Director of Payroll

The Director of Payroll provides strategic and operational leadership for all payroll functions across the organization. This role ensures accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing while optimizing systems, controls, and reporting. The Director of Payroll partners with HR, Finance, and Operations to support workforce planning, labor cost management, and regulatory compliance across multi-site and multi-state operations. Key Responsibilities Payroll Operations & Compliance Oversee end-to-end payroll processing for all employees (exempt, non-exempt, union, and contract where applicable) Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour laws Maintain compliance with healthcare-specific regulations affecting pay practices (shift differentials, on-call, credential-based pay, etc.) Ensure timely tax filings, wage reporting, and reconciliations Maintain audit-ready payroll records and internal controls Strategy & Leadership Develop payroll strategy aligned with organizational growth and workforce needs Lead, coach, and develop payroll staff and managers Establish performance metrics for accuracy, timeliness, and service delivery Partner with Finance on labor forecasting, accruals, and budget alignment Systems & Process Improvement Oversee payroll systems, integrations, and data governance (HRIS, timekeeping, benefits, general ledger) Implement process improvements that increase accuracy and reduce processing time Lead payroll-related system implementations, upgrades, and vendor management Reporting & Analytics Provide executive reporting on labor costs, overtime trends, and payroll variances Support compliance reporting, audits, and internal investigations as needed Partner with HR and Operations to monitor staffing costs and workforce trends Risk Management Ensure strong internal controls to prevent errors, overpayments, and fraud Manage responses to payroll inquiries, disputes, and regulatory requests Maintain business continuity plans for payroll operations Qualifications Education Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field required CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) preferred Experience 8 + years of progressive payroll leadership experience Experience managing payroll in a healthcare, union, or multi-state environment strongly preferred Experience with HRIS and timekeeping systems (e.g., ADP or comparable platforms) Demonstrated experience leading audits and compliance initiatives Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Expert knowledge of wage and hour laws and payroll tax regulations Strong analytical and financial acumen Exceptional attention to detail and process orientation Ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and influence senior leadership Strong communication and team leadership skills Benefits: Dental insurance Vision insurance Health Insurance 401k Paid time-off Paid holidays Referral program Lemontree Healthcare policy is to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants and employees regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, status as a special disabled veteran, or any other protected criteria as established by federal, state, or local laws. Employment decisions at Lemontree are based solely upon relevant criteria, including an individual's capabilities, qualifications, training, experience, and suitability.