Director of Payroll Jobs
Director of Payroll jobs are open across healthcare, manufacturing, financial services, retail, and technology, at levels from senior payroll manager to VP of Payroll, with specializations in multi-state compliance, payroll system implementation, and workforce analytics. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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- PrismHR is the leading payroll, benefits, and HR software for Human Resource Outsourcing (HRO) organizations, including Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs) and Administrative Service Organizations (ASOs).
- Powering more than 80,000+ companies, 2.5 million worksite employees, and $85 billion in payroll processed annually.
- The PrismHR platform is a complete, integrated HR solution supporting the full "hire-to-retire" lifecycle of HR services.
- Additional resources include the PrismHR SEEDS sales and marketing program, the annual PrismHR LIVE Conference, and ongoing learning opportunities designed to help customers grow their business.
- The Payroll Manager of HCM is responsible for ensuring their team of specialists provide excellent client support and achieve personal career goals.
- Drive client retention and loyalty by ensuring the pod works effectively, strategically engaging with clients, and monitoring key client success metrics.
- Drive continuous improvement across the team and identify areas for improvement from a bigger-picture perspective.
- Monitor overall team success metrics (ticket closure, CSAT, SLA pass rate, phone metrics, etc.) and identify improvement projects (e.g., individual performance coaching, team training on specific ticket types).
- Ensure client readiness for key HCM milestones, especially around quarter-end and year-end processes.
- Promote product adoption and client engagement through daily interactions and partnership with the Client Relations team.
- Monitor client health and contract statuses in partnership with the Client Relations team.
- Act as an escalation point for clients, using problem-solving and de-escalation techniques to improve client experience.
- Conduct root-cause analysis to prevent recurring issues.
- Assist in onboarding new hires and performance-manage team members to ensure expectations are met.
- Regular attendance at the assigned work location for our corporate office locations is an essential job function. For team members located in or near the Chandler, AZ or Duluth, GA offices, this is an in-office position.
- Build, maintain, and promote relationships with team members and clients to ensure effective coordination of communications and services.
- Contribute to departmental initiatives, strategic planning, and organizational improvement projects.
- Attend webinars and training to stay current on best practices related to the company and department.
- Complete projects and other duties as assigned by manager.
- In-depth knowledge of customer service best practices to ensure consistent, high-quality support across all channels.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously while maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Advanced problem-solving and analytical skills focused on resolving issues efficiently and accurately.
- Highly adaptable in fast-paced environments and able to respond to shifting priorities and business needs.
- Sound decision-making abilities, including evaluating complex information and determining appropriate actions.
- Maintain professionalism and composure when working with a variety of personalities and situations.
- A flexible, team-oriented self-starter who thrives in a startup-like environment.
- Strong escalation management and innovative problem-solving skills with a creative approach to overcoming challenges.
- Coachable, open to feedback for continuous improvement, and willing to share process enhancement insights.
- Able to give feedback to others on performance concerns.
- Experience with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Excel, PowerPoint) and ability to learn other applications as needed.
- Effective time management, accurate record-keeping, and ability to ensure payroll tasks are completed according to schedules and compliance requirements.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills to collaborate across teams and interact professionally at all levels.
- Analytical thinking to troubleshoot payroll issues, interpret data, and determine appropriate solutions quickly and confidently.
- Demonstrated ability to exercise good judgment when evaluating situations, identifying problems, and determining action.
- High school diploma or related experience required; equivalent combinations of experience, skills, or education (including non-traditional degree programs or job training programs) are preferred.
- 1 year in a client support or customer service role.
- 1 year of experience leading a team.
- Physical Demands:
- Sedentary work: occasionally involves sitting for extended periods at a desk or computer.
- Manual dexterity: frequent use of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and office equipment.
- Mobility: occasionally walking around the office to meet with leaders and colleagues.
- Visual acuity: ability to read and analyze data on a computer screen or printed materials (or with reasonable accommodation).
- Lifting & carrying: minimal physical lifting; may involve handling documents and light office supplies.
- Mental Demands:
- Strategic thinking: requires high concentration to develop and implement strategies.
- Decision making: ability to make quick, informed decisions.
- Attention to detail: high accuracy needed for managing presentations, reports, and communications.
- Problem-solving: continuous need to identify and resolve issues impacting performance.
- Multitasking: manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously, often under tight deadlines.
