We're looking for a Director of Payroll to build and lead a modern, scalable payroll function as the company continues rapid growth. This role will own end-to-end payroll operations, oversee a growing payroll team, and serve as the functional owner of Rippling for payroll, time & attendance, and related integrations. You'll also partner closely with Legal, Finance, and Equity Administration to ensure accurate processing of equity compensation across payroll.
This is a highly visible role that blends operational excellence, systems leadership, and cross-functional partnership.
Compensation is DOE, they are open to Senior Manager OR Director level, 160-210k + Equity
What You'll Do Payroll Leadership & Operations
- Own end-to-end payroll for a growing, multi-state (and potentially global) employee population, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timeliness
- Lead, mentor, and scale the payroll team, including hiring, training, and developing payroll managers and specialists
- Establish and continuously improve payroll processes, controls, and documentation to support rapid headcount growth
- Serve as the escalation point for complex payroll issues, audits, and employee inquiries
HRIS & Systems Ownership (Rippling)
- Act as the Payroll owner for Rippling, including configuration, testing, upgrades, and optimization
- Partner with People Ops, HRIS, and IT on integrations with benefits, time tracking, finance, and equity platforms
- Drive automation, reporting, and process efficiencies to reduce manual work and improve data integrity
- Lead payroll-related system implementations, enhancements, and migrations as the company scales
Equity & Compensation Programs
- Oversee payroll processing for equity-related compensation, including stock options, RSUs, ESPP, bonuses, and other incentive programs
- Partner with Finance, Legal, and external equity administrators to ensure accurate taxation and reporting of equity events
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and international tax requirements related to equity compensation
- Support audits and filings related to equity payroll transactions
Compliance, Controls & Partnerships
- Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations
- Own payroll audits, tax filings, reconciliations, and relationships with external vendors and tax authorities
- Partner closely with Finance on GL reconciliation, accruals, and payroll-related reporting
- Collaborate with People, Legal, and Total Rewards on policy design, pay programs, and employee communications
What We're Looking For
- 10+ years of progressive payroll experience, including leadership in a high-growth or scaling environment
- Proven experience building and managing payroll teams through periods of rapid headcount growth
- Deep hands-on experience with Rippling Payroll and HRIS (required)
- Strong experience supporting equity compensation programs and payroll tax implications
- Expertise in multi-state payroll compliance
- Strong project management, systems-thinking, and process improvement skills
- Ability to operate at both a strategic and hands-on level in a fast-paced environment
Nice to Have
- Experience supporting pre-IPO or public company payroll environments
- Exposure to SOX controls and payroll-related audits
- Experience implementing or scaling HRIS/payroll systems

Long Beach, CA, United States of America
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1/24/2026 12:47:46 AM
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