What are the responsibilities and job description for the National Payroll Director position at Fres-co System USA, Inc.?
Department: Accounting/Finance
Location: Chicago, IL
The National Payroll Director is responsible for leading and managing payroll operations across the organization. This role ensures accurate and timely payroll processing across multiple jurisdictions while maintaining compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. The Director oversees key systems such as ADP and CMiC, manages the payroll department and drives continuous improvement in payroll processes to align with organizational goals.
Reporting Relationship
This position reports directly to the Chief Human Resources Officer and collaborates with Human Resources, as well as the National Accounting and Administration departments.
Key Responsibilities
• Lead and manage all payroll functions and employee types (hourly, salaried, union, and non-union).
• Ensure timely and accurate processing of weekly, and special payrolls, including bonuses, and out-of-cycle payments.
• Establish and enforce standardized payroll policies, procedures, and controls across the organization.
• Maintain compliance with all federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations.
• Oversee accurate deduction and funding of benefits, garnishments, union dues, retirement plans (401k &ESOP), and other withholdings.
• Lead the implementation, optimization, and integration of payroll systems – ADP, CMiC, and Riskcast
• Oversee the preparation of payroll reports for audits, executive leadership, and regulatory filings.
• Direct internal and external audits, including union, 401k, ESOP, etc.
• Manage the relationship with external payroll vendors and service providers.
• Analyze payroll data for trends, cost management, and continuous improvement opportunities.
• Develop, mentor, train, and supervise payroll staff within the department.
• Monitor legislative changes and implement payroll process adjustments as needed.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Essential Skills
Technical
• Proficiency with ADP, CMiC, and Riskcast.
• Knowledge of jurisdiction specific regulations and union payroll requirements.
• Deep understanding of federal, state, and local payroll laws.
• Ability to maintain clean, auditable data and produce detailed custom payroll and compliance reports.
• Proficiency in managing benefit deductions, tax jurisdictions, and year-end tax reporting.
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve technical issues.
Business and Management
• Ability to build, lead, and develop a high-performing centralized payroll team.
• Skilled in managing payroll strategies (system implementations, audits, process improvements).
• Experience standardizing and enforcing payroll procedures and controls.
• Leads internal/external payroll, union, 401k, and ESOP audits.
• Strong organizational and time-management abilities.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple deadlines.
• Basic understanding of business operations and workflows.
Interpersonal
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate with diverse teams.
• Professional demeanor and customer service orientation.
Personal
• Maintains strict confidentiality around employee compensation and sensitive data.
• Detail-oriented and self-motivated.
• High degree of integrity and accountability.
• Willingness to learn and adapt in a dynamic environment.
Benefits
100% ESOP
Competitive Pay
Bonus Program
Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
PTO/Sick
100% Life Insurance
401(K) with Match
Student Debt Program
Physical Demands:
Performance of the required duties will require physical ability to climb permanent and temporary stairs, passenger use of construction personnel hoists, ability to climb ladders and negotiate work areas under construction. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Performing this job requires use of hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls, sit, talk and hear, stand, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work Environment:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works on-site at the construction work site where the employee is exposed to moving mechanical parts, high precarious places, fumes or airborne particles, outside weather conditions and risk of electrical shock. The noise in these work environments is usually moderate to very loud.
These are considered the core responsibilities of the position. Employees are encouraged to reach beyond their current responsibilities in an effort to foster professional growth, but only as they are able to remain accountable for their core responsibilities.
Equal Employment:
W.E. O’Neil is committed to an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants and will make all employment-related decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability or veteran status.
About W.E. O'Neil Construction
Building Great Relationships since 1925! 100% employee-owned general contractor. We build nationally, with locations in AZ, CA, CO, IL, TN, and TX.
W.E. O'Neil Construction has seen steady growth since its founding in 1925 in Chicago by the O'Neil family. Now 100% employee-owned (ESOP), we embrace people as our number one asset.
Our award-winning teams are recognized as industry leaders. Our longevity can be attributed to our excellent staff of professionals, our integrity, our commitment to customer satisfaction, and our ability to embrace technology. Our combination of the financial strength of a large national contractor and the responsiveness of a small company brings the best of both worlds to our clients.
Our experience covers virtually every commercial market sector using a broad range of project delivery methods including design-build, design assist, construction management at risk and lump sum bid.