Director, Payroll

Dollar Tree, Inc.; Chesapeake (VA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Dollar Tree, Inc. seeks a Director of Payroll Operations & Systems to lead the enterprise-wide payroll strategy and delivery for associates across the U.S. and Canada.

You will drive governance for Workday Payroll and timekeeping, lead transformation initiatives, and build a high-performing team capable of supporting complex, multi-entity operations. You will oversee payroll compliance, risk management, audits, and system enhancements while partnering with HR, Finance, and IT to optimize payroll

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive payroll or related experience in a large, complex, multi-state organization.
• Demonstrated expertise across payroll operations including processing, tax, garnishments, multi-state regs, and unemployment claims.
• Experience leading managers or multi-layered teams in a high-volume payroll environment.
• Experience with large-scale payroll systems such as Workday Payroll, SAP, Oracle HCM, or similar platforms.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the strategic payroll roadmap aligned with HR, Finance, technology, and broader business objectives.
• Lead end-to-end payroll operations across a multi-state, multi-entity workforce ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.
• Establish and champion payroll policies, processes, controls, service standards, and KPIs for accuracy, efficiency, scalability, and associate experience.
• Oversee payroll tax, garnishments, on- and off-cycle payroll, year-end processing, unemployment claims, and required reporting.
• Advise on complex payroll matters, regulatory requirements, emerging risks, and industry best practices.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour laws, payroll tax regulations, and related requirements.
• Mitigate payroll-related risk through internal controls, governance, and audit procedures.
• Lead payroll-related internal and external audits and SOX compliance.
• Develop and manage the payroll department budget.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Payroll operations

Regulatory compliance

Audit and controls

Vendor management

Education

Bachelor's degree

CPP certification

Tools

Workday Payroll

SAP

Oracle HCM

Job description

Your strategic leadership, deep payroll expertise, and ability to lead complex operations and transformation make you a great fit for our Director, Payroll Operations & Systems position. Join our dynamic team today and find a rewarding career with a company that values you and all you bring to the table.

About Your Role:

As the Director, Payroll Operations & Systems at Dollar Tree’s corporate office, you’ll lead the strategic direction and operational delivery of our enterprise-wide payroll function supporting associates across our retail stores, distribution centers, and corporate functions throughout the U.S. and Canada.

You’ll be responsible for ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll delivery while strengthening systems, processes, controls, and service delivery. You’ll also provide strategic leadership and governance for Workday Payroll and related timekeeping capabilities, lead payroll transformation initiatives, and develop a high-performing team capable of supporting the scale and complexity of our business.

Your day-to-day duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

Payroll Strategy & Operational Excellence

• Develop and execute the strategic roadmap for the payroll function, ensuring alignment with HR, Finance, technology, and broader business objectives
• Lead end-to-end payroll operations across a large, multi-state, multi-entity workforce, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll delivery
• Establish and champion payroll policies, processes, controls, service standards, and key performance indicators that drive accuracy, efficiency, scalability, and an exceptional associate experience
• Provide oversight of payroll tax, garnishments, on- and off-cycle payroll, year-end processing, unemployment claims, and required governmental and internal reporting
• Serve as a strategic advisor and subject matter expert on complex payroll matters, regulatory requirements, emerging risks, and industry best practices
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local wage and hour laws, payroll tax regulations, and other payroll requirements
• Proactively identify and mitigate payroll-related risk through effective internal controls, governance, audit procedures, and ongoing compliance monitoring
• Lead payroll-related internal and external audit activities and ensure adherence to SOX and other applicable control requirements
• Develop and manage the payroll department budget, ensuring effective stewardship of resources and efficient operations

Payroll Systems & Transformation

• Provide strategic leadership and governance for Workday Payroll and timekeeping capabilities, ensuring configurations, integrations, controls, and enhancements support accurate payroll processing and evolving business requirements
• Partner with HR, IT, Finance, and managed service providers to establish the Workday Payroll roadmap, prioritize enhancements, evaluate service delivery, and manage system updates
• Drive forward-looking planning and innovation across the Workday ecosystem, including participation in quarterly business reviews and strategic roadmap planning
• Lead significant payroll initiatives, including system implementations and upgrades, complex integrations, process transformation, acquisitions, and post-divestiture coexistence and separation activities
• Provide oversight of third-party payroll partners and vendors, including service performance, contractual obligations, and opportunities to improve service delivery and cost effectiveness

Your Required Skills and Experience:

• 7+ years of progressive payroll or related experience, including significant leadership responsibility within a large, complex, multi-state organization
• Demonstrated expertise across payroll operations, including payroll processing, payroll tax, garnishments, multi-state regulations, complex year-end processing, and unemployment claims
• Experience leading managers and/or multi-layered teams within a high-volume payroll environment
• Experience with large-scale payroll systems such as Workday Payroll, SAP, Oracle HCM, or similar platforms

Preferred Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, Human Resources, or a related field
• Workday Payroll experience strongly preferred
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification highly desirable
• Experience negotiating and managing third-party contracts and service providers