Director of Payroll

Director of Payroll (Government Contracting)

Position Overview

A complex organization within the federal government contracting industry is seeking an experienced Payroll Professional to lead its centralized payroll operations. This role is responsible for managing high-volume, in-house payroll processing across multiple legal entities and all 50 states, while ensuring compliance with federal labor regulations and government reporting requirements. The Payroll Manager will partner closely with executive leadership to enhance payroll processes, controls, and system efficiency.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage a centralized payroll team responsible for in-house payroll processing for 10,000 employees across 40 taxable entities and all 50 states
• Oversee payroll setup for new contracts, entities, and acquisitions
• Ensure accurate, timely payroll processing in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations
• Manage payroll operations for employees covered under the Service Contract Act (SCA), Davis-Bacon Act (DBA), and collective bargaining agreements
• Supervise and maintain automated payroll systems, including updates for tax law and regulatory changes
• Establish and enhance payroll system controls, procedures, and internal controls
• Partner with accounting and payroll tax teams on monthly, quarterly, and year-end reconciliations
• Oversee preparation and submission of payroll-related government reporting and filings
• Support year-end processes, including W-2 preparation and reporting of additional income items
• Research and resolve payroll accounting discrepancies and escalated payroll issues
• Coordinate month-end, quarter-end, and year-end payroll close activities
• Drive process improvements to increase efficiency, accuracy, and scalability
• Develop departmental goals, policies, procedures, and workflow standards
• Manage hiring, training, coaching, performance management, and development of payroll staff
• Serve as payroll leadership support in executive-level meetings and audits
• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field
• Prior federal government contracting industry experience required
• Extensive experience supporting employees governed by SCA, DBA, and union agreements
• 7 years of progressive payroll experience
• 5 years of payroll management or leadership experience
• Proven experience running in-house, high-volume, multi-state payrolls
• Strong knowledge of federal and state payroll compliance and government reporting
• Experience with Deltek Costpoint and Deltek T&E strongly preferred
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and process improvement capabilities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage tight deadlines and operate effectively in a fast-paced environment

Why This Opportunity:

• Lead payroll operations at significant scale and complexity
• High visibility role partnering with executive leadership
• Opportunity to improve systems, controls, and processes in a mission-critical function
• Stable environment with long-term growth and leadership impact