Statewide Director of Payroll Engagement & Change Management

Commonwealth of Massachusetts; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

Commonwealth of Massachusetts is seeking a Statewide Director of Payroll Engagement & Change Management to provide strategic leadership for payroll engagement, education, and training across departments. The role focuses on change management, stakeholder engagement, and standardized payroll practices within a large public sector system.

The position reports to the Assistant Comptroller for Payroll & Payments and emphasizes collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to ensure

Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking, presentation development, and facilitation.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-management skills, with the ability to collaborate across departments.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing engagement strategies, establishing priorities, and leading initiatives.
• Experience presenting complex information to diverse audiences and supporting organizational change through education and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience in payroll, human resources, labor cost accounting, financial operations, and related processes.
• Demonstrated experience leading, supervising, and developing staff.
• Ability to develop and implement strategic communication, outreach, training, and stakeholder engagement programs.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead a comprehensive statewide engagement strategy to strengthen relationships between the Office of the Comptroller and Commonwealth departments.
• Serve as a primary leader for outreach, education, and engagement related to payroll and LCD systems and processes.
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with payroll, HR, accounting, budget, and fiscal professionals.
• Identify challenges and opportunities for improved communication, education, and collaboration.
• Develop engagement strategies addressing varying levels of department knowledge and needs.
• Promote accountability through education, guidance, and clear expectations.
• Coordinate feedback on policies, procedures, systems, and support services.
• Represent the Statewide Payroll Team in department meetings and statewide initiatives.
• Develop and oversee statewide education and training programs utilizing payroll and LCD systems.

Skills

Communication

Public speaking

Stakeholder engagement

Payroll knowledge

Change management

Leadership

Tools

HR/CMS system

Mosaic LCD

Job description

An Official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Job Description - Statewide Director of Payroll Engagement & Change Management (260007GL)

Job Description

Statewide Director of Payroll Engagement & Change Management - ( 260007GL )

Description

IN ORDER FOR YOUR CANDIDACY TO BE CONSIDERED ALL APPLICANTS MUST APPLY BY FOLLOWING THE APPLICATION PROCESS INSTRUCTIONS LISTED IN THE JOB DISCRIPTION.

IF YOU APPLY THROUGH THE APPLY ONLINE LINK ON THIS MASSCAREERS PAGE YOU WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION.

OFFICE of the COMPTROLLER (CTR)

Statewide Director of Payroll Engagement & Change Management

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About the Office of the Comptroller

The Office of the Comptroller ensures that the more than $50 billion in annual transactions authorized by the general appropriations act and supplemental appropriations are executed in accordance with all statutory requirements and recorded in compliance with accounting standards. We also oversee capital assets, federal funding inflows, and other transactions. We also own and maintain statewide payments and payroll systems, safeguarding critical financial information. We operate in support of our partners, the financial staff at more than 150 departments and agencies across the Commonwealth.

As stewards of the public trust, we aspire to inspire confidence by maintaining our core principles: clarity, integrity, and accountability.

The powers and obligations of the Office of the Comptroller are generally dictated by M.G.L. c. 7A.

The mission of the Statewide Payroll Team is to ensure accurate, timely and compliant payroll services while promoting department accountability, consistent statewide practices, and responsible stewardship of public resources. Through education, guidance and collaboration, we empower departments with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively manage payroll responsibilities and support a strong, reliable statewide payroll operation.

The Statewide Payroll Team promotes the consistent application of payroll policies and practices across multiple systems, supporting the integrity, accuracy, and reliability of statewide payroll operations. The team serves as a trusted resource for payroll professionals across the Commonwealth.

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Assistant Comptroller for Payroll & Payments , the Statewide Director of Payroll Engagement & Change Management provides strategic leadership, direction, and accountability for statewide department engagement, communication, education, and training related to payroll and labor cost distribution (LCD) operations. The Statewide Director of Payroll Engagement & Change Management is responsible for developing and implementing statewide engagement and training strategies, establishing priorities and standards, and making decisions regarding outreach initiatives to meet departmental needs and support statewide operational objectives. The Statewide Director of Payroll Engagement & Change Management promotes departmental accountability, effective change management, and continuous improvement in statewide payroll administration via collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.

Specific Duties

• Develop and lead a comprehensive statewide business partner engagement strategy to strengthen relationships between the Office of the Comptroller and Commonwealth departments.
• Serve as a primary point of leadership for department outreach, education, and engagement related to statewide payroll and LCD systems and processes.
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with department payroll, HR, accounting, budget, and fiscal professionals to promote effective statewide payroll administration.
• Identify department challenges, emerging needs, and opportunities for improved communication, education, and collaboration.
• Develop engagement strategies that address varying levels of department knowledge, operational complexity, and business needs.
• Promote department accountability and ownership of payroll and labor cost distribution responsibilities through education, guidance, and clear communication of expectations.
• Facilitate opportunities for departments to provide feedback on statewide payroll and LCD policies, procedures, systems, and support services.
• Represent the Statewide Payroll Team in department meetings, statewide forums, working groups, and other collaborative initiatives.
• Develop, implement, and oversee a comprehensive statewide education and training program for Commonwealth departments utilizing payroll and LCD systems.
• Establish standardized training materials, user guides, job aids, reference documents, and other educational resources that promote accurate and consistent department practices.
• Coordinate educational programs addressing payroll processing responsibilities, data accuracy, reconciliations, labor cost distribution, compliance requirements, and applicable statewide policies and procedures.
• Partner with the Statewide Director of Payroll Operations and subject matter experts to ensure educational materials accurately reflect current system functionality, operational requirements, internal controls, and statewide payroll practices.
• Identify recurring department errors, compliance concerns, and operational challenges that may be addressed through targeted training and outreach.
• Develop and oversee a coordinated communication strategy to ensure Commonwealth departments receive timely, accurate, consistent and actionable information regarding all payroll policies, procedures, deadlines, and system changes.
• Ensure communications clearly distinguish between responsibilities performed centrally by the Statewide Payroll Team and those assigned to individual Commonwealth departments.
• Support statewide change management efforts by developing communication and education plans for new or modified payroll/payroll accounting processes.
• Promote proactive communication that reduces preventable errors, strengthens compliance, and supports effective department decision-making.
• Lead a culture of responsiveness, professionalism, consistency, and continuous improvement.

