Director of Payroll Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Director of Payroll roles qualify as specialty occupations under H-1B visa, making employer sponsorship achievable for candidates with a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field. Many large employers file LCAs regularly for this title, and the role's compliance-heavy nature often makes PERM labor certification a realistic path to permanent residence.
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Get Access To All JobsLicense and Certification Qualifications:
- Must hold or be eligible for a valid Georgia Educator's Certificate in Educational Leadership and/or Support Personnel License issued by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission Required
- Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification issued from the American Payroll Association Preferred
Education Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree in related field Required
- Master's Degree in related field Preferred
Experience Qualifications:
- 5 years of progressively responsible experience, including supervisory responsibilities, in business administration or a related field Required
Skills Qualifications:
- High degree of skill in oral and written communications
- High degree of skill in organization and problem-solving
- Demonstrated leadership experience
- Strong knowledge of applicable payroll taxes, laws, and regulations
- Exceptional ability to communicate and work with others in an effective manner
- Ability to make executive decisions to ensure timely and accurate payrolls
- Ability to effectively analyze information and respond to questions
- Ability to understand the Payroll Services Department's role in the overall school system program
- Ability to effectively work with employees, the public, school administration, the business community, and regulatory agencies
- Ability to effectively present information to top management, school system employees, public groups, and the Board of Education
Primary Responsibilities:
Direct all activities and processes associated with providing quality payroll services in support of the vision, mission, and goals of the Gwinnett County Public Schools.
- Provide administrative leadership to the Payroll Services Department
- Direct and lead managers and staff within the department.
- Develop and administer department budgets.
- Conduct interim and final performance evaluations for direct reports.
- Seek and promote professional development opportunities for all staff within the department.
- Oversee the hiring process for all employees within the department, staffing the department with the most qualified, available personnel and utilizing all personnel in the most effective manner to maximize resources.
- Advise the Executive Director of Financial Services of pertinent details of interaction between the department and other departments, schools, and agencies.
- Direct payroll policy and procedure annual updates.
- Review, research, and revise current payroll policies and procedures.
- Research and develop new payroll policies and procedures as needed.
- Ensure that policies and procedures align with federal, state, and local mandates and they support the needs of the district.
- Oversee program development and implementation initiatives for the Payroll Services Department.
- Identify and analyze strategic employee payroll program needs of the district.
- Plan and develop employee payroll programs with a goal of achieving accurate and timely payrolls.
- Conduct continuous reviews of current payroll programs dealing with outside agencies.
- Ensure that the strategic payroll needs of the district are met.
- Direct and lead customer support and service for the department.
- Maintain effective contact with employees, school administrators, upper management, and the Board of Education.
- Provide supervisory problem resolution and communication processes to all employees.
- Recommend changes in the Payroll Services Department processes to add value and increase customer satisfaction.
- Assess customer service satisfaction and provide information to lead the Payroll Services Department in continuous improvement.
- Ensure that all employees are properly paid and given accurate and clear information regarding their pay.
- Direct processing of all payrolls for the district.
- Direct the preparation of monthly, semi-monthly, miscellaneous, substitute, disability, and Gwinnett Retirement System (GRS) payroll.
- Plan the monthly schedule to ensure promptness of leave accounting and payroll activities.
- Direct and organize issuance of all payrolls.
- Ensure that all employees are properly paid and that payrolls are processed in an efficient and effective manner.
- Direct all reporting for the payroll accounting system.
- Control net payroll benefit and tax transfers.
- Ensure proper processing of all deductions of levies, garnishments, and bankruptcies.
- Ensure that staff prepares and meets the compliance of year-end reports, W-2's, 1095-C's and 1099-R's.
- Ensure that data reported is accurate.
- Direct the leave accounting system.
- Direct and implement all changes to employee's leave.
- Direct the substitute payroll as part of the leave accounting system.
- Direct the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) payroll as part of the leave accounting system.
- Control and maintain all history and maintenance of the leave accounting system.
- Ensure all employee time is processed in accordance with federal and other applicable policies and that employees are fairly paid for work performed.
- Promote the Payroll Services Department as a vital part of the financial support system.
- Direct payroll activity with schools, divisions, departments, offices, and outside agencies.
- Maintain clear communication with the Human Resources and Technology and Innovation Divisions as required.
- Research employee problems/questions and offer viable solutions.
- Evaluate the payroll process and work with the Executive Director of Financial Services to implement revisions and improvements.
