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Director Of Payroll Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

The Payroll Supervisor is responsible for all activities of the payroll department for the USA and ... of new hires, temporary workers, transfers, promotions, rate changes, direct deposit accounts ...

Payroll Specialist

Brookfield, WI

$22.25 - $30.25/hr

Our culture of inclusion and collaboration enables us to support our members' financial wellbeing ... direct deposit updates, garnishments, and tax withholdings. 5. Audit payroll reports and resolve ...

Payroll Specialist

Brookfield, WI · On-site

$22.25 - $30.25/hr

Our culture of inclusion and collaboration enables us to support our members' financial wellbeing ... direct deposit updates, garnishments, and tax withholdings. 5. Audit payroll reports and resolve ...

Review policies and procedures and brings any discrepancies to the attention of the Payroll Supervisor or Director. Minimum Experience & Education: * High School Diploma or G.E.D. equivalent. * At ...

The Director of Finance prepares and administers the Lourdes Academy budget, guides the development of financing strategies, and supervises the Accounting and Payroll Specialist, and Enrollment ...

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Showing results 1-20

Director Of Payroll information

See Wisconsin salary details

$58K

$117.5K

$166.5K

How much do director of payroll jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of payroll in Wisconsin is $117,503.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $96,900.00 and $136,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director Of Payroll, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director Of Payroll, you need deep expertise in payroll regulations, tax compliance, and accounting principles, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or a related field. Proficiency with payroll software (such as ADP, SAP, or Workday), as well as certifications like CPP (Certified Payroll Professional), is highly valued. Strong leadership, analytical skills, and the ability to communicate complex information clearly distinguish top performers in this role. These capabilities ensure accurate, compliant payroll processing and effective team management, minimizing risk and supporting organizational success.

What are some common challenges a Director of Payroll faces when managing multi-state or international payroll operations?

A Director of Payroll often encounters challenges related to varying tax laws, compliance requirements, and reporting standards across different states or countries. Keeping up to date with frequent regulatory changes, ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing, and coordinating with HR, finance, and legal departments can be complex. Effective directors implement robust systems and regular training to mitigate compliance risks and foster strong communication across teams.

What does a Director of Payroll do?

A Director of Payroll is responsible for overseeing an organization's entire payroll function, ensuring that employees are paid accurately and on time. They manage payroll staff, develop and implement policies, ensure compliance with tax laws and regulations, and often handle auditing and reporting tasks. The Director of Payroll also collaborates with other departments such as finance and human resources to ensure seamless payroll operations. Their role is crucial in maintaining employee satisfaction and regulatory compliance.

What is the difference between Director Of Payroll vs Payroll Manager?

AspectDirector Of PayrollPayroll Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees payroll operations, develops policies, manages teams, ensures complianceManages payroll processing, verifies data accuracy, supervises payroll staff
Required CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor’s degree in finance or HR, payroll certifications (e.g., CPP)Usually requires a bachelor’s degree, payroll certifications preferred
Work EnvironmentStrategic, leadership-focused, often in corporate HR or finance departmentsOperational, hands-on payroll processing in HR or finance teams

The main difference between a Director Of Payroll and a Payroll Manager lies in scope and focus. The Director oversees the entire payroll function, setting policies and strategic direction, while the Payroll Manager handles day-to-day payroll processing and staff supervision. Both roles often require similar credentials and work within the same industry environments, but the Director has a broader leadership role.

What are the most commonly searched types of Of Payroll jobs in Wisconsin? The most popular types of Of Payroll jobs in Wisconsin are:
What are popular job titles related to Director Of Payroll jobs in Wisconsin? For Director Of Payroll jobs in Wisconsin, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Wisconsin are hiring for Director Of Payroll jobs? Cities in Wisconsin with the most Director Of Payroll job openings:

