Director of Payroll

Stamford Health, a leading, mission-driven health system serving a large and diverse patient population across hospital and medical group settings, has retained Tal Healthcare to identify its next Director of Payroll. This is a highly visible leadership opportunity for a Payroll Director to oversee and optimize complex, multi-state payroll operations supporting approximately 5,000 employees across multiple payroll cycles.
Reporting into senior Finance leadership, this role will set the strategic direction for payroll operations, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and scalability while driving continuous improvement. The Payroll Director will partner closely with HR, Information Systems, and external vendors to enhance systems and processes across ADP Enterprise, Kronos, and Oracle HRIS in a sophisticated healthcare environment.

Key Responsibilities 

• Provide end-to-end leadership of payroll operations, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing across multiple employee groups and payroll cycles.
• Oversee outsourced payroll functions and ensure strong internal controls, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence.
• Lead and develop the payroll team, establishing a high-performing function with strong service orientation and cross-functional collaboration.
• Partner with HR, Finance, and IT leadership to optimize payroll systems, including ADP, Kronos, and Oracle interfaces; lead upgrades, testing, and process enhancements.
• Establish, monitor, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) to drive efficiency, accuracy, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure full compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations, wage and hour laws, and reporting requirements.
• Oversee payroll-related reporting for financial close, executive leadership, and organizational analysis.
• Lead audit preparation and support across financial audits, internal audits, retirement plan audits, and other regulatory reviews.
• Direct payroll tax reporting and year-end processes, including W-2 issuance, reconciliations, and support for Form 990 reporting requirements.
• Identify and implement best practices, policies, and controls to strengthen payroll operations and support organizational growth.

• 7+ years of progressive payroll experience, including leadership of payroll functions in complex, multi-state environments.
• Experience overseeing payroll operations for large organizations (1,000+ employees), ideally within healthcare or other highly regulated industries.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing and developing high-performing teams.
• Deep expertise in payroll compliance, tax regulations, and wage and hour laws.
• Hands-on experience with ADP Enterprise and Kronos required (Dimensions experience a plus).
• Experience with Oracle or similar ERP/HRIS systems preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with advanced Excel proficiency.
• Proven ability to lead system implementations, upgrades, and process improvement initiatives.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence across all levels of the organization.
• High level of discretion and integrity in handling sensitive employee information.

• Competitive salary plus bonus potential.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision.
• Generous PTO and holiday structure.
• Retirement plan options.
• Opportunity to play a key leadership role within a large, stable, and growing health system.