Director of Financial Operations

Confidential Jobs; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential Jobs in Chicago seeks a Director of Financial Operations to lead end-to-end management of client funding, payroll tax operations, billing, and treasury functions. This senior role partners cross-functionally to ensure accuracy and integrity of all financial transactions related to client payroll operations.

This leader combines deep operational expertise with a passion for process improvement, team development, and delivering exceptional client outcomes in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in payroll operations, client funding, treasury, financial operations, or a related service-based environment.
• Experience managing high-volume cash movement, funding operations, or treasury processes.
• Working knowledge of multi-state payroll tax requirements and compliance.
• Experience with ACH processing, banking platforms, and fraud-prevention controls.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills with the ability to leverage data for decision-making.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, including team management, coaching, and performance development.
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee treasury & client funding operations and payroll funding cycles.
• Ensure timely payroll tax deposits, filings, and compliance across jurisdictions.
• Oversee billing structure, revenue mapping, and recurring / off-cycle billing processes.
• Lead, develop, and mentor treasury, payroll tax, and billing teams, driving automation and efficiency.
• Establish metrics and reporting to support business decisions and cross-functional collaboration.
• Partner with payroll, client services, and executives to manage calendars and deadlines.

Skills

Payroll operations

Treasury management

Leadership

Financial analysis

Reporting

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Accounting/Business Administration

Tools

ACH processing

Banking platforms

Fraud prevention controls

SQL / advanced reporting

Job description

A fast-growing national business services organization is seeking a Director of Financial Operations to lead the end-to-end management of client funding, payroll tax operations, billing, and treasury functions. This is a highly visible leadership role responsible for ensuring the accuracy, timeliness, and integrity of all financial transactions related to client payroll operations.

The ideal candidate combines deep operational expertise with strong leadership capabilities and a passion for improving processes, developing teams, and delivering exceptional client outcomes.

Position Overview

The Director of Financial Operations oversees the complete money movement lifecycle, including treasury management, client funding, payroll tax administration, and billing operations. This individual serves as the senior escalation point for the team and partners cross-functionally with payroll, client services, implementation, and executive leadership to ensure operational excellence.

This role is ideal for a leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys solving complex operational challenges, and can balance strategic oversight with hands-on execution.

Key Responsibilities

Treasury & Client Funding

• Oversee daily client fund activity from collection through payroll and tax disbursement
• Manage payroll funding cycles, including funding verification, exception resolution, and escalations
• Monitor cash positions and ensure timely reconciliation of all transactions
• Administer banking platforms, ACH processes, fraud prevention controls, and treasury operations
• Serve as the primary liaison with banking partners

Payroll Tax Operations

• Ensure timely and accurate payroll tax deposits and filings across federal, state, and local jurisdictions
• Manage unemployment tax rate updates, adjustments, and reconciliations
• Resolve agency notices, amended returns, refunds, and tax-related client issues
• Maintain compliance with all applicable payroll tax regulations and reporting requirements

Billing & Revenue Operations

• Oversee billing structure, bill code administration, and revenue mapping
• Manage recurring, ad hoc, and off-cycle billing processes
• Identify and eliminate inconsistencies that create downstream reconciliation or revenue challenges
• Partner with implementation and client-facing teams to support accurate client setup and ongoing maintenance

Leadership & Process Improvement

• Lead, develop, and mentor team members across treasury, payroll tax, and billing functions
• Act as the primary escalation point for operational issues and complex client matters
• Build cross-functional knowledge and workforce redundancy through training and development
• Drive automation, process improvement, and operational efficiency initiatives
• Establish key performance metrics and reporting to support business decisions
• Foster a culture of accountability, responsiveness, and continuous improvement

Business Partnership

• Collaborate closely with Payroll Operations and other business leaders to manage processing calendars and operational deadlines
• Develop and maintain reporting related to funding, disbursements, tax activity, and operational performance
• Engage directly with clients to resolve complex issues and provide operational support when necessary

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in payroll operations, client funding, treasury, financial operations, or a related service-based environment
• Experience managing high-volume cash movement, funding operations, or treasury processes
• Working knowledge of multi-state payroll tax requirements and compliance
• Experience with ACH processing, banking platforms, and fraud-prevention controls
• Strong analytical and reporting skills with the ability to leverage data for decision-making
• Demonstrated leadership experience, including team management, coaching, and performance development
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience

Preferred

• Experience in a PEO, ASO, payroll services, or similar environment
• Experience with payroll and ERP systems such as PrismHR, NetSuite, or comparable platforms
• SQL or advanced reporting experience
• Certified Treasury Professional (CTP), Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), or similar designation
• Experience leading process automation and operational transformation initiatives