Director of Payroll Operations

Banyan Search; Raleigh (NC); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Banyan Search is looking for a Director of Payroll Operations in Raleigh, NC, to lead payroll functions across multiple entities. This hybrid role requires a deep understanding of payroll operations and compliance, focusing on managing teams and ensuring timely payroll delivery.

The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in payroll leadership, particularly in publicly traded companies, and be skilled in complex compliance scenarios including equity compensation. Strong leadership and team development skills are essential.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive payroll leadership in complex, multi-entity environments.
• Strong experience with publicly traded organizations.
• Advanced proficiency in payroll and tax compliance platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end payroll operations across all entities and pay groups.
• Manage and develop a team of payroll operations leaders.
• Own payroll controls, SOX compliance, and audit readiness.

Skills

Payroll leadership

Compliance knowledge

Team management

Tax compliance

Equity compensation reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

Tools

Enterprise payroll and tax compliance platforms

Job description

Director of Payroll Operations
Raleigh, NC · Hybrid

Banyan Search is partnering with a growing, publicly traded company to place a Director of Payroll Operations. This is a senior operational leadership role for a payroll professional with deep enterprise platform experience and a background supporting complex employee populations and equity compensation programs.

About the Opportunity

Reporting to VP-level leadership, you'll own North America payroll operations across multiple entities and pay groups while leading a team of payroll professionals. You'll be responsible for accurate, compliant, and timely payroll delivery; maintaining strong internal controls and audit readiness; and serving as the functional owner for the company's payroll and tax compliance platforms.

What You'll Do

• Lead end-to-end North America payroll operations across all entities and pay groups
• Manage and develop a team of payroll operations leaders
• Own payroll controls, SOX compliance, and audit readiness
• Oversee payroll tax operations, filings, reconciliations, and notice resolution
• Manage payroll compliance for complex populations including global mobility and cross-border scenarios
• Oversee payroll processing for share-based compensation and employee stock programs
• Maintain alignment between payroll, general ledger, and financial reporting
• Drive KPI tracking, process standardization, and continuous improvement

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• 10+ years of progressive payroll leadership in complex, multi-entity North America environments and strong experience with publicly traded organizations
• Advanced proficiency in enterprise payroll and tax compliance platforms
• Strong knowledge of payroll tax compliance, global mobility, and expatriate taxation
• Experience with equity and stock purchase plan payroll reporting at a publicly traded company
• Proven ability to lead managers and develop high-performing teams
• Experience managing outsourced payroll vendors

Candidate must be authorized to work in the US without current or future sponsorship requirements.