Director, Payroll
Bay Area, CA
Finance – Accounting /
Full-time /
Hybrid
Zūm has reimagined student transportation, the nation's largest mass transit system. Our integrated end-to-end cloud-based platform provides a modern service for school districts purpose-built around the needs of kids and the expectations of their families. Zūm provides one seamless, real-time interface for parents, drivers, schools, districts, administrators, and operators, to transport children safely and with increased visibility and personalized care. Our multi-sized vehicle approach includes an electric vehicle-first commitment, reduces student commute times by up to 20%, and coupled with our marketplace, delivers added fleet efficiency and optimization. We have been driving the industry forward since 2015, and with more than 8 million miles completed to date, we are leading a new era of safe, reliable, efficient, and sustainable transportation.
Reporting to the VP, Corporate Controller, and working in collaboration with the Managers of Human Resources, Site General Managers, and the Company’s Compliance team, this position manages a Payroll Department of 20+ through planning, developing, interpreting, and implementing all activities of the Payroll Department through subordinate staff in a highly demanding and fast-paced environment.
The position is committed toward continuous improvement in accuracy, efficiency and service levels to ensure readiness for growth and the ability to provide superior service. In addition, this position develops and executes a vision for future processes and systems including project implementation plans and monitoring & reporting of process improvement initiatives. Other key areas of responsibility include, but are not limited to, leadership in addressing financial controls with both internal and external stakeholders; being an expert in compliance with federal and state laws as they impact compensation and tax reporting, and knowledge of the terms of the various Collective Bargaining Agreements under which some of the Company’s employees may be compensated.
The position also provides professional development opportunities for the payroll team and documentation, implementation, and improvement of the Company’s policies and procedures; takes ownership of software systems that support payroll processing and reporting; organize, assign, direct, review and evaluate the work of assigned staff. The role must stay abreast of the latest developments in the legal and Union landscape, and serves as the subject matter expert on all payroll issues. In partnership with Human Resources, the position also guides management toward resolution of compensation issues to ensure compliance with the law yet address practicality of proposed solutions and is very hands-on with the Company’s payroll objectives and processing.
Responsibilities
- Oversee the in-house multi-location compensation processing. The payroll will comprise 2,000+ employees in multiple states, 9+ unions, and an internally-developed timekeeping system
- Collaborate with finance and operational leaders, IT and HR partners to identify and prioritize areas for improvement, validate business cases for change, and ensure sound decision-making and coordinated communications
- Proactively drive change management activities to ensure wide adoption and acceptance of changes, including engaging key leaders and facilitating impact assessments, training, and other communications
- Implement, maintain, and review weekly and off-cycle multi-location, multi-state payrolls to ensure timely and accurate processing of payroll transactions including wages, benefits, garnishments, taxes, union benefits, and other deductions.
- Manage compliance with federal, state and local tax law, and quarterly and annual payroll reporting, etc., Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting, etc.
- Interpret, educate and apply a variety of laws and regulations governing payroll administration. Provide written and oral explanations to employees, management, union officials and employees as necessary
- Identify ways to optimize the payroll function, collaborate closely with cross-functional teams and other stakeholders, to facilitate the smooth operation of the payroll system
- Develop, implement, and maintain internal control policies, procedures, and compliance with respect to the payroll process, including, but not limited to, pay policies, payroll calendars, payroll checklists, process documentation and other items as necessary
- Ensure standardized payroll policies and procedures are documented, maintained and followed, and service level agreements (e.g., response and resolution times for issues) are met or exceeded by the team
- Communicate and enforce organization-wide payroll policies and processes regarding earnings, deductions, timekeeping, and government and union compliance reporting.
- Serve as subject matter expert in strategic planning concerning new or projected areas of technology or operational direction
- Provide support to external auditors in the performance of their work by answering questions involving the Company’s policies and procedures, and producing schedules/documentation that will assist the auditors in the timely completion of their work
- Develop and maintain effective, productive, cooperative working relationships with employees, supervisory personnel, management, and others
- Educate & train the payroll team continuously
- Perform other duties as assigned
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Public Administration, Accounting, or in a related field
- A minimum of ten (10) years of in-house payroll processing and reporting requirements for federal, state and other authorities, including Unions, in organizations of 3,000+ employees
- A minimum three (3) years of recent related supervisory and/or managerial level work overseeing a team of 20+
- Payroll systems knowledge
- Experience with timekeeping implementation in a unionized environment
- Knowledge of federal, state and local laws; voluntary pre-and post-tax deductions; involuntary deductions; employee taxes, tax reporting, record retention and payroll accounting and audits
- Effective verbal and written communication skills, problem solving and decision making skills
- Attention to detail, organized and thorough, with a desire for continuous improvement
- Work independently and effectively under pressure to meet deadlines
- Understand, interpret, and apply complex rules, regulations, and legal provisions governing compensation and benefits
- Ability to lead complex projects which require influence and implementation across business groups and functions
The targeted base salary range for this role is listed in the compensation section below. Actual salary may be above or below this range based on factors such as location, skills, and relevant experience. In addition, this position may include additional compensation in the form of bonus, equity, or commissions. If you are a full-time salaried or hourly worker, we offer the following benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), Holidays, Wellness, Vacation, and more. The targeted pay range for this role in US CA is: $180-200k
Zum Services, Inc. and all its subsidiaries provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
