Director of Payroll Tax Compliance

This is a Full Time Job

Position Overview

The Director, Payroll Tax is a strategic and operational leader responsible for overseeing payroll tax compliance, reporting, and advisory activities across the United States and Canada. Reporting to the SVP of Accounting, this role partners closely with Payroll Operations, Product Management, Technology, Human Resources, and Accounting to ensure compliance with all payroll tax regulations while driving process improvements, operational efficiency, and strong internal controls.

The Director will lead and develop a team of payroll tax professionals and serve as a subject matter expert on payroll tax matters. This position requires a hands-on leader who can effectively balance strategic initiatives on operational efficiency, including an aptitude for understanding how data flows in payroll systems, with day-to-day operational execution. The successful candidate will possess deep payroll tax expertise, strong analytical skills, and the ability to collaborate across multiple functions to support business objectives and regulatory compliance.

Core Responsibilities
• Lead, develop, and mentor a team of six payroll tax professionals, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and professional growth.
• Oversee all payroll tax filings, payments, and related compliance activities for legal entities across the United States and Canada.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for regulatory agencies regarding payroll tax audits, inquiries, notices, and compliance matters.
• Partner with the SVP of Accounting and peer leaders to develop and execute payroll tax strategies that support organizational goals and compliance requirements.
• Identify and implement process improvements that enhance scalability, accuracy, efficiency, and customer service.
• Oversee year-end payroll tax processing activities, including W-2 and other required reporting, system updates, and regulatory filing requirements.
• Establish, maintain, and enhance policies, procedures, and internal controls related to payroll tax compliance and reporting.
• Review payroll tax account reconciliations and oversee resolution of tax liabilities, credits, refunds, and agency correspondence.
• Ensure appropriate documentation, knowledge transfer, and cross-training across the payroll tax function.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments impacting payroll tax compliance and communicate business impacts and required actions to stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Payroll Operations, Product Management, Technology, and Finance teams to evaluate, prioritize, and implement system enhancements and compliance-related changes.
• Develop business requirements and participate in testing, implementation, and validation of payroll tax system enhancements.
• Serve as a payroll tax subject matter expert for enterprise initiatives, acquisitions, system implementations, and other strategic projects.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including clients, vendors, auditors, and government agencies.

Required Qualifications
• 10+ years of progressive payroll tax experience, including at least 5 in a leadership role managing payroll tax compliance functions
• Strong knowledge of U.S. and Canadian payroll tax regulations, filings, and compliance requirements
• Experience managing complex payroll tax operations within large, multi-state and multi-jurisdiction organizations
• Demonstrated success leading teams, developing talent, and driving organizational change
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, project management, and decision-making capabilities
• Proven ability to operate effectively in a high-volume, deadline-driven, and rapidly evolving environment.10 years of experience with a minimum of 5 years specific to payroll tax compliance and management
• Expert level computer skills including Excel, Word, and MS Outlook
• Hands-on experience using AI tools within your discipline - able to speak to specific tools used, workflow integration, and measurable business impact - with a drive to continuously experiment with and apply emerging AI capabilities

Preferred Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance or equivalent – CPA, CPP, or FPC certification preferred
• Experience with enterprise payroll and financial systems; Oracle Financials experience preferred
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with the ability to influence stakeholders across all levels of the organization
• Entertainment, media, or production industry experience preferred

Special Work Conditions
• Sedentary – Involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Some positions may entail exerting up to 15 lbs. of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force to lift, carry, push, or pull.

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