- Ensure that the Payroll Services Department supports the vision, mission, and goals of the district.
- Direct processing of the GRS payroll.
- Plan the monthly schedule to ensure timely issuance of retirement and long-term disability payroll.
- Review and approve monthly pre-listing and payroll load.
- Supervise and review the preparation of year-end reports and internal revenue forms 1099-R.
- Ensure that all retirees are paid in an accurate and timely fashion.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit for extended periods of time. The employee is also required to talk, hear, stand, and walk. The employee may be required to use hands to touch, handle, feel, and/or reach. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The employee is required to operate a motor vehicle in performance of duties. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
License and Certification Qualifications:
- Must hold or be eligible for a valid Georgia Educator's Certificate in Educational Leadership and/or Support Personnel License issued by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission Required
- Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification issued from the American Payroll Association Preferred
Education Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree in related field Required
- Master's Degree in related field Preferred
Experience Qualifications:
- 5 years of progressively responsible experience, including supervisory responsibilities, in business administration or a related field Required
Skills Qualifications:
- High degree of skill in oral and written communications
- High degree of skill in organization and problem-solving
- Demonstrated leadership experience
- Strong knowledge of applicable payroll taxes, laws, and regulations
- Exceptional ability to communicate and work with others in an effective manner
- Ability to make executive decisions to ensure timely and accurate payrolls
- Ability to effectively analyze information and respond to questions
- Ability to understand the Payroll Services Department's role in the overall school system program
- Ability to effectively work with employees, the public, school administration, the business community, and regulatory agencies
- Ability to effectively present information to top management, school system employees, public groups, and the Board of Education
Primary Responsibilities:
Direct all activities and processes associated with providing quality payroll services in support of the vision, mission, and goals of the Gwinnett County Public Schools.
- Provide administrative leadership to the Payroll Services Department
- Direct and lead managers and staff within the department.
- Develop and administer department budgets.
- Conduct interim and final performance evaluations for direct reports.
- Seek and promote professional development opportunities for all staff within the department.
- Oversee the hiring process for all employees within the department, staffing the department with the most qualified, available personnel and utilizing all personnel in the most effective manner to maximize resources.
- Advise the Executive Director of Financial Services of pertinent details of interaction between the department and other departments, schools, and agencies.
- Direct payroll policy and procedure annual updates.
- Review, research, and revise current payroll policies and procedures.
- Research and develop new payroll policies and procedures as needed.
- Ensure that policies and procedures align with federal, state, and local mandates and they support the needs of the district.
- Oversee program development and implementation initiatives for the Payroll Services Department.
- Identify and analyze strategic employee payroll program needs of the district.
- Plan and develop employee payroll programs with a goal of achieving accurate and timely payrolls.
- Conduct continuous reviews of current payroll programs dealing with outside agencies.
- Ensure that the strategic payroll needs of the district are met.
- Direct and lead customer support and service for the department.
- Maintain effective contact with employees, school administrators, upper management, and the Board of Education.
- Provide supervisory problem resolution and communication processes to all employees.
- Recommend changes in the Payroll Services Department processes to add value and increase customer satisfaction.
- Assess customer service satisfaction and provide information to lead the Payroll Services Department in continuous improvement.
- Ensure that all employees are properly paid and given accurate and clear information regarding their pay.
- Direct processing of all payrolls for the district.
- Direct the preparation of monthly, semi-monthly, miscellaneous, substitute, disability, and Gwinnett Retirement System (GRS) payroll.
- Plan the monthly schedule to ensure promptness of leave accounting and payroll activities.
- Direct and organize issuance of all payrolls.
- Ensure that all employees are properly paid and that payrolls are processed in an efficient and effective manner.
- Direct all reporting for the payroll accounting system.
- Control net payroll benefit and tax transfers.
- Ensure proper processing of all deductions of levies, garnishments, and bankruptcies.
- Ensure that staff prepares and meets the compliance of year-end reports, W-2's, 1095-C's and 1099-R's.
- Ensure that data reported is accurate.
- Direct the leave accounting system.
- Direct and implement all changes to employee's leave.
- Direct the substitute payroll as part of the leave accounting system.
- Direct the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) payroll as part of the leave accounting system.
- Control and maintain all history and maintenance of the leave accounting system.
- Ensure all employee time is processed in accordance with federal and other applicable policies and that employees are fairly paid for work performed.
- Promote the Payroll Services Department as a vital part of the financial support system.
