Director of Payroll & Tax Implementation

Who you are

• A strategic operations leader who balances deep regulatory rigor with a commercial, growth-oriented mindset
• You view payroll and tax implementation as a strategic asset that accelerates growth channels and enables GTM success
• You bridge the gap between complex tax compliance and commercial scalability, ensuring operational excellence becomes a competitive advantage
• You are comfortable navigating high-stakes environments where precision is paramount, yet you possess the agility to adapt processes for rapid business expansion
• You act as a translator, decoding intricate regulatory requirements into streamlined, client-friendly workflows
• 10+ years in payroll tax operations within PEO, ASO, or HR outsourcing environments
• Expertise in multi-state tax compliance and client implementation operating models
• Deep knowledge of TPA environments, vendor management, and compliance governance
• Advanced Excel skills for complex data analysis and electronic tax filing proficiency
• 7+ years of management experience, including 4+ years leading managers and teams of 5+
• Proven ability to motivate, mentor, and develop diverse payroll and tax professionals
• Strong client-facing skills with the ability to simplify complex regulatory matters
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, HR, or Business (or equivalent experience)
• CPP, CPA, or relevant payroll/tax certification strongly preferred

What the job involves

• Implementation Strategy & Commercial Enablement
• Serve as the strategic commercial partner to GTM teams, transforming implementation into a competitive advantage that accelerates deal closure and time-to-revenue
• Architect scalable implementation frameworks that operationalize complex tax and compliance requirements, removing friction for sales and enhancing the client experience from day one
• Lead complex client migrations and platform transitions, managing risk with high-fidelity operational rigor while proactively advocating for client-centric, commercially viable solutions
• Define and execute the operational playbook for new growth channels, ensuring that compliance and regulatory standards act as a foundation for, rather than a barrier to, commercial velocity
• Collaborate with Product and Sales leadership to turn operational complexity into clear, compelling value propositions, fostering client trust through predictable, high-accuracy transitions
• Payroll & Tax Compliance Operations
• Establish and enforce payroll operational governance across all implementation activities, in compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, including multi-state tax registrations, wage and hour requirements, FLSA requirements, and accurate payroll tax setup
• Ensure accurate quarter and year-end processing including federal, state, and local tax reconciliations, W-2/1099 issuance, and audit-ready documentation
• Design and maintain internal controls, audit procedures, and compliance documentation to minimize payroll errors, tax penalties, and regulatory violations
• Partner with Compliance, Legal, and Tax to incorporate relevant federal, state, and local tax law changes into implementation processes; provide operational guidance to internal teams and serve as escalation point for complex payroll and tax-related matters
• Address payroll tax inquiries and issues; collaborate with federal, state, and local tax authorities on tax notices and audit responses
• Maintain a high level of data integrity for the Customer Success team by auditing clients' payroll data—including tax filings and imported payroll history from a client's previous provider—and ensuring Justworks is set up to file with the appropriate tax agencies
• TPA Integration Governance & Operational Controls
• Lead operational governance framework development for TPA integrations and support compliance attestations and third-party risk management
• Establish control matrices, documentation requirements, data validation procedures, and reconciliation controls
• Partner with Compliance, Legal, and Risk teams on regulatory audits, attestations, and internal controls testing; manage associated operational corrective action plans and remediation
• Support SOX/SOC 2 compliance initiatives and coordinate audit preparation and documentation
• Team Leadership & Scaling
• Lead and develop a high-performing, efficient payroll and compliance team; provide guidance, mentorship, and development to specialists and tax professionals
• Attract top talent and build diverse teams capable of scaling; establish career development paths and continuous learning culture
• Architect scalable processes and leverage technology/automation to handle volume without proportional headcount increases
• Continuously evaluate and implement best practices; drive operational excellence through process streamlining, efficiency improvements, and innovation
• By fostering deep cross-functional relationships, you ensure that the implementation journey not only secures the enterprise but also empowers our commercial teams to sell with confidence and speed
• As the Director of Payroll and Tax Implementation, how you achieve results is as important as the results themselves. Your success is anchored in these core competencies and values:
• Strategic Mindset: You see ahead to future possibilities and translate them into breakthrough strategies. You balance deep operational expertise with the ability to think strategically about how implementation can become a competitive advantage
• Drives Vision & Purpose: You paint a compelling picture of the vision and strategy that motivates others to action. You command a room, share challenges and successes through storytelling, and inspire your team to pursue excellence
• Build Networks: You effectively build diverse formal and informal relationship networks inside and outside the organization. You partner closely with Sales, Finance, Compliance, and external stakeholders (tax authorities, TPAs, auditors)
• Attracts Top Talent: You attract and select the best diverse talent to meet current and future business needs. You are known for developing future leaders and building high-performing teams
• Cultivates Innovation: You inspire creativity and curiosity, push beyond comfort zones, and prioritize learning and development for yourself and your team. You identify automation opportunities and drive process innovation
• Develops Talent: You develop people to meet both their career goals and the organization's goals through effective performance management, candid feedback, and coaching conversations
• Consultative Approach: You focus on building relationships, understanding challenges, and developing solutions through active listening and open-ended questions. You partner with clients and internal stakeholders to address their needs

Benefits

• Paid volunteer work
• Paid parental leave
• Work from home opportunities
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus access to One Medical, Kindbody, and Teladoc
• Premium access to Headspace, ClassPass stipends, and webinars to support your overall wellness on topics like nutrition, budgeting, mindfulness, and more
• All Justworks offers include equity, and Justworkers can continue to earn more over time with promotions and tenure
• Extensive learning & development opportunities through workshops, ExecOnline, Udemy, and BetterUp coaching
• Apprenticeship program that supports internal movement and growth