Director, Payroll

Starz; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full Coverage – Medical, Vision, and D

Annual discretionary bonus

Work/Life Balance – sick/vacation/hol/

401(k) company matching

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

STARZ in Santa Monica, CA is seeking a Director, Payroll to lead the payroll function across the organization, ensuring timely, accurate payments and strict compliance with laws. You will guide a multidisciplinary team and partner with Finance, Tax, HR and external vendors.

The role requires 8+ years multi-state payroll, equity compensation expertise, and proficiency with Workday and ADP SmartCompliance. You’ll drive process improvements, automation, and strong controls to support payroll

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Human Resources, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years multi-state payroll experience
• Experience in equity compensation, stock administration, and payroll integration processes
• Extensive knowledge of Workday & ADP SmartCompliance
• Excel expertise and advanced MS Office skills
• Extensive knowledge of multi-state payroll (CA, CO, NY) regulations and procedures
• Experience creating and implementing payroll systems and processes
• Strong urgency to meet deadlines and maintain confidentiality
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Working knowledge of payroll tax at federal, state, and local levels

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end payroll administration for multi-state payroll, ensuring accuracy and on-time processing
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local payroll requirements
• Oversee payroll balancing, audits, and period-end reporting (tax forms and wage statements)
• Manage equity compensation payroll activities (grants, vesting, exercises)
• Ensure taxes related to equity compensation are calculated, withheld, and remitted
• Maintain payroll controls to support accuracy and regulatory adherence
• Identify opportunities to improve workflows and automation
• Collaborate with Finance, Tax, HR and external vendors to resolve payroll issues
• Manage relationships with payroll vendors and auditors
• Handle employee pay questions and requests

Skills

Strong communication

Deadline driven

Confidentiality

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Business Admin/HR or related field

Tools

Workday

ADP SmartCompliance

Excel

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description

The Director, Payroll will work within a multidisciplinary team to oversee and manage all payroll functions of the organization, ensuring pay is processed on time, accurately, and in compliance with government regulations.

Job Description

The Director, Payroll will work within a multidisciplinary team to oversee and manage all payroll functions of the organization, ensuring pay is processed on time, accurately, and in compliance with government regulations.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end payroll administration for multi-state payroll, ensuring each payroll cycle is completed accurately and on schedule


• Maintain compliance with applicable federal, state, and local payroll requirements by monitoring regulations and applying updates to payroll practices


• Oversee payroll balancing activities, audits, and period-end reporting, including quarterly and annual filings such as tax forms and wage statements


• Manage equity compensation payroll activities, including the administration of grants, vesting events, and exercises


• Ensure taxes related to equity-based compensation are calculated, withheld, reported, and remitted correctly


• Ensure payroll controls are followed to support accuracy, consistency, and regulatory adherence


• Identify opportunities to improve workflows and enhance automation to support best-practice operations


• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and third-party vendors to resolve payroll issues, support operational needs, and maintain service quality.


• Manage relationships with payroll vendors and auditors


• Manage employee pay questions and requests


• Partner closely with Finance, Accounting, Tax, and HR team

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field required. or equivalent experience


• 8+ years multi-state payroll experience


• Demonstrated experience in equity compensation, stock administration, and payroll integration processes


• Extensive knowledge of Workday & ADP SmartCompliance


• Expert in Excel


• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (especially Word, Excel, and Outlook)


• Extensive knowledge of multi-state payroll (with particular focus on CA, CO, and NY), including payroll principles, practices, regulations, and procedures.


• Extensive knowledge of applicable state and federal payroll and related tax regulations, legislation, and guidelines, including, but not limited to: writs of garnishment, child support, levies, subpoenas, etc.


• Experience creating and implementing payroll systems and process


• Strong sense of urgency to meet strict deadlines


• Ability to maintain employee/payroll confidentiality


• Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written)


• Working experience of payroll tax at the federal, state and local levels


• Must be highly organized

Nice to Haves

• CPP preferred

Compensation

$120,000 - $180,000

About STARZ

STARZ (NASDAQ: STRZ) is the leading premium entertainment destination for women and underrepresented audiences, and home to some of the most popular franchises and series on television. STARZ offers a robust programming mix for discerning adult audiences, including boundary-breaking originals and an expansive lineup of blockbuster movies, and is embodied by its brand positioning “We’re All Adults Here.” Complementary to any platform or service, STARZ is available across a wide range of digital OTT platforms and multichannel video distributors and is a bundling partner of choice. STARZ is powered by an industry-leading advanced technology, data analytics and digital infrastructure and the highly rated and first-of-its-kind STARZ app.

Our Benefits

• Full Coverage – Medical, Vision, and Dental


• Annual discretionary bonus and merit increase


• Work/Life Balance – generous sick days, vacation days, holidays, and wellness days


• 401(k) company matching


• Tuition Reimbursement (up to graduate degree)

Starz is an equal employment opportunity employer.

All employees and applicants are evaluated on the basis of their qualifications, consistent with applicable state and federal laws.

In addition, Starz will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Starz will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and federal law.