Associate Director (Remote)

Job Description

Atwell is seeking an Associate Director of Payroll to lead and support the daily operations of our payroll function. This role will be responsible for developing effective payroll processes, overseeing payroll reporting and compliance, mentoring payroll team members, and serving as a subject matter expert for internal and external payroll matters.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on payroll leader with strong technical knowledge, multi-state payroll experience, and the ability to improve processes while maintaining accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, mentor, and support the payroll team, including reviewing work, providing training, and helping team members grow in their roles.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and primary point of contact for payroll-related questions from senior leadership, department leaders, employees, external accountants, and payroll vendors.
• Analyze payroll data and prepare routine and ad hoc payroll reports, including PTO, labor, DOL-related statistics, and other requested reporting.
• Ensure accurate and timely submission of monthly, quarterly, and annual payroll and labor reporting requirements.
• Develop, document, and maintain repeatable payroll processes that support accuracy, consistency, compliance, and efficiency.
• Oversee payroll-related month-end, quarter-end, and year-end financial close activities, including payroll journal entries, reconciliations, payroll expense reporting, special payments, entity setup, and related analytics.
• Monitor payroll and wage laws and regulations to ensure compliance with tax, wage, overtime, PTO, and benefits requirements.
• Review current payroll, deduction, and tax procedures and recommend improvements aligned with best practices.
• Ensure timely payroll tax deposits, quarterly and annual tax filings, year-end processes, and W-2 distribution.
• Support account registration for withholding, unemployment, and other payroll-related taxes across applicable state and local jurisdictions.
• Prepare and submit workers’ compensation returns for monopolistic states.
• Collaborate closely with Finance, Accounting, Human Resources, and leadership to ensure payroll accuracy and alignment with business needs.
• Maintain strict confidentiality when handling sensitive employee and payroll information.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or higher in Human Resources, Accounting, Business, or a related field preferred; equivalent education and relevant experience will also be considered.
• 10+ years of payroll experience, including experience managing or leading a payroll team.
• Experience with multi-state payroll tax jurisdictions required.
• Professional payroll credentials such as CPP, CPM, or CPS preferred.
• Experience with ADP Workforce Now or similar payroll systems highly preferred.
• Experience with Deltek Vision or another ERP system preferred.
• Strong Microsoft Excel, reporting, and data analysis skills.
• Strong understanding of payroll compliance, payroll tax, wage and hour laws, deductions, benefits-related payroll processes, and audit requirements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and lead with discretion, accuracy, and professionalism.

Disclaimer

While AI tools may support your application process, this role is built on human talent. Your judgment, experience, and character matter most, so we encourage you to showcase what makes you uniquely you.

Atwell does not accept unsolicited resumes from any 3rd party agencies. No fee will be paid to 3rd parties who submit unsolicited resumes to any Atwell employee. Resumes from approved vendors must be specifically requested by Atwell and approved by the Atwell Talent Acquisition Team.

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