Head of Payroll Operations

• This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Head of Payroll Operations based in United States.
• The Head of Payroll Operations will lead the development and scaling of a modern payroll function supporting businesses in the agricultural sector.
• This role combines operational leadership, compliance expertise, customer partnership, and process innovation to deliver accurate and reliable payroll services.
• You will own payroll operations strategy, build high-performing teams, and establish scalable systems that improve efficiency and customer satisfaction.
• Working in a fast-paced technology environment, you will collaborate closely with product, sales, and implementation teams to enhance payroll solutions.
• The ideal candidate is a strategic payroll leader who enjoys solving complex operational challenges and building processes from the ground up.
• This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact by transforming how workforce management and payroll are delivered to customers.

Accountabilities

The Head of Payroll Operations will oversee the end-to-end delivery of payroll services, ensuring accuracy, compliance, operational excellence, and exceptional customer experiences. This role requires a hands-on leader who can build teams, optimize processes, and partner across functions to support business growth.

• Lead and scale payroll operations, ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely payroll execution for all customers.
• Design, improve, and standardize payroll implementation processes to increase efficiency while maintaining high compliance and service standards.
• Diagnose payroll issues, drive immediate resolutions, and develop long-term solutions through process improvements and product enhancements.
• Own payroll accuracy, compliance practices, and operational performance across customer accounts.
• Provide payroll and tax guidance to customers during onboarding and throughout ongoing service delivery.
• Partner closely with product teams to ensure software solutions meet payroll compliance requirements and continuously improve customer workflows.
• Hire, train, mentor, and manage payroll operations team members, including implementation, support, and payroll specialists.
• Establish operational metrics, workflows, and best practices that enable the team to scale effectively.
• Maintain strong relationships with payroll providers and external partners.
• Travel approximately 25% of the time to support customer relationships and operational needs.

Requirements

The ideal candidate is an experienced payroll operations leader with a strong background in compliance, team leadership, and building scalable processes. You should be comfortable operating in a high-growth environment and balancing strategic planning with hands-on execution.

• 5+ years of experience in payroll operations, with demonstrated expertise in building and improving payroll processes.
• Proven experience leading and developing high-performing operational teams.
• Strong understanding of payroll regulations, compliance requirements, policies, and industry best practices.
• Experience managing payroll providers, vendors, and operational partnerships.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex payroll challenges and implement sustainable solutions.
• Strong customer-facing skills with the ability to communicate payroll guidance clearly and effectively.
• Exceptional attention to detail with a commitment to accuracy and quality.
• Experience improving operational efficiency while maintaining strong customer satisfaction.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, startup-style environment with changing priorities.
• Strong leadership, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package based on experience, skills, location, and market factors.
• Opportunity to play a key leadership role in transforming payroll operations within a rapidly growing technology environment.
• Flexible and innovative workplace culture focused on ownership, impact, and continuous improvement.
• The chance to work on solutions that modernize workforce management for businesses and improve access to financial tools for workers.
• Collaborative environment with opportunities to partner across product, sales, and operations teams.
• Inclusive workplace culture that values diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences.
• Opportunities for professional growth while building and scaling a critical business function.