Statewide Director of Payroll Operations

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

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Commonwealth of Massachusetts is seeking a Statewide Director of Payroll Operations to lead the statewide payroll function, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, consistency, and compliance across HRIS, payroll processing, and payroll accounting. You will supervise payroll staff and establish performance standards to promote accountability and efficient payroll services.

The role requires strategic oversight, collaboration with departments, and adherence to state finance laws; the hybrid work model is

Qualifications

• Proven responsibility for managing complex payroll operations, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, efficiency, and compliance.
• Demonstrated experience directing teams, establishing performance expectations, evaluating results, and developing staff.
• Ability to lead and develop staff, support supervisors, establish accountability, and foster effective teamwork.
• Experience identifying payroll risks, implementing controls, addressing deficiencies, and ensuring appropriate corrective actions.
• Extensive experience applying payroll laws, managing audit activities, and maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Proven ability to evaluate operational performance, resolve complex issues, and lead initiatives that improve payroll effectiveness.

Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate the operation of the statewide payroll team including HRIS, HR, payroll and payroll accounting including processing, automation, department support, and quality assurance.
• Provide leadership, direction, mentorship, and support to payroll supervisors and staff while fostering a collaborative, accountable, service-oriented, and inclusive work environment.
• Guide and support team supervisors in coordinating workloads, priorities, team activities, employee engagement, and operational objectives.
• Establish clear expectations and accountability for the timely and accurate completion of statewide payroll responsibilities.
• Ensure statewide payroll production schedules and critical deadlines are met and that payroll errors and exceptions are identified, investigated, and corrected prior to payroll processing.
• Promote consistent statewide payroll practices and the effective application of payroll policies, procedures, controls, and standards across Commonwealth departments.
• Provide guidance and escalation support for complex payroll matters affecting Commonwealth departments.
• Promote department accountability by establishing clear expectations regarding departmental payroll responsibilities and providing departments with the support and tools necessary to meet those responsibilities.
• Coordinate with the Director of Payroll Engagement & Change Management to provide timely, accurate, and consistent communication to Commonwealth departments, with an emphasis on education, collaboration, compliance, and effective payroll administration.
• Build productive working relationships with payroll professionals and other stakeholders throughout the Commonwealth and ensure the Statewide Payroll Team remains a trusted resource for departments.
• Analyze payroll system changes, define business requirements needed to meet Massachusetts’ government needs and compliance with state finance law and all tax and labor requirements; coordinate testing to ensure business requirements are met.
• Develop and maintain control frameworks, procedures, and standards designed to protect the integrity and accuracy of statewide payroll operations and promote accountability.
• Ensure Calendar and Fiscal Year End processing is successful and within deadlines; specifically, W-2 iterative processing is completed and reconciled quarterly, W-2s are produced prior to January 31; ACA monthly processing is completed, as scheduled, and 1095-Cs are produced prior to defined deadline; Non-Resident Alien enrollment and processing is completed and 1042s are produced prior to March 15.
• Establish appropriate review, reconciliation, escalation, and quality-assurance processes for high-risk and deadline-sensitive payroll activities.
• Develop and implement protocols for regular audits and reviews of HR and payroll data to identify inaccuracies, anomalies, control weaknesses, and compliance concerns.
• Ensure appropriate documentation, evidence, and audit trails are maintained to support payroll transactions, reconciliations, adjustments, and control activities.

Skills

Payroll management

Leadership

Compliance

Auditing

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field

Tools

HRIS

Payroll systems

Job description

An Official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Job Description - Statewide Director of Payroll Operations (260007ET)

Job Description

Statewide Director of Payroll Operations - ( 260007ET )

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 Operations

FY27 - 006

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 Director of Payroll Operations functions as the Statewide Payroll Officer, providing strategic leadership, supervisory oversight, and operational accountability for the statewide payroll function. They are responsible for ensuring the accuracy, timeliness, consistency, compliance, and integrity of statewide payroll operations, including HRIS, payroll processing, payroll accounting, automation, departmental support, and quality assurance. The Director of Payroll Operations leads and supports the Statewide payroll supervisors and staff, by establishing performance expectations and accountability standards, and promoting consistent application of statewide payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls.

