Senior Director, Payroll

Save the Children US

. Oversee day-to-day payroll operations and processes for three entities .

Posted 10/7/2026full-timeUnited StatesSenior💰 $96,050 - $133,475 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates extensive expertise in payroll operations, compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, and effective management of payroll processes across multiple entities. Proven ability to lead teams, implement payroll systems, and enhance operational efficiency through strategic problem-solving and vendor management.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Payroll Operations ManagementFederal And State Payroll CompliancePayroll Software ProficiencyVendor ManagementTeam Leadership

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Payroll ProcessingPayroll ComplianceTime And Attendance SystemsPayroll ReportingPayroll AccountingData AnalysisLeave Management AdministrationPayroll Platform ImplementationBudget ManagementAudit Reporting

Soft Skills

Excellent CommunicationInterpersonal SkillsCritical ReasoningStrategic ThinkingProblem-Solving

Tools & Technologies

UKGTenroxMicrosoft Office SuiteAdvanced Excel

Certifications & Qualifications

Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)

Industry Keywords

Multi-State PayrollInternational Payroll ProcessingPaid Leave ProgramsNonprofit Payroll OperationsShared Services Organization

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Oversee day-to-day payroll operations and processes for three entities
Administer payroll for international expatriates and third-country nationals working abroad
Ensure accurate transmission of pay to banks, including international wire payments
Assess payroll operations and identify automation and efficiency improvements
Collaborate with Benefits on deduction processing, benefits reconciliation, and leave-related pay impacts
Serve as payroll subject matter expert for federal, state, and local paid leave programs
Partner with Benefits, HR, and leave administrators on employee payments, deductions, tax treatment, reporting, and compliance
Oversee payroll help desk and resolve complex payroll issues, employee concerns, inquiries, and processing errors
Manage payroll-to-bank and payroll general-ledger reconciliations, year-end processes, and audit reports
Lead payroll audits and support financial statements and payroll-related audit reporting
Support and monitor the annual payroll team budget and forecast expenses
Advise on projects affecting payroll and timekeeping and lead change-management activities
Build and maintain employee communications and training
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local tax and payroll regulations, including W-2 filings and corrections
Produce payroll reporting and maintain payroll/timekeeping processes, procedures, and policies
Support accounting with month-end and year-end staffing-cost close activities
Lead relationships with external payroll vendors, tax providers, and third-party administrators
Oversee vendor performance, SLAs, issue resolution, and continuous improvement
Recommend and evaluate payroll platforms and systems interacting with payroll
Support vendor implementations, transitions, and contract negotiations
Train, develop, coach, lead, and supervise payroll staff
Provide performance feedback and career development opportunities
Serve as escalation point for complex payroll matters
Lead cross-functional collaboration and coordinated problem-solving
Stay current on payroll industry trends

Requirements

What you’ll need

Minimum of a Bachelor Degree or equivalent experience
At least 7 years of Payroll experience
At least 3 years in a supervisory role
Experience administering payroll within a complex multi-state environment, including state paid leave programs and related regulatory requirements
Deep knowledge of federal, state, and local tax regulations related to payroll
Demonstrated success managing payroll vendors and third-party providers
Experience with time and attendance and payroll software; UKG and Tenrox a plus
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to work independently with minimal guidance and manage multiple priorities
Ability to act as a payroll subject matter expert
Strong understanding of federal and state payroll compliance laws
Strategic and lateral thinking; ability to translate findings into pragmatic solutions
Strong analytical capabilities using payroll and workforce data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities
Experience with leave management administration, state paid leave programs, or integrated leave and payroll solutions
Critical reasoning and ability to solve complex business problems
Professional proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and advanced Excel skills
Professional proficiency in spoken and written English
Experience supporting payroll operations across nonprofit or multi-entity organizational structures preferred
Payroll platform implementation related to HCM systems preferred
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification preferred
International development payroll processing experience preferred
Project management experience preferred
Understanding of payroll accounting preferred
Experience supporting payroll in a shared services or matrixed organization preferred

Benefits

Comp & perks

Flexible schedules
Generous PTO
11 paid holidays plus 2 floating holidays
Hybrid working opportunities
Health care, dental and vision coverage for you and your family
Paid caregiver, parental/adoption, critical child illness and fertility leaves
Employee Rewards Program
Annual merit increases and/or additional incentives for eligible employees
Retirement savings plan with employer contributions after one year
15 safety and wellness days annually (prorated to 8 days if hired on or after July 1)
Mental health benefits and support through Calm and company-hosted events
Free and confidential Employee Assistance Program
Internal and external learning and development opportunities
Mentorships