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Payroll Director Jobs in Santa Rosa, CA (NOW HIRING)

Director of Finance Napa Valley, California About Us We are an iconic, highly regarded winery in ... payroll, and cash management Lead the month-end and year-end close processes and ensure timely ...

Prepare bi-weekly payroll reports. Responsible for the review and approval of all bi-weekly payroll ... or as directed by the TRILOGY Corporate Team. * Ensure compliance with timely response and ...

Spa Director

Sonoma, CA

$85K - $105K/yr

Prepare bi-weekly payroll reports. Responsible for the review and approval of all bi-weekly payroll ... or as directed by the TRILOGY Corporate Team. * Ensure compliance with timely response and ...

Finance Director

Sonoma, CA · On-site

$90 - $120/hr

To plan, organize, direct and review the activities and operations of the Finance Department including utility billing, payroll and budget; to coordinate assigned activities with other departments ...

Spear head payroll and own Unifocus accounting functions. * Monitors reconciliation of the balance ... the Director of Finance with all Accounting related items. * Maintain compliance with Hotel ...

A stable, well-established company is seeking a Director of Accounting to lead its accounting ... Oversee general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, fixed assets, and other ...

Showing results 21-40

Payroll Director information

See Santa Rosa, CA salary details

$62.9K

$127.3K

$180.4K

How much do payroll director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for payroll director in Santa Rosa, CA is $127,280.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $105,000.00 and $147,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a payroll director?

Payroll Directors are senior professionals responsible for overseeing an organization’s payroll operations, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time. They manage payroll staff, develop and implement payroll policies, ensure compliance with tax laws and regulations, and often collaborate with HR and finance departments. Payroll Directors also handle complex payroll issues, audit processes, and may be involved in selecting and maintaining payroll systems. Their role is crucial in maintaining employee satisfaction and organizational compliance.

What does a payroll director do?

A payroll director oversees the payroll department, ensures that accounting is accurate, and pays all payroll taxes for their organization. As a payroll director, your daily duties involve reconciling payroll ledgers, confirming tax laws and regulations are met, and managing employee compensation and benefits. A payroll director may also be responsible for hiring and training new employees.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a payroll director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Payroll Director, you need deep expertise in payroll processing, tax compliance, and relevant labor laws, typically backed by a degree in finance, accounting, or business and several years of payroll management experience. Familiarity with payroll software (such as ADP, SAP, or Workday), data analysis tools, and certifications like Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) are commonly required. Exceptional leadership, attention to detail, and strong communication skills set top candidates apart in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring accurate, timely payroll operations and minimizing legal and financial risks for the organization.

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

Payroll Directors overseeing multi-state or international operations often encounter challenges such as navigating varying tax laws, compliance regulations, and reporting requirements for each jurisdiction. They must stay updated on frequent legislative changes and ensure accuracy across different systems, which may require collaborating closely with legal, finance, and HR teams. Effective communication, attention to detail, and strong organizational skills are essential to mitigate compliance risks and streamline payroll processes across diverse locations.

What is the difference between Payroll Director vs Payroll Manager?

AspectPayroll DirectorPayroll Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees entire payroll department, develops policies, ensures compliance, manages teamManages payroll processing, supervises staff, ensures accurate and timely payroll
Required CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance, payroll certifications (e.g., CPP)Usually requires similar credentials, payroll certifications often preferred
Work EnvironmentExecutive-level, strategic focus, higher-level decision makingOperational focus, day-to-day payroll processing
Industry UsageCommon in large organizations and corporationsFound in organizations of various sizes, often as a supervisory role

The Payroll Director and Payroll Manager roles share many credentials and work environments, but the Director typically handles strategic oversight and policy development, while the Manager focuses on daily payroll operations. Both positions are essential in payroll departments, especially in larger organizations.

What are the most commonly searched types of Payroll jobs in Santa Rosa, CA?

The most popular types of Payroll jobs in Santa Rosa, CA are:

What are popular job titles related to Payroll Director jobs in Santa Rosa, CA?

For Payroll Director jobs in Santa Rosa, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Payroll Director jobs in Santa Rosa, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Payroll Director jobs in Santa Rosa, CA are:

What cities near Santa Rosa, CA are hiring for Payroll Director jobs?

Cities near Santa Rosa, CA with the most Payroll Director job openings:

Infographic showing various Payroll Director job openings in Santa Rosa, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $127,280 per year, or $61.2 per hour.

HR, Payroll & Compliance Specialist

Northbay Recruiter

Napa, CA

$90K - $110K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Process accurate and timely payroll for hourly and salaried employees.

  • Administer new hire onboarding, employee records, benefits, and HR documentation.

  • Support employee relations while ensuring compliance with company policies, California labor laws, and employment regulations.


Job description

Bilingual HR, Payroll & Compliance Specialist

Location: Napa, CA (100% Onsite)
Employment Type: Full-Time

Our client, a well-established transportation company, is seeking an experienced Bilingual HR, Payroll & Compliance Specialist to join their team. This is an excellent opportunity for a detail-oriented HR professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and has a strong understanding of payroll, employee relations, and HR administration.

Because this role supports a highly regulated transportation operation, prior transportation or trucking industry experience is required. The ideal candidate will understand the unique federal and state regulations governing commercial drivers and fleet operations, allowing them to make an immediate impact with minimal ramp-up time.

Key Responsibilities
  • Process accurate and timely payroll for hourly and salaried employees.

  • Administer new hire onboarding, employee records, benefits, and HR documentation.

  • Support employee relations while ensuring compliance with company policies, California labor laws, and employment regulations.

  • Maintain personnel files, payroll records, and HR reports.

  • Assist with workers' compensation, leave administration, and other HR functions.

  • Partner with management to support day-to-day HR operations in a fast-paced transportation environment.

  • Ensure compliance with transportation-specific regulations and maintain required driver and fleet documentation.

Required Qualifications
  • Minimum of 4 years of Human Resources and Payroll experience.

  • Transportation or trucking industry experience is required.

  • Bilingual in English and Spanish is strongly preferred.

  • Working knowledge of California labor laws, payroll practices, and HR compliance.

  • Experience processing high-volume payroll is a plus.

  • Proficiency with HRIS and payroll systems, as well as Microsoft Office.

  • Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Transportation Compliance Experience

The ideal candidate will have experience supporting HR and compliance functions within a trucking or transportation environment and be familiar with many of the following:

  • FMCSA compliance

  • DOT compliance

  • Driver Qualification (DQ) files

  • Driver onboarding and qualification processes

  • DOT drug and alcohol testing programs

  • CDL compliance and medical certificate tracking

  • Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) monitoring

  • IFTA reporting

  • BIT inspections and related documentation

  • MCS-150 filings

  • FMCSA Clearinghouse requirements

  • Clean Truck Check compliance

  • DataQs appeals

  • Driver and vehicle registration compliance

  • Creating and maintaining driver and fleet compliance records

Why You'll Love This Opportunity
  • Join a stable, well-established transportation company.

  • Play a key role supporting both employees and leadership.

  • Enjoy a diverse position that combines payroll, HR, and transportation compliance.

  • Work in a collaborative, team-oriented environment where your expertise will make a direct impact.

If you have a strong HR and payroll background, transportation industry experience, and enjoy supporting employees while ensuring compliance in a highly regulated environment, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply here or email your resume directly to jenny@northbayrecruiter.com.

Please Note: This is a full-time, 100% onsite position located in Napa, CA. Candidates must currently reside within commuting distance of the job location. We are not considering out-of-state or international applicants at this time.

Transportation/trucking industry experience is a required qualification for this position.