Associate Director of Payroll

Overview

A consulting, engineering, and construction services firm with a strong national presence is seeking an Associate Director of Payroll. This role involves leading and supporting daily payroll operations, developing payroll processes, overseeing reporting and compliance, mentoring team members, and serving as a payroll subject matter expert.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and mentor the payroll team, including reviewing work and providing training.
• Act as the primary contact for payroll-related inquiries from senior leadership, department heads, employees, external accountants, and payroll vendors.
• Analyze payroll data and prepare routine and ad hoc reports such as PTO, labor, and Department of Labor statistics.
• Ensure accurate and timely submission of monthly, quarterly, and annual payroll and labor reports.
• Develop, document, and maintain repeatable payroll processes to ensure accuracy, consistency, compliance, and efficiency.
• Oversee payroll-related financial close activities including journal entries, reconciliations, expense reporting, special payments, and entity setup.
• Monitor payroll and wage laws to maintain compliance with tax, wage, overtime, PTO, and benefits requirements.
• Review and recommend improvements to payroll, deduction, and tax procedures aligned with best practices.
• Ensure timely payroll tax deposits, tax filings, year-end processes, and W-2 distribution.
• Support account registration for withholding, unemployment, and other payroll-related taxes across applicable jurisdictions.
• Prepare and submit workers’ compensation returns for monopolistic states.
• Collaborate with Finance, Accounting, Human Resources, and leadership to ensure payroll accuracy and alignment with business needs.
• Maintain strict confidentiality when handling sensitive employee and payroll information.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or higher in Human Resources, Accounting, Business, or related field preferred; equivalent education and relevant experience considered.
• Minimum 10 years of payroll experience, including leadership or management of a payroll team.
• Experience managing multi-state payroll tax jurisdictions required.
• Professional payroll certifications such as CPP, CPM, or CPS preferred.
• Experience with ADP Workforce Now or similar payroll systems highly preferred.
• Experience with Deltek Vision or other ERP systems preferred.
• Strong skills in Microsoft Excel, reporting, and data analysis.
• Deep understanding of payroll compliance, payroll tax, wage and hour laws, deductions, benefits-related payroll processes, and audit requirements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and lead with discretion, accuracy, and professionalism.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive compensation packages with annual bonuses, spot bonuses, and peer recognition awards.
• 401(k) match of 1:1 up to 4% of compensation.
• Tuition assistance and student loan repayment programs.
• Paid licensing and certification fees and renewals, with financial rewards for obtaining licensure.
• Employee referral bonuses.
• Annual wellness reimbursement for fitness-related expenses.
• Dependent care match.

Work/Life Balance

• Generous paid time off.
• Paid parental leave.
• Flexible work schedules available for some positions.
• Tenure awards including travel vouchers.

Health & Wellness Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Family planning and IVF benefits.
• Pet insurance.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options.
• Employer-paid long-term disability (LTD), short-term disability (STD), and life insurance.
• Supplemental benefits covering accident, hospitalization, and critical illness.
• Member assistance program offering counseling, legal, financial consultations, and work/life referral services.

Location

Not specified.