Finance Executive - Payroll Services & Operations

Finance Executive - Payroll Operations

Internal Title: Executive Administrator of Payroll Operations

Orion Associates / Meridian Services / Zenith Services
Location: Golden Valley, MN
Schedule: Full‑time, Monday–Friday (flexible hours); hybrid option available after 90 days
Reports to: Chief Financial Officer
Supervises: Payroll Directors and Payroll Leadership Teams

Compensation: $105,000 - $110,000 + Health insurance, retirement plan participation, and paid time off

This role is a member of the Executive Leadership Team.

About the Organization

Orion Associates is a management services organization supporting mission‑driven human services entities, including Meridian Services, Orion ISO, and Zenith Services.

For more than 20 years, our organizations have delivered high‑quality services while maintaining strong operational and financial integrity across multiple entities and states. Orion Associates has been recognized as a Minnesota Business Top 100 Best Companies to Work For.

Position Overview

The Head of Payroll provides strategic leadership and operational oversight of payroll functions across multiple entities and jurisdictions. This role ensures accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing and payroll tax administration in a complex, multi‑state environment.

Internally titled Executive Administrator of Payroll Operations, this position focuses on strengthening payroll operations through leadership, standardization, and accountability rather than hands‑on payroll processing.

The Head of Payroll leads through payroll directors and tax leadership, emphasizing operational consistency, process improvement, and performance management across payroll teams.

Payroll Environment

The Head of Payroll oversees a large‑scale, multi‑state payroll operation that includes:

• Payroll operations across six states: MN, UT, LA, SC, TN, and OH
• Approximately 15,000 W‑2s issued annually
• 49 payroll staff across multiple payroll teams
• Five direct reports, including:
• Four Directors of Payroll Operations
• One Director of Payroll Tax

Payroll teams include payroll specialists, coordinators, leads, supervisors, and directors responsible for day‑to‑day payroll operations.

Payroll services support both:

• Traditional employer payroll
• Self‑directed services payroll models

Key systems and tools include:

• Dayforce HRIS (traditional payroll)
• DCI and Cashé EVV systems (self‑directed services payroll)
• Microsoft Dynamics GP (Great Plains) for financial integration
• M‑Files for document management

This leadership structure allows the Head of Payroll to focus on strategic oversight, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Operations Leadership

• Provide leadership and oversight of payroll operations across multiple entities and states
• Support payroll directors in managing teams, workloads, and operational priorities
• Establish and maintain clear operational standards, controls, and expectations

Payroll Tax & Compliance

• Oversee payroll tax compliance across federal, state, and local jurisdictions
• Ensure accurate and timely payroll tax filings, amendments, and reporting
• Oversee year‑end reporting, including W‑2, W‑3, 941, 940, and state equivalents
• Support payroll‑related audits and regulatory inquiries

Operational Performance & Process Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve payroll efficiency, automation, and scalability
• Promote consistency in payroll processes, reporting, and operational standards
• Partner with Finance and HR leadership on payroll system and process enhancements

Cross‑Functional Leadership

• Collaborate with organizational leadership on initiatives impacting payroll
• Manage relationships with payroll vendors, tax agencies, auditors, and regulators
• Provide operational insight and guidance during executive leadership discussions

Qualifications

Required

• 7+ years of progressive payroll or payroll operations experience
• 5+ years of experience supervising payroll leadership (directors, managers, or supervisors)
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field
• Strong knowledge of payroll tax compliance and multi‑state payroll operations
• Demonstrated success managing complex payroll environments
• Excellent organizational, communication, and problem‑solving skills

Preferred

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), CPA, or similar professional certification
• Experience overseeing payroll operations across multiple entities
• Experience in healthcare, human services, or other highly regulated industries