Payroll Director

City of Seattle; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 9,213,000 - 13,087,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation and sick leave

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Long-term disability insurance

Job summary

The City of Seattle's Office of City Finance is seeking a Director of Payroll to lead payroll, time and attendance, and staff scheduling for the city’s 40 departments. You will drive strategy, oversee centralized payroll processes, and ensure accurate, timely compensation while maintaining strong internal controls.

You will collaborate across HR, Finance, IT, and vendors, manage system upgrades (Workday, PeopleSoft, ADP), ensure tax compliance, and provide detailed payroll reporting to senior

Qualifications

• BA in Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, or comparable level of experience.
• Experience with payroll in large, complex organizations.
• Knowledge of federal and Washington state payroll laws.
• Leadership experience supervising centralized and decentralized payroll teams.
• Strong audit, reporting, and internal controls skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the organization’s payroll, time and attendance, and staff scheduling operations.
• Develop long-term payroll system and process strategy aligned with organizational goals.
• Oversee citywide payroll processing.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic payroll

Regulatory compliance

Data analytics

Cross-department collaboration

Project management

Education

BA in Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, or comparable level of experience

Public sector knowledge

Tools

Workday Payroll ERP

Tyler Technologies

Munis

SAP Public Sector

Oracle Public Sector

ADP

Job description

The Office of City Finance (OCF) OCF is responsible for the financial operations of the City of Seattle. While working closely with the City’s Budget Office, OCF oversees the City’s financial control functions and enterprise reporting responsibilities and supports the goals set by the Mayor and the City Council by providing financial information and expertise. The Office of City Finance champions race and social justice and works progressively to realize the City’s vision of racial equity by participating in the Race and Social Justice Initiative - RSJI, which requires fostering a relational culture and an openness to learn and apply new ideas and skills through an equity lens.

The Director of Payroll provides strategic and operational leadership for organization-wide payroll, time and attendance, and staff scheduling functions. This role is responsible for the visioning, planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of payroll systems and processes to ensure accuracy, efficiency, compliance, and timely financial reporting.

The Director oversees centralized payroll policy, compliance, and systems while coordinating with decentralized payroll staff across departments. This position ensures timely and accurate pay for City employees, manages complex tax compliance, leads payroll system upgrades, and maintains strong internal controls across the organization.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Payroll Strategy & Operations

• Lead the organization’s payroll, time and attendance, and staff scheduling operations, ensuring timely and accurate compensation for all employees.
• Develop and execute a long-term payroll system and process strategy aligned with organizational goals.
• Oversee citywide payroll processing.

Policy, Compliance & Controls

• Develop, update, and enforce standardized payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations, including FLSA requirements.
• Ensure accurate tax treatment, reporting, and remittance, including Forms 941 and other required filings.
• Serve as the primary liaison with tax authorities and regulatory agencies.

Systems Oversight & Optimization

• Accountable for all central payroll systems and integrations.
• Lead system implementations, upgrades, integrations, and troubleshooting in partnership with HR, Finance, IT, Labor Relations, and external vendors (e.g., Workday, PeopleSoft, ADP).
• Ensure accurate and timely data flow between payroll, timekeeping, scheduling, and accounting systems.

Audit, Reporting & Risk Management

• Plan, conduct, and oversee payroll audits to ensure data integrity, compliance, and control effectiveness.
• Provide detailed payroll reporting and analysis to senior leadership to support financial and operational decision‑making.
• Maintain strong controls over ACH processes and payroll fund transfers.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Supervise and develop the central payroll team, foster high performance, collaborate with 40 City departments on complicated payroll issues and professional growth, and serve as backup to ensure business continuity.
• Lead a Payroll Business Function Network (or similar governance structure) to standardize processes, training, and best practices across decentralized payroll units.
• Collaborate closely with HR, Finance, Labor Relations, and departmental leaders to align payroll operations with broader organizational strategy.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and change leader across the organization.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice

Minimum Qualifications:

• BA in Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, or comparable level of experience.
• Background in informatics, data management, or analytics.
• Documented history of leveraging expert-level knowledge of technology, payroll regulations, and related taxing requirements to consistently deliver accurate and timely payroll processing for a large, complex employer.
• Familiarity with governmental accounting regulations and compliance standards.
• Served in a senior leadership role providing direction and supervision to highly engaged and successful teams for over five years.
• Experience with implementation and operations of payroll and time capture systems.
• Working knowledge of Federal and Washington State payroll laws and regulations.
• Deep understanding of the Fair Labor Standards Act, overtime rules, and timekeeping requirements.
• Knowledge of payroll tax reporting, withholding, and remittance requirements.
• Familiarity with Automated Clearing House (ACH) procedures and payroll funding methodologies.
• Experience with accounting software and financial reporting.
• Knowledge of time and attendance and staff scheduling systems.
• Proven ability to manage complex, integrated systems and decentralized payroll environments.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to influence, lead change, and build consensus across diverse stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong experience with Workday Payroll ERP (highly preferred).
• High level of integrity and commitment to public trust.
• Prepare data for public records or council/board presentations.
• Experience with government ERP systems (e.g., Tyler Technologies, Munis, SAP Public Sector, Oracle Public Sector).
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP).

PAY

This full-time position is classified as an Accountable Pay for Executives (APEX). It is not covered under the Civil Service System and is FLSA-exempt (not eligible for overtime pay). The full salary range for this position is $66.88 - $110.35 per hour. After a pay equity and budget analysis, the salary range for this role has been identified as $66.88 - $95.00 per hour.

Workplace Schedule/Environment:

Hybrid schedule with remote work flexibility (minimum 3days/weekin-office). Individual schedules will be agreed upon by the employee and their supervisor. Work is performed both in an office environment. Collaborative, inclusive team environment.

Background Check:

Applicants must successfully pass a background check, which will be conducted in accordance with Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be given a chance to explain or correct background information and provide verifiable information of good conduct and rehabilitation.

Why work at the City of Seattle?

The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.

Benefits:

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City’s website at https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits

Who May Apply:

This position is open to all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The city encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experience.