Interim Payroll Director

LHH Recruitment Solutions is working with a Non-Profit organization to fill an Interim Director of Payroll position in Downtown, Manhattan on a consulting basis. We are seeking a highly technical individual with a strong background in payroll compliance, process improvement, and system implementation work. This role will require in office time in Manhattan and can not be 100% remote.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee end-to-end payroll operations for a complex, multi-state employee population.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations, including wage and hour requirements, payroll taxes, garnishments, and statutory deductions.
• Conduct a comprehensive review of existing payroll processes, controls, policies, and procedures to identify compliance risks and operational gaps.
• Drive payroll process improvements, automation, and standardization to increase accuracy, efficiency, and scalability.
• Strengthen internal controls, documentation, reconciliation procedures, and payroll audit processes.
• Research and resolve complex payroll discrepancies, tax issues, and compliance matters.
• Partner closely with HR, Finance, Accounting, Legal, and Benefits teams to ensure payroll data integrity and regulatory compliance.
• Manage payroll tax reporting, quarter-end and year-end activities, including W-2 preparation and reconciliation.
• Support payroll audits and respond to regulatory or compliance inquiries.
• Review payroll systems and workflows and recommend opportunities to improve system utilization and reduce manual processes.
• Develop and document SOPs, controls, and best practices to create a sustainable payroll function.
• Provide leadership and guidance to the payroll team while supporting knowledge transfer and stabilization of the department.

Qualifications:

• 8+ years of progressive payroll experience, including leadership within a complex payroll environment.
• Expertise in ADP Workforce Now
• Strong expertise in multi-state payroll compliance, payroll taxation, wage and hour regulations, and internal controls.
• Demonstrated experience identifying and implementing payroll process improvements and automation.
• Experience managing payroll audits, reconciliations, tax filings, and year-end processes.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to quickly assess and improve an existing payroll operation.
• CPP certification preferred.
• Prior interim, consulting, transformation, or payroll remediation experience strongly preferred.

Work Schedule:

• 2-3 days in office (Downtown, Manhattan)
• 9 - 5 PM (35 hour work week) but strong potential to work up to 40-45 hours at times

Compensation & Benefits

• $55 - 68 per hour
• Medical, Dental, Vision insurance available to opt into

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

If you are interested in this position, please apply now and our team will reach out to you!

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The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act

• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance

• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers

• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance