Payroll Director

Payroll Director

Are you an experienced payroll leader who thrives in complex, fast-moving environments and loves ensuring accuracy, compliance, and strong team performance? StaffBuffalo is excited to partner with a rapidly growing, technological organization in Buffalo, NY to hire a Payroll Director — paying $90,000–$125,000/year. This is an exceptional opportunity for a polished professional who enjoys taking ownership of a multi-state payroll operation, supporting union and non-union employees, and guiding a team through both day-to-day execution and long-term process improvements.

The Payroll Director will serve as the organization's go-to expert for all payroll matters — from collective bargaining requirements and prevailing wage to system enhancements, audits, tax compliance, and leadership support. You'll oversee a fast-paced, high-volume payroll function, ensuring every pay cycle is accurate, timely, and fully compliant with federal, state, and local regulations. This role is ideal for someone who brings both strategic insight and hands-on execution, who enjoys leading people, solving problems, and partnering across HR, Finance, and Operations.

If you're looking for a role where your strategic expertise, judgment, and leadership as a Payroll Director will directly support organizational success — this could be the perfect next step in your career.

This is a full-time, on-site position in the Buffalo area.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, and develop the payroll team to ensure accuracy, compliance, and strong internal service across the organization.
• Oversee all aspects of multi-state, multi-entity payroll processing, including union and non-union employees as well as collective bargaining agreements.
• Interpret and maintain compliance with wage and hour laws, prevailing wage regulations, and payroll tax rules at the federal, state, and local levels.
• Manage payroll audits, reporting, system enhancements, process documentation, and internal controls.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, and Operations on compensation changes, M&A integrations, new system implementations, and workflow improvements.
• Serve as the senior escalation point for payroll questions, problem resolution, and complex payroll scenarios.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• 5+ years of payroll management experience, with 3+ years in a leadership role.
• Strong experience in multi-state payroll, union payroll, collective bargaining agreements, and prevailing wages.
• Familiarity with certified payroll, federal/state/county prevailing wage, and payroll compliance requirements.
• Experience supporting payroll during organizational changes, including mergers or integrations.
• Hands-on experience with HRIS/payroll systems; UKG experience strongly preferred.
• Proven success leading teams in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment.
• Excellent communication, customer service, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to adapt, prioritize, and maintain accuracy in a fast-paced setting.

Benefits

• Salary: $90,000–$125,000/year
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• PTO and Paid Holidays
• 401(k) with employer match
• HSA/FSA options, including employer HSA contribution
• Life & Disability insurance
• Long-term career growth opportunities
• Collaborative, innovative team environment

The advertised pay range represents what we believe at the time of this job posting, that our client would be willing to pay for this position. Only in special circumstances, where a candidate has education, training, or experience that far exceeds the requirements for the position, would we consider paying higher than the stated range.

First time working with a Recruiter? No problem! We make the process as smooth and straightforward as possible. Communication is key – to get started, all we need from you is an updated resume and some time to chat. Our team will get to know and your future career goals. Throughout the process, we will provide resume feedback, schedule and prepare you for interviews, provide client feedback, and coach you through the offer stage.

StaffBuffalo is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment on account of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, age, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, physical or mental disability, military status, or unfavorable discharge from military service.

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