National Payroll Director

Department: Accounting/Finance

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Chicago, IL

Description

The National Payroll Director is responsible for leading and managing payroll operations across the organization. This role ensures accurate and timely payroll processing across multiple jurisdictions while maintaining compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. The Director oversees key systems such as ADP and CMiC, manages the payroll department and drives continuous improvement in payroll processes to align with organizational goals.
Reporting Relationship
This position reports directly to the Chief Human Resources Officer and collaborates with Human Resources, as well as the National Accounting and Administration departments.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all payroll functions and employee types (hourly, salaried, union, and non-union).
• Ensure timely and accurate processing of weekly, and special payrolls, including bonuses, and out-of-cycle payments.
• Establish and enforce standardized payroll policies, procedures, and controls across the organization.
• Maintain compliance with all federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations.
• Oversee accurate deduction and funding of benefits, garnishments, union dues, retirement plans (401k &ESOP), and other withholdings.
• Lead the implementation, optimization, and integration of payroll systems – ADP, CMiC, and Riskcast
• Oversee the preparation of payroll reports for audits, executive leadership, and regulatory filings.
• Direct internal and external audits, including union, 401k, ESOP, etc.
• Manage the relationship with external payroll vendors and service providers.
• Analyze payroll data for trends, cost management, and continuous improvement opportunities.
• Develop, mentor, train, and supervise payroll staff within the department.
• Monitor legislative changes and implement payroll process adjustments as needed.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Essential Skills
Technical
• Proficiency with ADP, CMiC, and Riskcast.
• Knowledge of jurisdiction specific regulations and union payroll requirements.
• Deep understanding of federal, state, and local payroll laws.
• Ability to maintain clean, auditable data and produce detailed custom payroll and compliance reports.
• Proficiency in managing benefit deductions, tax jurisdictions, and year-end tax reporting.
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve technical issues.
Business and Management
• Ability to build, lead, and develop a high-performing centralized payroll team.
• Skilled in managing payroll strategies (system implementations, audits, process improvements).
• Experience standardizing and enforcing payroll procedures and controls.
• Leads internal/external payroll, union, 401k, and ESOP audits.
• Strong organizational and time-management abilities.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple deadlines.
• Basic understanding of business operations and workflows.
Interpersonal
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate with diverse teams.
• Professional demeanor and customer service orientation.
Personal
• Maintains strict confidentiality around employee compensation and sensitive data.
• Detail-oriented and self-motivated.
• High degree of integrity and accountability.
• Willingness to learn and adapt in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

100% ESOP
Competitive Pay
Bonus Program
Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
PTO/Sick
100% Life Insurance
401(K) with Match
Student Debt Program

Physical Demands: 
Performance of the required duties will require physical ability to climb permanent and temporary stairs, passenger use of construction personnel hoists, ability to climb ladders and negotiate work areas under construction. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Performing this job requires use of hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls, sit, talk and hear, stand, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment: 
While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works on-site at the construction work site where the employee is exposed to moving mechanical parts, high precarious places, fumes or airborne particles, outside weather conditions and risk of electrical shock. The noise in these work environments