Job Description

Title: Director of Payroll

Compensation: $165,000 - $185,000 + Bonus

Location: Santa Ana, CA

Email your word document resume to HeatherS@ConexusRecruiting.com and reference the subject as Director of Payroll

Position Overview:

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Director of Payroll to lead and optimize all payroll operations for our organization. This role oversees payroll processing for 2,000+ employees and directly manages a team of 6 payroll professionals. The Director will ensure accurate, compliant, and timely payroll execution while driving continuous improvement across systems, processes, and internal controls.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee end-to-end payroll processing for 2,000+ employees across multiple locations, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and regulatory compliance.
• Manage, support, and develop a team of 6 payroll staff, fostering collaboration and high performance.
• Review and approve payroll runs, adjustments, garnishments, bonuses, and off-cycle payments.
• Maintain and enforce payroll policies, procedures, workflows, and internal controls.
• Serve as the primary payroll subject matter expert for leadership, HR, finance, and employees.
• Partner closely with HR and Finance to ensure seamless integration of employee data, benefits, and reporting.
• Coach and mentor team members, supporting their growth and optimizing team effectiveness.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour laws, tax regulations, and reporting requirements.
• Oversee year-end processes including W-2s, audits, reconciliations, and tax filings.
• Proactively identify compliance risks and implement corrective action when needed.
• Optimize payroll systems, processes, and workflows to improve efficiency and scalability.
• Lead system enhancements, updates, testing, and integrations.
• Maintain accurate documentation of payroll procedures and standard operating processes.
• Leverage data and analytics to monitor payroll performance and identify opportunities for improvement.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, HR, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 7+ years of progressive payroll experience, including 3+ years in a leadership role.
• Proven experience overseeing payroll for 2,000+ employees in a multi-state environment.
• Strong understanding of payroll tax regulations, wage and hour laws, and compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated success managing and developing a payroll team of 5+ direct reports.
• Proficiency with modern payroll systems (e.g., Dayforce, ADP, UKG), with the ability to optimize and streamline processes.
• Exceptional attention to detail, organizational skills, and analytical problem-solving.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Email your word document resume to HeatherS@ConexusRecruiting.com and reference the subject as Director of Payroll

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