- Direct payroll activity with schools, divisions, departments, offices, and outside agencies.
- Maintain clear communication with the Human Resources and Technology and Innovation Divisions as required.
- Research employee problems/questions and offer viable solutions.
- Evaluate the payroll process and work with the Executive Director of Financial Services to implement revisions and improvements.
- Ensure that the Payroll Services Department supports the vision, mission, and goals of the district.
- Direct processing of the GRS payroll.
- Plan the monthly schedule to ensure timely issuance of retirement and long-term disability payroll.
- Review and approve monthly pre-listing and payroll load.
- Supervise and review the preparation of year-end reports and internal revenue forms 1099-R.
- Ensure that all retirees are paid in an accurate and timely fashion.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit for extended periods of time. The employee is also required to talk, hear, stand, and walk. The employee may be required to use hands to touch, handle, feel, and/or reach. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The employee is required to operate a motor vehicle in performance of duties. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
See all Director of Payroll Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Director of Payroll roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Director of Payroll Jobs
Frame your credentials around specialty occupation
USCIS requires that your degree field directly relates to payroll leadership. A degree in accounting, finance, HR management, or business administration with a payroll concentration strengthens your specialty occupation argument more than a general management background.
Use OFLC Wage Search before salary negotiations
Your employer must pay at least the prevailing wage certified on the LCA. Pull the OFLC Wage Search for your metro area and experience level before you receive an offer, so you can flag any gap before the DOL certification stage.
Target employers with multi-state payroll complexity
Companies operating payroll across dozens of states or internationally need directors who can manage compliance at scale. These employers file LCAs more routinely because the specialized nature of the role is easier for them to justify to USCIS.
Find verified sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate
Search Director of Payroll roles on Migrate Mate, which lists employers with verified LCA filing history by role and location, so you're applying to companies that have already demonstrated willingness to sponsor rather than guessing from job descriptions.
Get PERM labor certification started early
If your goal is permanent residence via EB-2 or EB-3, your employer must file PERM with DOL before your six-year H-1B limit approaches. Payroll director roles typically require recruitment documentation proving no qualified U.S. workers applied, so your employer needs several months of lead time.
Clarify the LCA filing timeline with HR before accepting
Some companies assume payroll directors are exempt from sponsorship complexity because the role is internal-facing. Confirm that HR knows the LCA must be filed with DOL and certified before USCIS can receive the I-129, so there's no delay after you accept the offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Director of Payroll role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, in most cases. USCIS evaluates whether the position normally requires at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related field. For a Director of Payroll overseeing multi-state compliance, tax reporting, and systems like SAP or Workday, employers can credibly argue the role requires a degree in accounting, finance, or a closely related discipline. Generic payroll coordinator roles face more scrutiny; a director-level title with documented complexity strengthens the petition significantly.
Which visa types do employers typically use to sponsor a Director of Payroll?
H-1B is the most common path, covering an initial period of up to three years, extendable to six. Australian nationals can pursue the E-3 visa, which follows the same specialty occupation standard but isn't subject to the H-1B lottery. For candidates already in the U.S. in a qualifying status, a change of status filed with the I-129 avoids the need for consular processing. TN visa classification does not apply to this role, as payroll director is not on the USMCA profession list.
How do I find Director of Payroll jobs where employers are already open to sponsorship?
Migrate Mate lists Director of Payroll roles from employers with verified LCA filing history, so you can focus your search on companies that have sponsored roles like this before rather than cold-applying and asking about sponsorship late in the process.
Will a three-year Australian bachelor's degree satisfy USCIS's educational requirement for this role?
Generally yes. USCIS accepts foreign degrees that are equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree, and a three-year Australian degree in accounting or finance is typically recognized as equivalent by credential evaluation services. Your employer should obtain a credential evaluation from a NACES-member organization and include it with the H-1B or E-3 petition. If your degree is in a field less directly tied to payroll management, relevant work experience documented through O*NET can help bridge the gap.
Does a Director of Payroll role support a path to a green card through PERM?
Yes. Most Director of Payroll positions qualify under EB-2 if you hold an advanced degree, or EB-3 as a skilled worker. Your employer must file a PERM labor certification with DOL first, which involves documenting a recruitment campaign showing no qualified U.S. workers were available. Because this is a senior, specialized role, the recruitment documentation requirement is real but manageable. India-born nationals face priority date backlogs under both categories; nationals from most other countries see shorter or no waits.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Director of Payroll jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.