail‑oriented approaches to work in accordance with company standards and federal/state regulations, make decisions carefully and cautiously within the guidelines of established company policy. Model a strong and practical sense of urgency, driving completion for own and team’s work with accuracy and in accordance with company standards and policies. Leverage persuasive collaboration and communication skills to engage productively with direct team members, the entire HR team, senior leadership, and all other colleagues. Partner with HR Leadership Team, Finance, and other business stakeholders on cross‑functional projects. Partner and lead activities and events that support Waterton’s culture and philanthropic activities as assigned. #J-18808-Ljbffr