Director of Payroll and Benefits

Park Ridge, NJ 07656

Posted: 05/20/2025 Employment Type: Direct Hire Industry: Other Area(s) Job Number: 625 Pay Rate: 204,000

Job Description

Job Summary
 
The Director of Payroll and Benefits is responsible for the overall strategy and vision of the company benefits and wellness programs. This role is responsible for guiding the benefits and retirement plans (i.e. 401k), compliance, audits, monitoring administrative costs and recommending cost-efficient alternatives for a workforce of approximately 2,000 global employees. In this role the Director of Payroll and Benefits will develop long-term strategies for benefits and wellness programs inclusive of plan offerings and design ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations. This role will provide strategic oversight to payroll processing and benefits and wellness related programs such as but not limited to medical, dental, prescription, disability and life plans. The Director of Payroll and Benefits is responsible for ensuring the organization remains competitive in the marketplace.
 
 Soft Skills
  • Leadership: Supervises 1-3 direct reports with the ability to develop personal growth opportunities, while managing multiple projects for organizational growth. The ability to inspire and motivate others towards a shared vision or goal.
  • Emotional intelligence (Self-awareness): The ability to recognize and manage one’s own emotions, as well as recognizing the emotions of others.
  • Adaptability The ability to be flexible and adaptable in response to changing situations and demands.
  • Conflict resolution: The ability to manage and resolve conflicts constructively and respectfully.
  • Coaching Skills: The skill for growing and developing others. Knowing how to ask the right questions, active listening, and empowering others, as well as building rapport with colleagues.
  • Trust Building: Building a team environment where the employees feel safe. Leaders need to be authentic, honest, transparent, and compassionate.
  • Problem Solving: The ability to identify and analyze problems and produce effective solutions.
  • Creativity (critical thinking): The ability to be forward-thinking and strategic and present innovative solutions.
  • Time management: The ability to prioritize tasks and manage one’s time effectively.
  • Teamwork: The ability to work collaboratively with others towards a common goal, recognizing different perspectives and strengths.
  • Empathy: Genuinely caring for others and being able to understand another person’s situation and perspective.
  • Cultural competence (The ability to work across cultures): The ability to understand and appreciate diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and ways of thinking.

Reporting Structure:
 
The Director of Payroll and Benefits will report to the Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis as part of the Finance organization. There are direct reports reporting into this role.
  
Responsibilities
 
 
Key Responsibilities
 
  • Ideate, design and develop benefits programs and processes to senior leadership, leveraging competitive data, industry trends, and cost analysis. Provide strategic recommendations for enhancements or improvements that align with organizational initiatives and respond to evolving environments, regulations, technology, tools, or business needs
  • Continuously monitor and analyze benefits and wellness programs and industry trends using competitive data, industry trends and cost analysis to inform strategic decision-making. Propose recommendations to senior leadership in support of organizational goals, changes to relevant laws and regulations, technology, tools, or business needs.
  • Develop a comprehensive understanding of competitive benefits and wellness trends and the integration and synergies between various departments (e.g., HRIS, payroll, accounting) to optimize organizational efficiency and drive impactful benefits initiatives
  • Develop and lead the design, administration, and delivery of benefits programs including health insurance, retirement plans (i.e. 401k), and other employee programs (i.e. total rewards)
  • to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations and maximize employee satisfaction. Employ critical thinking and innovative approaches to enhance program effectiveness and drive
  • Proficient in analyzing benefits data to identify trends and leverage insights for strategic decision-making. Capable of presenting a compelling case to senior management to drive informed recommendations.
  • Leads the development and execution of comprehensive benefit program communication campaigns, strategically directing the preparation and distribution of communication materials, including electronic communications, and orchestrating management and employee meetings to ensure alignment with organizational goals
  • Responsible for critically evaluating, selecting, and directing benefits consultants, brokers, actuaries, and necessary legal counsel. Demonstrates intellectual curiosity by continuously seeking innovative solutions and exploring new approaches to optimize benefits strategies and enhance organizational effectiveness.
  • Strategically oversee vendor contracts, continuously analyze and optimize vendors to ensure alignment with organizational goals. Recommend vendor rationalization where appropriate.
  • Manage the RFP process for new contracts and renewals in collaboration with Procurement and Legal groups, driving efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
  • Responsible for developing the annual payroll and benefits operating budget. Regularly monitor to identify variances and underlying causes. Utilize metrics and KPIs to drive process optimization and cost savings, ensuring efficient and effective budget management.
  • Periodically perform a comprehensive and thorough analysis of benefits and wellness programs to industry standards and best practices to identify areas for improvement
  • Serve as the Lead on the Benefits Committee, responsible for setting the agenda, direction, and acting as the steward of the committee. As the subject matter expert, provide internal consulting and education to employees, HR Business Partners, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment with organizational goals and effective benefits management
  • Responsible for leading the Benefits and Payroll teams; grow and engage employees aligned to our strategic pillars; create an inclusive environment for all; mentor team to build capability for future needs. Hold the team accountable to high standards and strive to create a best-in-class organization.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.
 