- Stress management: ability to handle high-pressure situations calmly and effectively, especially when dealing with client concerns.
- Communication Demands:
- Interpersonal skills: ability to build relationships and communicate effectively with employees, managers, clients, and external vendors.
- Cultural sensitivity: communicate with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, demonstrating awareness and sensitivity.
- Written communication: prepare clear and concise documentation, including emails and notes.
- Verbal communication: conduct presentations and employee training; provide clear instructions and support to clients, employees, and managers.
- Health insurance: medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- Retirement plan: 401(k) with company match.
- Paid time off: PTO, holidays, parental leave, and sick leave as required by applicable state law.
- Other benefits: life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, employee assistance program (EAP), flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), identity theft protection, critical illness, accident, cancer, hospital protection, legal and pet insurance.
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We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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Who's Hiring


Top Industries Hiring
- Education
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in director of payroll jobs.
- 7 or more years of progressive payroll experience, including at least 2 in a leadership role
- Proficiency with enterprise payroll systems such as ADP Workforce Now, Ceridian Dayforce, or UKG
- Deep knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations and multi-state filing requirements
- CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) certification from the American Payroll Association
- Experience managing payroll for a workforce of 1,000 or more employees across multiple jurisdictions
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, human resources, or a related field
Tips for Your Director of Payroll Job Search
Quantify payroll volume on your resume
Hiring managers want to see the scale you've managed. State the number of employees in your payroll cycle, the frequency, and the states covered. Directors who've run payroll for 5,000-plus employees across multiple states stand out from those who list only software names.
Highlight multi-state compliance experience specifically
Many director of payroll postings screen for multi-state tax compliance and wage-and-hour law knowledge. Call out the specific states you've filed in and any experience with reciprocal agreements, state-specific garnishment rules, or year-end W-2 reconciliation at scale.
Lead with your payroll system migrations
Employers at the director level often need someone who can manage or oversee a system change. If you've led a migration from one platform to another, make that a headline achievement on your resume, not a buried bullet under daily responsibilities.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists director of payroll openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Prepare for a technical compliance interview round
Director of payroll interviews frequently include scenario questions on overtime calculations, retroactive pay corrections, and IRS deposit schedules. Rehearse walking through a real compliance problem you resolved, including the root cause, your decision, and the outcome.
Negotiate total comp using payroll-specific leverage
When negotiating, frame your value in terms of compliance risk reduced and audit exposure avoided. Directors who can speak to the cost of a payroll error or a failed audit tend to have stronger negotiating positions than those who rely on market rate comparisons alone.
Director of Payroll Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most director of payrolls?
The most active employers for director of payrolls right now are Distro, Haga Kommer, and BNY, and the most openings are in New York, Georgia, and Texas, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Healthcare systems, large retailers, and professional services firms tend to post at this level most consistently.
How many director of payroll jobs are remote?
About 80% of director of payroll openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting strong employer flexibility at the senior level. Roles focused on payroll system administration and compliance reporting tend to be most remote-eligible, while positions tied to HR leadership teams or in-person workforce oversight are more likely to require on-site presence.
How do you become a director of payroll?
Most directors of payroll build toward the role by starting in payroll processing or coordination, then moving into a payroll manager position where they gain multi-state compliance experience and team leadership responsibility. Earning a CPP certification from the American Payroll Association strengthens your candidacy significantly. From there, taking ownership of a full payroll cycle, managing a system implementation, or leading an audit response are the experiences that typically open the door to director-level hiring.
Can you get a director of payroll job with limited senior experience?
Getting hired as a director of payroll without prior director-level experience is possible if you've managed a large, complex payroll function as a senior manager or led a high-stakes project like a system conversion or a multi-state expansion. Employers care more about the scope of what you've run than the title you held. Gaps in experience are easier to close if you hold a CPP certification and can point to measurable outcomes, such as reducing error rates or improving compliance reporting.
What does the director of payroll interview process look like?
The director of payroll interview process typically moves through an initial screening call with HR, a technical interview focused on compliance scenarios and system knowledge, and a final round with senior finance or HR leadership. Expect questions on how you've handled payroll discrepancies, managed audits, or led a team through a system change. Some employers add a case study or ask you to review a mock payroll register and identify issues.
Where can I find and apply to director of payroll jobs?
You can find and apply to director of payroll jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience and location preferences, then apply directly to each one that fits.
See All 25 Director of Payroll Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Director of Payroll Jobs