Director, Payroll, Benefits, & People Compliance

Job Description:

Position Summary

The Director, Payroll, Benefits & People Compliance is a leader within People Shared Services responsible for the execution and operational excellence of payroll, benefits administration, and people compliance programs. This role leads a team responsible for accurate payroll processing, comprehensive employee benefits administration, regulatory compliance, audit readiness, and policy execution while driving continuous improvement across the employee lifecycle.

Reporting to the Vice President, People Shared Services, this leader serves as a key operational partner responsible for ensuring scalable, compliant, and efficient people operations in support of business growth. The Director partners closely with Finance, Legal, Information Security, Internal Audit, Technology, and other business leaders to mitigate risk, strengthen controls, and enhance the employee experience.

This position is ideal for a leader who combines deep payroll and benefits operations expertise with a continuous improvement mindset, strong people leadership, and the ability to translate complex requirements into scalable, practical processes.

This is a full-time position. We will only consider candidates for this position who can accommodate a hybrid work schedule and are close to our office location in Charlotte, NC.

Primary Responsibilities

Payroll Leadership

• Lead all U.S. payroll operations ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant payroll processing.
• Oversee multi-state payroll administration across employees located in more than 40 states, including complex state and local requirements.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local payroll regulations.
• Partner with Finance on payroll accounting, reconciliations, SOX controls, and audit support.
• Establish operational metrics and service levels to improve payroll quality and efficiency.
• Lead payroll process improvement initiatives leveraging Workday and integrated technologies, with a focus on reducing manual processes, strengthening controls, and creating scalable workflows.
• Support future global payroll operations as the organization expands internationally.

Benefits Leadership

• Provide leadership for all employee benefit programs including: M/D/V, Life Insurance, Disability, Retirement Plans, Wellness Programs, Leave Programs
• Oversee administration of the company's self-funded health plans.
• Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, Section 125, and other applicable regulations.
• Partner with brokers, consultants, TPAs, carriers, and external vendors.
• Lead annual Open Enrollment planning and execution.
• Oversee vendor performance and benefit plan governance.
• Strengthen benefits administration processes to support scale, reduce operational dependencies, and improve employee education and self-service.

People Compliance & Governance

• Manage and coordinate People Compliance activities, helping ensure adherence to applicable employment laws, regulatory requirements, and internal policies.
• Oversee compliance related to payroll, benefits, leaves of absence, wage and hour regulations, employee records, and people operations.
• Lead the coordination of internal and external audit efforts, including SOX controls and regulatory examinations.
• Ensure timely responses to audit requests and implementation of corrective actions.
• Partner with Legal, Internal Audit, Benefits, Talent Acquisition, and other stakeholders to interpret regulatory changes, assess operational impact, and coordinate implementation of new requirements.
• Develop operational controls that improve governance across People Shared Services.
• Support compliance initiatives involving data privacy, PII governance, records retention, and HR data governance, in partnership with appropriate subject matter experts.

Operational Leadership

• Lead and develop managers responsible for Payroll and Benefits.
• Build scalable operating models supporting company growth.
• Establish KPIs, dashboards, and operational reporting.
• Drive continuous improvement through automation, standardization, and process optimization.
• Serve as an escalation point for complex operational issues.
• Coach and empower the team to build expertise, strengthen processes, and deliver an effective employee service experience.
• Foster a culture of accountability, service excellence, and continuous learning.

Qualifications and Experience

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in payroll, benefits, or HR operations.
• 5+ years leading managers and operational teams.
• Extensive experience leading multi-state payroll operations.
• Strong knowledge of: FLSA, Federal/state wage and hour laws, Payroll taxation, ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, Leave administration
• Experience supporting internal and external audits.
• Experience partnering with Finance on SOX controls.
• Demonstrated ability leading cross-functional initiatives.
• Demonstrated success improving operational processes, workflows, and controls.
• Strong analytical and operational problem-solving skills.

Preferred

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)
• CEBS certification
• SHRM-SCP or SPHR
• Experience with Workday Payroll and Workday Benefits or comparable enterprise HR/payroll platforms.
• Experience supporting self-funded health plans.
• Experience supporting organizations with employees across 40+ states.
• Experience supporting international payroll or global expansion.
• Experience leading compliance, governance, or operational risk initiatives.
• Experience with HR data governance, security, or privacy programs.

Compensation: The Base Salary range for this position is between $150,000 - $175,000. This information reflects a base salary range that AssetMark reasonably expects to pay for the position based on a number of factors which may include job-related knowledge, skills, education, experience, and actual work location. This position will also be eligible for additional variable incentive compensation and competitive benefits.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the US to be considered. We are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

#LI-hybrid 

#LI-JM1

Who We Are & What We Offer:

We are AssetMark, a company on the move, shaping the future of financial services. Growth is in our DNA. Every day, we combine technology, insight, and collaboration to create new possibilities for advisors, for our people and for our investors. At AssetMark your ideas matter; they’re heard, valued, and drive meaningful change. Join a team that sets new standards and creates space for you to thrive and do your best work. 

Our Mission

Our mission is simple: to help our 10,500+ financial advisors make a meaningful difference in their clients’ lives. We do this by combining powerful technology, holistic support, and expert consulting to help advisors run stronger, more efficient businesses. Backed by a comprehensive suite of investment solutions and a trust company that boasts of $150B+ AUM, our platform empowers advisors to deliver exceptional service and an outstanding client experience.

Our Values

Heart. Client Success. Integrity. Respect. Excellence. Our values are how we show up every day.  

We believe in:

• Leading with Heart, in truly making a difference in the lives of others: teammates, clients, investors and communities. 

• Obsessing over Client Success, bringing a relentless focus on what matters to clients that sets us apart and creates loyal, lasting relationships. 

• Unyielding Integrity, doing what’s right, always. Even when it’s hard. 

• Collective Respect, in being authentic, inclusive and valuing all voices while winning together. 

• Operating with Excellence, in learning fast, continuously improving, innovating and collaborating to find new and better solutions.  

These values shape our culture, guide our decisions, and define what it means to be part of the AssetMark family. 

Our Culture & Benefits

Our culture brings our mission and values to life. Here, we do what’s right, embrace diverse ideas, and innovate together. We also offer a wide range of benefits to support you and your family—because thriving at work starts with thriving in life. 

• Flex Time or Paid Time Off and Sick Time Off 

• 401K – 6% Employer Match 

• Medical, Dental, Vision – HDHP or PPO 

• HSA – Employer contribution (HDHP only) 

• Volunteer Time Off 

• Career Development / Recognition 

• Fitness Reimbursement 

• Hybrid Work Schedule 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, AssetMark is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued.