As the Director of North American Payroll, you will lead and mentor the global payroll delivery team to ensure that hourly and salaried payroll is processed smoothly and accurately across the organization in Canada and the United States. You will be a key partner for our stakeholders and payroll-managed service providers, using the latest technologies, such as Dayforce, to improve and streamline our processes. You will ensure that payroll is done correctly, efficiently, and on time and that we comply with each country's relevant payroll and regulatory requirements. This is an on-site position located in Houston, Texas.

Essential Responsibilities

• Payroll Precision & Timeliness: Partner with HR and payroll vendors for timely and accurate Canada and US payroll processing ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing for salaried, hourly, and contract employees. Influence and drive change across various business units, providing expert guidance and ensuring alignment.

• Payroll Leadership. Provide leadership and hands-on support to the payroll team, fostering a culture of operational excellence. Proactively manage payroll discrepancies, perform regular reconciliations, and mentor the payroll team.

• Tax Compliance & Regulatory Adherence: Oversee payroll tax compliance and filings, keeping abreast of country, provincial, federal, state, and local regulations. Implement robust controls to prevent errors and fraud.

• System Implementation & Upgrades: Lead the implementation of new payroll systems or upgrades, managing all aspects from project planning to execution and post-implementation support.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with HR, Finance, and IT teams to identify and leverage opportunities for process optimization and automation. This includes working closely with the Group Controller, Division Controllers, Operations, and HR in 1) understanding issues when the Company begins work in new geographical areas; 2) work closely with HR on tax issues related to per diems, relocation expenses, recruitment, and other traveling and relocation benefits; 3) changes to existing law.

Performance Metrics & Reporting: Develop and maintain metrics to measure payroll operations' effectiveness and efficiency. Regularly report performance to senior leadership and proactively address risks, issues, and improvement opportunities.

• Vendor Relationship Management: Manage relationships with vendor partners, ensuring compliance, service quality, and alignment with contractual agreements.

• Payroll Projects. Drive payroll-related projects and improvements, ensuring the team has the necessary tools and competencies. Oversee global payroll changes, implement new payrolls, and ensure alignment with regulations and company policies.

• Certified Payroll Processing. Ensure the timely and accurate reporting of certified payrolls for prevailing wage projects.

• Payroll System. Engage with IT in the development of reports and the resolution of issues with Oracle. Participate in any implementation, development and migration of ERP when required.

• Merger & Acquisition Support. In the event there is Merger and Acquisition activity, assist in the review and due diligence process as it relates to benefit, compensation and health and welfare issues of both the craft and office staff.

• Team Development & Leadership: Lead and mentor the payroll team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Provide performance coaching and feedback.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of global payroll processing and management experience, experience in global expansion and setup, M&A integration, and vendor management.

Technical and working knowledge of global payroll accounting rules and standards.

• Experience in leading payroll systems, business process outsourcing, and stakeholder management (Dayforce experience preferred).

• Strong change management skills with an ability to manage internal stakeholders to ensure payroll operations are compliant while meeting business objectives.

• Advanced working knowledge of global payroll operations, including regulations, taxes, and equity reporting.

• High degree of understanding of time keeping and attendance processes and payroll operations.

• Thrives in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, and excels in highly complex situations with flexibility, creativity, efficiency, and prioritization.

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation preferred.

Demonstrated Personal Skills Required

• Critical thinker and strong analytical skills.

• Strategic thinker with the ability to understand the day to day as well as being able to look into the future.

• Dynamic leader who can lead a large group as well as develop our future leaders in the payroll department.

• Understanding of collective bargaining agreements, preferably with a multi union entity.

• Understanding of qualified retirement plans including union, 401(k) and ESOP.

• Prior experience in global mobility.

• Proficient in using a computer and Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.); Oracle preferred.

• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks, changing priorities as necessary.

• Ability to work under time pressure and adapt to changing requirements with a positive attitude.

• Effective oral and written communication skills.

• Ability to be self-motivated, proactive and an effective team player.

• Ability to interact effectively and professionally with all levels of employees, both management and staff alike, vendors, clients, and others.

Working Conditions

• General work environment - sitting for long periods, standing, walking, typing, carrying, pushing, bending. Work is conducted primarily indoors with varying environmental conditions such as fluorescent lighting and air conditioning.

• Occasional business travel required (5-10%).

Physical Requirements

• Maintaining body equilibrium and agility to prevent falling when walking, standing, crouching, ascending or descending stairs.

• Bending the body at the waist, the legs at the knees, and extending arms and hands in any direction in a repetitive manner.

• Standing, walking, and speaking for long periods of time.

• Using upper extremities to apply or exert a force up to 20 lbs.

• Typing, punching or applying pressure to an object with fingers and palm.

• Perceiving size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with the fingertips.

More Information

This job description outlines the essential functions of the job and does not contain a comprehensive list of all possible responsibilities, tasks, and duties.

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In our 70+ year history, Powell has always known that our employees are at the heart of our success. Without question, we have the most talented people in all parts of our organization. As a manufacturer, we recruit and hire experienced and knowledgeable applicants to ensure our product is engineered, fabricated and assembled to customer specifications!

Powered by Innovation - Powell’s culture has and will always be founded in our "can do" attitude. If we can imagine it, we can do it. Become a part of our story, and let us help you write yours. Hard work pays off in all of our teams, with opportunity for advancement and promotion without sacrificing work-life balance. Successful candidates must have a legal authorization to work in the United States on a full-time basis, with only those candidates selected for interview contacted.

We are an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer/Vet/Disability

If you need an accommodation in the hiring process, you may contact 713.378.2685. Application status inquiries will not be accepted in this manner.