Dir, Payroll, Retirement & Equity Ops

Overview

The Director, Payroll, Retirement & Equity Operations is responsible for end-to-end payroll operations and the administration of the Company’s retirement and equity programs. This role ensures accurate, timely, and compliant processing and reporting, maintains strong internal controls, and partners cross-functionally with Finance, HR, Legal, Tax, and external vendors. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in payroll and equity administration, retirement plan operations, systems optimization, and scalable process design in a growing organization.

• Payroll Operations
  :
  Oversee accurate, compliant, and timely payroll processing for all employee populations, including multi-state requirements.
• Maintain and improve payroll processes, calendars, and documentation to ensure consistent execution and a positive employee experience.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and (as applicable) international payroll laws and tax regulations, including statutory reporting and year-end filings (e.g., W-2, 1099).
• Serve as primary liaison to payroll vendors and service providers; manage SLAs, issue resolution, and continuous improvement.
• Lead payroll-related initiatives, including system implementations, integrations, upgrades, and regulatory or policy-driven changes, in partnership with HR, Finance, and IT.
• Own payroll reconciliations and controls; partner with Accounting on journal entries, accruals, and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Act as the escalation point for complex payroll inquiries and corrections; drive root-cause analysis and preventive actions.
• Support internal and external audits by providing documentation, data extracts, and control evidence; remediate findings as needed.

• Equity Administration
  :
  Lead the stock administration function for company equity programs (e.g., RSUs, stock options, performance awards).
• Ensure data integrity and accurate recordkeeping in the equity administration platform (e.g., BofA), including participant eligibility, award details, vesting, and transactions.
• Partner with Legal, Finance, HR, and external providers to administer equity plans in accordance with plan documents and applicable regulations.
• Coordinate equity-related payroll taxation and reporting (e.g., withholding at vest) and partner with Accounting on stock-based compensation expense and disclosures under ASC 718.
• Prepare and/or support preparation of equity reporting for leadership, the Board of Directors, and the Compensation Committee, including materials needed for quarterly close and year-end reporting (10-Q/10-K and proxy disclosures, as applicable).
• Maintain and enhance internal controls, procedures, and documentation related to equity administration; support audits and quarterly reviews.
• Evaluate vendors and service providers; recommend enhancements, automation, and process improvements to scale operations.
• Manage direct report(s) and third-party consultants as applicable; set goals, provide coaching, and ensure high-quality execution.

• Retirement Plan Administration (401k):
  Oversee day-to-day administration of the Company’s 401(k) plan in partnership with recordkeeper, trustee, and plan advisors.
• Manage participant lifecycle activities: enrollments, eligibility, deferral changes, status changes, and terminations.
• Review and approve plan transactions as required (e.g., loans, distributions, rollovers, hardship withdrawals) to ensure adherence to plan rules and regulations.
• Coordinate annual compliance requirements, including nondiscrimination testing (e.g., ADP/ACP), Safe Harbor and other required notices, and plan document updates/amendments.
• Prepare annual census and data files; ensure accurate payroll-to-recordkeeper integrations and timely funding of contributions.
• Support Form 5500 preparation and related filings; coordinate annual audits for large plans (as applicable) and respond to auditor requests.
• Maintain accurate plan records and documentation (e.g., Summary Plan Description and participant communications) and ensure timely distribution of required notices and statements.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee questions; provide clear guidance and coordinate…