Qualifications
Required Skills
  • 10+ years of progressive experience in payroll and benefits design and administration, consistently advancing into leadership roles
  • Bachelor’s degree in business administration: Finance, HR, or related field; advanced degree or certification is a plus
  • Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) a plus
  • In-depth knowledge of payroll systems: Dayforce preferred and HRIS platforms.
  •  Exceptional leadership skills, consistently exhibiting executive presence and the ability to inspire and guide teams towards achieving organizational goals.
  • Proven track record of effectively managing and mentoring diverse teams, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment that drives innovation and excellence.
  • Adept at strategic decision-making and navigating complex challenges, ensuring alignment with the company's vision and objectives.
  • Possesses exceptional verbal and written communication skills, enabling effective interaction with employees at all levels, management, external benefits professionals (including insurance contacts, vendors, actuaries, etc.), legal counsel, and regulatory agencies.
  • Demonstrates the ability to navigate complex discussions and foster collaborative relationships to achieve organizational objective
  • Demonstrates agility in navigating change and making swift, informed decisions to adapt to evolving circumstances and drive organizational success
  • Proven ability to analyze and interpret employee information and data demonstrating a keen understanding of the underlying narratives within the data while effectively communicating insights that drive strategic decision-making and foster a deeper connection to the organization's goals and objectives
  • Demonstrates exceptional critical thinking skills, effectively managing time, organizing tasks, multi-tasking, and prioritizing meeting deadlines with precision and efficiency
•     Must be flexible and a strong team player, demonstrating the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues at all levels of the organization
  • Ability to communicate openly and honestly with colleagues and customers. Takes personal responsibility for the quality and content of the work, and complies with confidentiality requirements where applicable
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Meet Your Recruiter

Jason Destro

Over 20 years’ of recruiting experience with hands-on recruiting and placement of I.T. professionals (Full Time, Temp 2 Perm, & Contingent) in the NJ/NY/CT/PA marketplace for a wide variety of today's demanding IT skill sets. Focused on delivering exceptional service by understanding client’s objectives and goals.
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About Park Ridge, NJ

Ready to take the next step in your career? Explore job opportunities in the vibrant area surrounding Park Ridge, New Jersey! Nestled in the breathtaking beauty of Bergen County, this region offers a perfect blend of small-town charm and big-city amenities. With easy access to New York City, a thriving arts scene including the Montclair Art Museum, and delicious cuisine ranging from classic diners to trendy eateries, Park Ridge and its surroundings provide a picturesque backdrop for professional growth and personal fulfillment. Consider a career in this dynamic area filled with opportunities for both work and play. Start your job search now and discover why Park Ridge, NJ is the ideal place to advance your career!