Head of Payroll

Conexus; Long Beach (CA); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

A rapidly growing company is seeking a Director of Payroll to lead end-to-end payroll operations while overseeing a growing payroll team. You will ensure compliance and accuracy across multi-state payroll, partner closely with different departments, and support equity compensation processing. Ideal candidates should have over 10 years of payroll experience, strong project management skills, and hands-on experience with Rippling Payroll and HRIS. Competitive compensation is offered based on experience, with a range of 160-210k + equity.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive payroll experience, preferably in a rapidly growing company.
• Experience in building and managing payroll teams during rapid growth.
• Strong project management and systems-thinking skills.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end payroll for a growing multi-state employee population.
• Lead and develop a payroll team to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Partner with various departments for seamless payroll processing.

Skills

Leadership in a high-growth environment

Experience with Rippling Payroll and HRIS

Multi-state payroll compliance

Project management skills

Process improvement skills

Job description

We’re looking for a Director of Payroll to build and lead a modern, scalable payroll function as the company continues rapid growth. This role will own end-to-end payroll operations, oversee a growing payroll team, and serve as the functional owner of Rippling for payroll, time & attendance, and related integrations. You’ll also partner closely with Legal, Finance, and Equity Administration to ensure accurate processing of equity compensation across payroll.

This is a highly visible role that blends operational excellence, systems leadership, and cross-functional partnership.

Compensation is DOE, they are open to Senior Manager OR Director level, 160-210k + Equity

What You’ll Do

Payroll Leadership & Operations

• Own end-to-end payroll for a growing, multi-state (and potentially global) employee population, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timeliness
• Lead, mentor, and scale the payroll team, including hiring, training, and developing payroll managers and specialists
• Establish and continuously improve payroll processes, controls, and documentation to support rapid headcount growth
• Serve as the escalation point for complex payroll issues, audits, and employee inquiries

HRIS & Systems Ownership (Rippling)

• Act as the Payroll owner for Rippling, including configuration, testing, upgrades, and optimization
• Partner with People Ops, HRIS, and IT on integrations with benefits, time tracking, finance, and equity platforms
• Drive automation, reporting, and process efficiencies to reduce manual work and improve data integrity
• Lead payroll-related system implementations, enhancements, and migrations as the company scales

Equity & Compensation Programs

• Oversee payroll processing for equity-related compensation, including stock options, RSUs, ESPP, bonuses, and other incentive programs
• Partner with Finance, Legal, and external equity administrators to ensure accurate taxation and reporting of equity events
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and international tax requirements related to equity compensation
• Support audits and filings related to equity payroll transactions

Compliance, Controls & Partnerships

• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations
• Own payroll audits, tax filings, reconciliations, and relationships with external vendors and tax authorities
• Partner closely with Finance on GL reconciliation, accruals, and payroll-related reporting
• Collaborate with People, Legal, and Total Rewards on policy design, pay programs, and employee communications

What We’re Looking For

• 10+ years of progressive payroll experience, including leadership in a high-growth or scaling environment
• Proven experience building and managing payroll teams through periods of rapid headcount growth
• Deep hands-on experience with Rippling Payroll and HRIS (required)
• Strong experience supporting equity compensation programs and payroll tax implications
• Expertise in multi-state payroll compliance
• Strong project management, systems-thinking, and process improvement skills
• Ability to operate at both a strategic and hands-on level in a fast-paced environment

Nice to Have

• Experience supporting pre-IPO or public company payroll environments
• Exposure to SOX controls and payroll-related audits
• Experience implementing or scaling HRIS/payroll systems