What are the responsibilities and job description for the Payroll Director position at Robert Half?
Location: Wilmington, DE Hybrid
Employment Type: permanent plus Benefits
About the Role
A 700MM PE-backed company is seeking a Payroll Director to lead the strategy, oversight, and transformation of payroll operations for a multi-state workforce of 3000 employees. This leader will drive process overhauls, system integrations, automation, and compliance enhancements while ensuring timely and accurate payroll delivery in a high-growth environment.
The Payroll Director will be a hands-on leader and strategic partner, collaborating with HR, Finance, Accounting, and Benefits. Success in this role requires expertise in payroll transformations, building and scaling teams, resolving system implementation issues, and leading process improvement initiatives that strengthen scalability, accuracy, and compliance. The ideal person will have a strong background dealing with transitioning an organization from a manual to automated payroll process.
Key Responsibilities
Provide strategic leadership and direction for payroll operations across multiple states.
Lead payroll transformation projects including system implementations, workflow automation, and process redesigns.
Build and manage payroll teams from the ground up while remaining hands-on with complex payroll matters.
Identify and resolve payroll system issues caused by incomplete or inaccurate implementations, ensuring data integrity and functionality.
Oversee full-cycle payroll processing, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local tax regulations.
Serve as the systems expert in ADP Workforce Now, SmartCompliance, and Workday HRIS, managing integrations, reporting, and troubleshooting.
Partner with Finance and Accounting on payroll-related general ledger reconciliations, journal entries, and month-end and year-end close.
Direct compliance efforts including payroll tax filings, regulatory reporting, and audit preparedness.
Advise executive leadership with payroll strategy insights, risk mitigation recommendations, and workforce analytics.
Mentor payroll staff, fostering accountability, detail oriented growth, and continuous improvement.
Lead organizational change management initiatives to support adoption of payroll technologies and policies.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, HR, or related field, or equivalent experience.
Ten or more years of progressive payroll leadership experience, including multi-state workforce oversight.
Proven success in payroll transformations, team building, and system implementations.
Hands-on expertise resolving payroll system issues and correcting inaccurate implementations.
Strong knowledge of US payroll laws, tax regulations, and compliance requirements.
Proficiency with ADP Workforce Now, SmartCompliance, and Workday HRIS with advanced Excel skills including pivot tables and vlookups.
Experience in payroll accounting, reconciliations, and financial reporting.
Ability to partner with executive leadership to drive strategic initiatives.
Strong leadership, communication, and change management skills.
CPP certification preferred.
Why Join Us
Lead payroll transformation at scale in a fast-growing PE-backed company.
High-visibility role with direct impact on compliance, operations, and employee experience.
Build and mentor a payroll team in a growth-driven environment.
Drive improvements by fixing and optimizing payroll systems critical to business success.
Competitive salary, bonus eligibility, and comprehensive benefits
Full Cycle Payroll, Multi-state Payroll, ADP Workforce Now, bi-Monthly Payroll, Payroll - Over 500 Employees, Payroll software, Reconcile Payroll, Special Payroll Deductions, Payroll - Multi-State, Payroll - Manual, Payroll - In-House, Certified Payroll detail oriented (CPP)
Robert Half is the world’s first and largest specialized talent solutions firm that connects highly qualified job seekers to opportunities at great companies. We offer contract, temporary and permanent placement solutions for finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support roles.
Robert Half works to put you in the best position to succeed. We provide access to top jobs, competitive compensation and benefits, and free online training. Stay on top of every opportunity - whenever you choose - even on the go. Download the Robert Half app and get 1-tap apply, notifications of AI-matched jobs, and much more.
All applicants applying for U.S. job openings must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Benefits are available to contract/temporary professionals, including medical, vision, dental, and life and disability insurance. Hired contract/temporary professionals are also eligible to enroll in our company 401(k) plan. Visit roberthalf.gobenefits.net for more information.
© 2025 Robert Half. An Equal Opportunity Employer. M/F/Disability/Veterans. By clicking “Apply Now,” you’re agreeing to Robert Half’s Terms of Use.
Salary : $140,000 - $180,000