Director of Payroll - Washington, DC - $220-280K + Exceptional Benefits

Hybrid – 3 days in the office / 2 days from home

$220,000–280,000 + exceptional benefits

JGA Recruitment is exclusively partnering with a prestigious, purpose-led organisation to appoint its new Director of Payroll.

Reporting directly to the CFO and leading an established payroll team, the successful candidate will oversee payroll for approximately 3,000 employees across 30 states.

This is not a traditional “keep the payroll running” leadership role.

Our client is seeking a technically strong, forward-thinking payroll leader who can diagnose the current operation, challenge established ways of working and redesign processes from first principles.

The role will focus on:

• Introducing leading-edge payroll practices and operating models
• Designing and implementing improved payroll processes
• Maximising Workday Payroll and reducing manual workarounds
• Applying AI and automation practically across the function
• Strengthening compliance, controls, reporting and customer service
• Developing and leading the existing payroll team
• Establishing payroll as a genuine strategic partner to the wider organisation

The successful candidate must have proven experience transforming a complex US payroll operation -not simply managing an established function.

Strong payroll process design and implementation experience is essential, alongside genuine knowledge of how AI and automation can improve payroll delivery.

This is an outstanding opportunity to lead a significant transformation within a highly respected organisation.

JGA Recruitment Group Ltd ("We") are committed to equality of opportunity for all applications regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships. We strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply.