Director of Payroll
MHW Search has exclusively partnered with a well-established real estate owner, developer, and property management firm in Houston that is seeking a Payroll Manager to lead and enhance its payroll operations. This individual will oversee multi-entity, multi-state payroll processing, ensure compliance with payroll tax regulations, manage payroll systems and reporting, and serve as a key partner to Accounting, HR, and Operations teams. The ideal candidate will bring strong payroll leadership experience, a process-improvement mindset, and expertise managing complex payroll environments.
Requirements
- Manage and process biweekly payroll for employees across multiple entities and jurisdictions.
- Ensure payroll accuracy and compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local wage and tax regulations.
- Administer employee deductions, garnishments, benefits, and tax withholdings.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll-related inquiries, audits, and issue resolution.
- Reconcile payroll taxes on a recurring basis and ensure timely filing and payment of payroll tax liabilities.
- Partner with internal stakeholders and external agencies to resolve payroll discrepancies and maintain compliance.
- Prepare and distribute payroll journal entries and related accounting reports.
- Provide payroll reporting and cash requirement data to support accounting and financial operations.
- Collaborate with accounting teams to ensure accurate general ledger coding, funding, and financial reporting.
- Manage and optimize payroll systems, ensuring accurate integration with HRIS and accounting platforms.
- Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, controls, efficiency, and accuracy.
- Maintain payroll documentation, procedures, and internal controls.
- Supervise and mentor payroll team members.
- Partner cross-functionally with Human Resources, Accounting, and Operations teams to support organizational objectives.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation preferred.
- Minimum of 7 years of payroll experience, including experience supporting multi-entity and multi-state payroll operations.
- Strong experience with UKG payroll systems required.
- Experience within real estate, property management, construction, or similar multi-entity environments preferred.
- Strong understanding of payroll tax regulations, compliance requirements, and payroll accounting.
- Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
- High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining confidentiality and compliance.