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Salary Range $125,000 - $145,000

This is a management position. The posted salary range is fixed and not subject to negotiation. The selected candidate will be offered a salary within this range, commensurate with their relativeexperience.

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

CTR is pleased to offer a comprehensive benefits package to its employees. The specific components and eligibility may vary based upon position classification, hours worked per week and other variables. Therefore, specific benefits for this position may be discussed as part of the interview and offer process.

This is a management position. The successful candidate will be an employee at will. This position is non-civil service and not covered by a collective bargaining agreement. This position is an exempt position.

The overall benefits available include paid vacation, sick and personal leave time, health, dental and vision insurance, and optional pre‑tax Health Savings Account plans.

In addition, CTR provides employees the opportunity to elect life insurance, long term disability insurance, deferred compensation savings, tuition remission, pre‑tax commuter account plans, along with other programs. This position may be eligible for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program administered by the Federal Government.

CTR Hybrid-Work Model

CTR operates under a Hybrid work model. Under this policy, employees are currently required to work a minimum of four business days per month (two set by management and two set by the employee) on‑site at CTR’s Boston office and may work remotely the remainder of the time at a location approved by their supervisor, so long as they comply with the requirements of the telework policy. Under this policy, all employees must be able to report to the Boston office with little or no notice, even including the same workday should an exigent circumstance arise. Therefore, a reasonable proximity to the office is necessary. CTR does not reimburse for employees to travel to the office.

On‑site work is an essential function of this position.

In addition, the successful candidate may be required to work primarily on site in Boston during the initial training and orientation period and/or for certain positions a primarily on‑site role may be necessary.

Commitment to Diversity:

CTR is committed to building a diverse staff at all levels across its entire agency.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.

CTR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Required Background Check – Including Tax Compliance:

CTR requires a background check on all prospective employees as a condition of employment.

Candidates should know that the background check is not initiated until:

• A candidate is invited to a second or subsequent interview and
• The candidate has signed the Background Check Authorization Form and related releases.

This background check includes:

• o a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check,
• o Commonwealth Department of Revenue state tax compliance.

Candidates with advanced degrees and professional licenses may have these credentials verified.

Individuals other than those references provided by a candidate may be contacted in the course of completing a full background and qualification check.

This position requires a self‑starter with the following capabilities and attributes:

• superior time management;
• ability to contribute and work productively as part of a team and equally as an individual contributor;
• positive attitude;
• capacity to remain flexible and learn new standards and guidelines as necessary; and
• ability to work well under pressure.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in business management or business administration with a concentration in accounting or relevant experience.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel user: demonstrated ability to create spreadsheets that incorporate advanced Excel features and formulas
• Advanced Microsoft PowerPoint user: demonstrated ability to create polished, professional presentations; and effectively communicate complex information through visually engaging and well‑organized presentations
• Working knowledge of the Commonwealth’s HR/Payroll system (HR/CMS) or other ERP
• Working knowledge of the Commonwealth’s Finance/labor cost distribution system (Mosaic/LCD) or other finance ERP
• Working knowledge of the Commonwealth Information Warehouse (CIW) or other warehouse solution.

Required Qualifications:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking, presentation development, and facilitation.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship‑management skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across diverse departments and organizational levels.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing engagement strategies, establishing priorities, and leading initiatives
• Demonstrated experience in presenting complex information to diverse audiences and supporting organizational change through effective education and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience in payroll, human resources, labor cost accounting, financial operations, and/or related business processes
• Demonstrated experience leading, supervising, and/or developing staff
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic communication, outreach, training, and stakeholder engagement programs.
• Strong organizational and project‑management skills, including the ability to coordinate multiple initiatives and competing priorities.

Minimum Entrance Requirements:

Applicants must have at least six (6) years of full-time, or equivalent part‑time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in the fields of accounting or financial management (includes: budgeting, accounting, auditing, management analysis, program evaluation, financial reporting or program results). Of which (B) at least two (2) years must have been in project management, supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

1. I. An certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience.
2. II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.
3. III. A Graduate degree or higher a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.
4. IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.

Official Title : Fiscal Officer VII

Primary Location

Job: Human Resources

Agency: Off of the State Comptrollers

Schedule: Full-time

Shift: Day

Job Posting: Oct 28, 2026, 12:21:20 PM

Number of Openings: 1

Salary: 125,000.00 - 145,000.00 Yearly

Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule : Yes

If you have Diversity, Affi-