Director, Payroll & Tax Implementation

A strategic operations leader who balances deep regulatory rigor with a commercial, growth-oriented mindset. You view payroll and tax implementation as a strategic asset that accelerates growth channels and enables GTM success. You bridge the gap between complex tax compliance and commercial scalability, ensuring operational excellence becomes a competitive advantage.

• Serve as the strategic commercial partner to GTM teams, transforming implementation into a competitive advantage that accelerates deal closure and time-to-revenue.
• Architect scalable implementation frameworks that operationalize complex tax and compliance requirements, removing friction for sales and enhancing the client experience from day one.
• Lead complex client migrations and platform transitions, managing risk with high-fidelity operational rigor while proactively advocating for client-centric, commercially viable solutions.
• Define and execute the operational playbook for new growth channels, ensuring that compliance and regulatory standards act as a foundation for, rather than a barrier to, commercial velocity.
• Collaborate with Product and Sales leadership to turn operational complexity into clear, compelling value propositions, fostering client trust through predictable, high-accuracy transitions.

• Establish and enforce payroll operational governance across all implementation activities, in compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, including multi-state tax registrations, wage and hour requirements, FLSA requirements, and accurate payroll tax setup.
• Ensure accurate quarter and year-end processing including federal, state, and local tax reconciliations, W-2/1099 issuance, and audit-ready documentation.
• Design and maintain internal controls, audit procedures, and compliance documentation to minimize payroll errors, tax penalties, and regulatory violations.
• Partner with Compliance, Legal, and Tax to incorporate relevant federal, state, and local tax law changes into implementation processes; provide operational guidance to internal teams and serve as escalation point for complex payroll and tax-related matters.
• Address payroll tax inquiries and issues; collaborate with federal, state, and local tax authorities on tax notices and audit responses.
• Maintain a high level of data integrity for the Customer Success team by auditing clients' payroll data—including tax filings and imported payroll history from a client's previous provider—and ensuring Justworks is set up to file with the appropriate tax agencies.

• Lead operational governance framework development for TPA integrations and support compliance attestations and third-party risk management.
• Establish control matrices, documentation requirements, data validation procedures, and reconciliation controls.
• Partner with Compliance, Legal, and Risk teams on regulatory audits, attestations, and internal controls testing; manage associated operational corrective action plans and remediation.
• Support SOX/SOC 2 compliance initiatives and coordinate audit preparation and documentation.

• Lead and develop a high-performing, efficient payroll and compliance team; provide guidance, mentorship, and development to specialists and tax professionals.
• Attract top talent and build diverse teams capable of scaling; establish career development paths and continuous learning culture.
• Architect scalable processes and leverage technology/automation to handle volume without proportional headcount increases.
• Continuously evaluate and implement best practices; drive operational excellence through process streamlining, efficiency improvements, and innovation.

As the Director of Payroll and Tax Implementation, how you achieve results is as important as the results themselves. Your success is anchored in these core competencies and values: Strategic Mindset, Drives Vision & Purpose, Build Networks, Attracts Top Talent, Cultivates Innovation, Develops Talent, Consultative Approach.

• 10+ years in payroll tax operations within PEO, ASO, or HR outsourcing environments.
• Expertise in multi-state tax compliance and client implementation operating models.
• Deep knowledge of TPA environments, vendor management, and compliance governance.
• Advanced Excel skills for complex data analysis and electronic tax filing proficiency.
• 7+ years of management experience, including 4+ years leading managers and teams of 5+.
• Proven ability to motivate, mentor, and develop diverse payroll and tax professionals.
• Strong client-facing skills with the ability to simplify complex regulatory matters.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, HR, or Business (or equivalent experience).
• CPP, CPA, or relevant payroll/tax certification strongly preferred.

The base wage range for this position based in our Tampa Office is targeted at $155,000.00 to $200,000.00 per year. Actual compensation is based on multiple factors that are unique to each candidate, including and not limited to skill set, level of relevant experience, and specific work location. Salary ranges for positions based in other locations may differ based on the cost of labor in that location. For more information about Justworks’ Total Reward Philosophy, including all of the perks and benefits we are proud to offer our team members, please visit Total Rewards @ Justworks.