Director of Human Resources, Payroll, and Benefits

We are a growing, multi-state organization seeking a highly capable, detail-oriented, and hands-on Director of Human Resources, Payroll & Benefits to lead and strengthen our people operations function. This role is ideal for a leader who thrives in a fast-paced, multi-location environment and can balance strategic oversight with strong day-to-day execution.

Supporting approximately 1,000 employees across multiple locations and business entities, this position plays a critical role in ensuring operational excellence across human resources, payroll, benefits administration, compliance, and employee support functions.

The Director of Human Resources, Payroll & Benefits is responsible for leading the organization's human resources, payroll, and benefits functions across all business operations. This role ensures accurate and timely payroll processing, effective benefits administration, compliance with employment laws and regulations, and consistent execution of core HR processes.

This leader will oversee and develop the HR and Payroll team while serving as a key partner to executive leadership on employee relations, compliance, reporting, workforce planning, and organizational effectiveness. The role is responsible for building structure, accountability, and process discipline while improving consistency, service levels, and execution across a growing organization.

The ideal candidate is proactive, highly organized, and execution-focused, with strong judgment, a high level of discretion, and the ability to create reliable, repeatable processes in a dynamic environment.

• Lead and oversee all HR, payroll, and benefits operations for approximately 1,000 employees across multiple states and locations


• Supervise, develop, and support HR and Payroll team members


• Ensure accurate and timely payroll processing, including review of timekeeping, deductions, garnishments, adjustments, and year-end reporting


• Oversee benefits administration, including enrollments, changes, terminations, employee communications, and vendor coordination


• Maintain employee records and ensure strong documentation, data integrity, and confidentiality across HR and payroll systems


• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and payroll regulations, including wage and hour requirements, I-9 compliance, ACA reporting, unemployment requirements, and related filings


• Oversee onboarding, employee status changes, offboarding, and related employee lifecycle processes


• Support employee relations matters with sound judgment, professionalism, and appropriate documentation


• Maintain and update HR policies, procedures, and employee handbook content as needed


• Build, improve, and standardize HR and payroll processes to increase consistency, efficiency, and accountability


• Partner with Accounting and leadership to ensure accurate payroll-related reporting and data integrity


• Prepare and review internal reports, audit support schedules, and compliance documentation


• Monitor and improve service levels related to employee inquiries, payroll issues, benefits administration, and HR support


• Identify operational risks, process gaps, and inefficiencies and implement practical solutions


• Support leadership on organizational planning, policy interpretation, and workforce-related operational matters


• Assist with special projects and initiatives that support company growth and organizational development


• Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or a related field


• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience in human resources, payroll, benefits administration, or related functions


• Experience managing HR and payroll operations in a multi-location or multi-entity environment preferred


• Prior supervisory or people-management experience required


• Strong working knowledge of payroll administration, employee benefits, and employment law compliance


• Experience handling sensitive employee matters and confidential information with professionalism and discretion


• Strong systems aptitude and proficiency with HRIS, HCM, and payroll platforms


• Excellent organizational, communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills


• Ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining attention to detail and operational excellence