Oversee the delivery of payroll and financial operations, including payments, to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and client satisfaction.
Streamline processes to improve efficiency and service quality.
Leverage technology and automation to scale operations and enhance customer experiences.
Monitor and optimize KPIs to achieve and exceed operational goals.
Own fiduciary oversight of all payroll funds, ensuring proper segregation, secure movement, accurate funding, and daily reconciliations to protect client and company assets.
Ensure timely and compliant payroll tax filings and remittances across all federal, state, and local jurisdictions, including year-end reporting and regulatory documentation.
Establish and maintain strong internal controls, including segregation of duties, approval workflows, and reconciliation processes to safeguard financial integrity.
Oversee payroll-related financial reporting, ensuring accurate general ledger alignment, liability tracking, accrual validation, and audit readiness.
Lead regulatory response and issue resolution, serving as the executive escalation point for tax authority notices, compliance matters, and financial discrepancies.
Implement risk mitigation frameworks to prevent funding errors, compliance failures, and financial exposure, while ensuring operational scalability and audit compliance.
Ensure full compliance with federal, state, and local regulations related to payroll, tax, and financial transactions, including IRS and Department of Labor requirements.
Lead internal and external audits, assessing and mitigating risks to maintain operational integrity.
Stay updated on regulatory changes and adjust policies and procedures accordingly.
Act as the primary liaison for audits and regulatory reviews.
Develop and deliver training programs to promote compliance awareness across the organization.
Collaborate with the executive team to define and execute strategic initiatives aligned with company objectives.
Identify market trends to enhance service offerings and expand the client base.
Drive initiatives focused on cost management, scalability, and profitability.
Build and maintain strong client relationships, ensuring transparency and compliance in service delivery.
Establish and manage vendor partnerships to enhance operational efficiency and meet regulatory standards.
Lead and mentor a high-performing team, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
Recruit, train, and develop talent to meet current and future business needs.
Promote collaboration across departments to drive innovation and operational excellence.

Requirements

12+ years of progressive leadership experience in Payroll and Financial Operations, with significant experience in a SaaS-based Payroll or Payroll Services organization supporting multi-entity, multi-state clients.
5+ years of experience with federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations; directly overseeing regulatory compliance, tax filings, remittances, wage and hour adherence, and audit response in complex, multi-jurisdiction environments.
Proven experience operating in a SaaS delivery model, including managing SLAs, supporting enterprise-level customers, partnering with Product and Engineering teams, and leveraging technology platforms to drive automation, reporting accuracy, and operational efficiency.
Demonstrated success leading high-performing payroll operations teams, including audit management, compliance programs, quality assurance frameworks, and structured process improvement initiatives that reduce risk and improve service consistency.
Strong operational acumen with a track record of building scalable processes, implementing workflow automation, and leveraging systems to improve accuracy, reduce manual intervention, and support high-growth customer environments.
Advanced analytical and financial management skills, with the ability to oversee payroll liabilities, funding models, reconciliation processes, margin performance, and cost-to-serve analysis within a recurring revenue business model.
Experience overseeing payment operations and banking relationships, including ACH processing, NACHA compliance, funding risk management, fraud mitigation, and vendor oversight in regulated financial environments.
Exceptional communication and executive presence, with the ability to translate complex payroll and regulatory requirements into clear operational strategies and client-facing guidance.
Proven ability to build trusted partnerships with Finance, Legal, Product, Sales, Customer Success, and executive stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to scale operations in high-growth SaaS organizations, including building organizational structures, hiring and developing talent, and implementing KPI frameworks.
Hands-on familiarity with payroll platforms, tax engines, accounting systems, treasury workflows, and vendor payment technologies, with an understanding of integration architecture and data integrity considerations in cloud-based systems.
Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field required; MBA, CPA, CPP, or similar professional certification preferred.
Prior experience in banking, financial services, or regulated payment environments preferred.
Experience supporting the hospitality industry is a strong plus.

Benefits

Competitive compensation package
Ability to work remote
Comprehensive medical benefits
401k + matching
Equity Option Grant
Unlimited PTO + Company holidays
Wellness initiatives

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools

payroll operationsfinancial managementregulatory complianceaudit managementworkflow automationdata integritycost-to-serve analysispayment operationsACH processingtax filings

Soft Skills

leadershipcommunicationcollaborationstrategic thinkingproblem-solvingmentoringclient relationship managementoperational excellenceaccountabilitycontinuous improvement

Certifications

Bachelor’s degree in FinanceBachelor’s degree in AccountingBachelor’s degree in Business AdministrationMBACPACPP