About This Role
Leading and optimizing the firm's payroll operations, this role involves developing and executing long-term payroll strategies, leveraging AI-driven solutions, and ensuring compliance across all jurisdictions. The Director will serve as the senior payroll subject matter expert, guiding executive leadership on complex matters and driving transformation initiatives. This position is ideal for a seasoned leader with deep expertise in large-scale, multi-state payroll environments.
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute the long-term payroll strategy, optimizing the balance between internal operations, third-party service providers, and emerging AI-driven solutions to improve efficiency and scalability
- Lead and oversee all payroll operations including a partnership with Talent & Culture leadership to ensure accurate and timely processing of employee compensation while maintaining compliance across all applicable federal, state, local, and international jurisdictions
- Serve as the firm's senior payroll subject matter expert, providing strategic guidance, resolving complex payroll matters, and advising executive leadership on payroll-related risks and decisions
- Maintain overall accountability for payroll tax compliance, ensuring adherence to all regulatory requirements and proactively managing audit readiness and risk mitigation efforts
- Drive payroll transformation initiatives by sponsoring automation, agentic AI, and digital innovation programs that enhance operational effectiveness, accuracy, and employee experience
- Build and develop a high-performing payroll leadership team by fostering talent growth, strengthening succession planning, managing performance, and promoting a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence
- Act with integrity, professionalism, and personal responsibility to uphold KPMG's respectful and courteous work environment
Requirements
- Minimum ten years of recent progressive leadership experience in a large-scale, multi-state payroll, tax, finance, or shared services environment, with responsibility for leading complex operations and enterprise-wide initiatives
- Minimum of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, finance, business administration is required
- Ability to leverage tools such as Excel, Power BI, Tableau, and SQL to drive strategic decision-making as well as developing and utilizing AI agents; demonstrated success developing and executing strategic roadmaps for payroll and tax functions, including AI adoption, automation, process optimization, and large-scale transformation initiatives
- Deep expertise in payroll tax regulations, compliance requirements, payroll processing, reporting, risk management, and payroll technology platforms, with authoritative knowledge of payroll tax laws and related controls; strong knowledge of global payroll operations, including expatriate and inpatriate processing, shadow payrolls, tax equalization programs, garnishments, and related policies and procedures