Payroll Director - Managed HR Services

Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP

Madison, WI • On-site, Remote

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Overview
Baker Tilly is a leading advisory, tax and assurance firm, providing clients with a genuine coast-to-coast and global advantage in major regions of the U.S. and in many of the world's leading financial centers - New York, London, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and Boston. Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP and Baker Tilly US, LLP (Baker Tilly) provide professional services through an alternative practice structure in accordance with the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and applicable laws, regulations and professional standards. Baker Tilly US, LLP is a licensed independent CPA firm that provides attest services to its clients. Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP and its subsidiary entities provide tax and business advisory services to their clients. Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP and its subsidiary entities are not licensed CPA firms.
Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP and Baker Tilly US, LLP, trading as Baker Tilly, are independent members of Baker Tilly International, a worldwide network of independent accounting and business advisory firms in 141 territories, with 43,000 professionals and a combined worldwide revenue of $5.2 billion. Visit bakertilly.com or join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.
Please discuss the work location status with your Baker Tilly talent acquisition professional to understand the requirements for an opportunity you are exploring.
Baker Tilly is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable federal, state or local law.
Any unsolicited resumes submitted through our website or to Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP, employee e-mail accounts are considered property of Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP, and are not subject to payment of agency fees. In order to be an authorized recruitment agency ("search firm") for Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP, there must be a formal written agreement in place and the agency must be invited, by Baker Tilly's Talent Attraction team, to submit candidates for review via our applicant tracking system.
Job Description:
Position Summary
The Payroll Director will serve as a senior leader within Managed HR Services, reporting to the Principal of MS HRS Payroll & HR. This individual will be responsible for overseeing payroll operations, leading a team of 10-15 professionals, driving revenue growth, and shaping the strategic direction of payroll services. The role requires deep functional payroll expertise, strong leadership in a remote environment, and the ability to build scalable systems, processes, and client solutions.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Management
  • Lead, develop, and manage a team of payroll associates, implementation specialists, and managers (10-15 team members)
  • Establish clear performance expectations, accountability, and development plans
  • Foster a high-performing, collaborative, and client-focused culture across a distributed team
  • Provide leadership in managing remote teams effectively and efficiently

Client Delivery & Operational Excellence
  • Oversee end-to-end payroll service delivery, including processing, review / support, compliance, issue resolution, and client communication
  • Ensure timely response and resolution of payroll issues, aligning with service expectations (e.g., rapid response for critical issues)
  • Maintain high standards of payroll accuracy, compliance, and client satisfaction across all engagements
  • Partner with implementation teams to ensure seamless onboarding, system configuration, and payroll transitions

Systems, Implementation & Process Design
  • Lead payroll system implementations, including configuration, data migration, testing, and go-live execution
  • Design, build, and optimize scalable payroll processes and operational workflows
  • Identify opportunities to streamline manual processes and improve efficiency through technology and automation
  • Collaborate with internal and external technology partners (including ADP and Intuit) to optimize system performance and integrations

Technology & Innovation
  • Leverage payroll technologies, including ADP platforms (RUN and Workforce Now preferred), to deliver scalable client solutions
  • Drive adoption of emerging tools, including AI-enabled capabilities, to improve payroll accuracy, efficiency, and insights
  • Ensure alignment between payroll systems, HRIS platforms, and financial integrations

Growth & Strategic Development
  • Support and drive payroll revenue growth through client expansion, cross-sell opportunities, and service enhancements
  • Identify and develop new market segments and client demographics for payroll services
  • Contribute to go-to-market strategy, service offerings, and pricing approaches
  • Partner with firm leadership on long-term strategy and scaling the payroll practice

Client Relationship Management
  • Serve as a senior escalation point and trusted advisor for key client relationships
  • Ensure strong communication, transparency, and responsiveness in all client interactions
  • Deliver consultative insights to clients related to payroll operations, compliance, and system optimization

Qualifications
Required
  • Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)
  • 7-10+ years of progressive payroll experience
  • 3-5+ years of people management experience
  • Deep functional knowledge of payroll operations, compliance, and multi-state payroll requirements
  • Proven ability to lead teams and manage complex payroll environments
  • Experience building systems, processes, and operational infrastructure from scratch
  • Strong ability to operate autonomously and make independent decisions

Preferred
  • Experience with Intuit and ADP payroll platforms, including ADP RUN and ADP Workforce Now
  • Background in a consulting or outsourced services environment
  • Experience managing payroll implementations across diverse client environments
  • Familiarity with integrating payroll with HRIS, timekeeping, benefits, and financial systems
  • Experience leveraging AI or advanced tools to enhance payroll processes

Success Profile
The ideal candidate is:
  • Strategic yet hands-on
  • Highly organized and execution-oriented
  • Adaptable and responsive to changing client and market needs
  • Comfortable operating in ambiguity and building structure where none exists
  • Focused on quality, scalability, and continuous improvement

Why This Role Matters
This role is critical to scaling the payroll function, enhancing service delivery, and positioning the firm for growth across new client segments. The Payroll Director will play a central role in shaping the future of payroll services and delivering measurable business impact.
The pay rate range for this job position is $116,000 to $345,330. Actual compensation is influenced by a variety of relevant factors including but not limited to applicant's skills, prior experience, qualifications, degrees, professional certifications, work arrangements and geographic location. Baker Tilly offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package to eligible employees.