Specific Duties

The specific duties of this position include but are not limited to the following:

· Manage and coordinate the operation of the statewide payroll team including HRIS, HR, payroll and payroll accounting including processing, automation, department support, and quality assurance.

· Provide leadership, direction, mentorship, and support to payroll supervisors and staff while fostering a collaborative, accountable, service-oriented, and inclusive work environment.

· Guide and support team supervisors in coordinating workloads, priorities, team activities, employee engagement, and operational objectives.

· Establish clear expectations and accountability for the timely and accurate completion of statewide payroll responsibilities.

· Ensure statewide payroll production schedules and critical deadlines are met and that payroll errors and exceptions are identified, investigated, and corrected prior to payroll processing.

· Promote consistent statewide payroll practices and the effective application of payroll policies, procedures, controls, and standards across Commonwealth departments.

· Provide guidance and escalation support for complex payroll matters affecting Commonwealth departments.

· Promote department accountability by establishing clear expectations regarding departmental payroll responsibilities and providing departments with the support and tools necessary to meet those responsibilities.

· Coordinate with the Director of Payroll Engagement & Change Management to provide timely, accurate, and consistent communication to Commonwealth departments, with an emphasis on education, collaboration, compliance, and effective payroll administration.

· Build productive working relationships with payroll professionals and other stakeholders throughout the Commonwealth and ensure the Statewide Payroll Team remains a trusted resource for departments.

· Analyze payroll system changes, define business requirements needed to meet Massachusetts’ government needs and compliance with state finance law and all tax and labor requirements; coordinate testing to ensure business requirements are met.

· Develop and maintain control frameworks, procedures, and standards designed to protect the integrity and accuracy of statewide payroll operations and promote accountability.

· Ensure Calendar and Fiscal Year End processing is successful and within deadlines; specifically, W-2 iterative processing is completed and reconciled quarterly, W-2s are produced prior to January 31; ACA monthly processing is completed, as scheduled, and 1095-Cs are produced prior to defined deadline; Non-Resident Alien enrollment and processing is completed and 1042s are produced prior to March 15.

· Establish appropriate review, reconciliation, escalation, and quality-assurance processes for high-risk and deadline-sensitive payroll activities.

· Develop and implement protocols for regular audits and reviews of HR and payroll data to identify inaccuracies, anomalies, control weaknesses, and compliance concerns.

· Ensure appropriate documentation, evidence, and audit trails are maintained to support payroll transactions, reconciliations, adjustments, and control activities.

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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

· Working knowledge of Microsoft Power BI and Snowflake for querying and compiling data

· 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

· Proven responsibility for managing complex payroll operations, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, efficiency, and compliance.

· Demonstrated experience directing teams, establishing performance expectations, evaluating results, and developing staff.

· Ability to lead and develop staff, support supervisors, establish accountability, and foster effective teamwork.

· Experience identifying payroll risks, implementing controls, addressing deficiencies, and ensuring appropriate corrective actions.

· Extensive experience applying payroll laws, managing audit activities, and maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements.

· Proven ability to evaluate operational performance, resolve complex issues, and lead initiatives that improve payroll effectiveness

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:

I. An certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience.

II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.

III. A Graduate degree or higher a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.

IV. Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.

Official Title : Fiscal Officer VII

Job

Job: Human Resources

Agency

Agency: Off of the State Comptrollers

Schedule

Schedule: Full-time

Shift

Shift: Day

Job Posting

Job Posting: Oct 27, 2026, 12:42:46 PM

Number of Openings

Number of Openings: 1

Salary: 125,000.00 - 145,000.00 Yearly

If you have Diversity, affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator : Monica Middleton - 6178239689

Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule : Yes