Head of Payroll

Position Summary

Focus Financial Partners is seeking a Head of Payroll who will be responsible for the strategic oversight and execution of enterprise-wide payroll operations, compliance, and transformation initiatives. The Head of Payroll will own payroll processing and is accountable for ensuring high service levels, accuracy, and timeliness in close collaboration with HR. This role combines operational excellence with strategic vision to scale payroll infrastructure that supports organizational growth.

This role will be based in St. Louis, MO

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership over all payroll operations across domestic and international regions (if applicable), ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.
• Serve as the key liaison between Payroll, Finance, HR, and Legal teams to align payroll strategies with enterprise-wide policies and initiatives.
• Oversee the selection, implementation, and optimization of payroll systems, ensuring scalability and integration with HRIS, benefits, and time-tracking platforms.
• Manage vendor relationships, including third-party payroll providers, technology partners, and compliance consultants; lead RFPs and system transitions as needed.
• Establish and monitor internal controls and KPIs related to payroll processing, compliance, and service delivery.
• Stay current with evolving payroll tax laws, labor regulations, and statutory reporting requirements; ensure organizational compliance across jurisdictions.
• Lead payroll-related audits (SOX, internal, external) and remediation efforts, maintaining thorough documentation and risk mitigation protocols.
• Develop and mentor payroll leadership and staff, fostering a high-performance culture and succession pipeline.
• Support M&A due diligence, onboarding, and system integrations from a payroll perspective.
• Oversee budget forecasting, accruals, and financial analysis related to compensation and payroll-related expenses.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field (MBA or advanced degree preferred).
• 15+ years of progressive experience in payroll leadership, with demonstrated success in managing complex, multi-entity payroll operations.
• Deep understanding of U.S. federal, state, and local payroll regulations; international payroll knowledge is a plus.
• Proven experience in payroll system administration (e.g., Workday, ADP, SAP SuccessFactors, Ceridian).
• Strong vendor management and contract negotiation skills.
• Experience managing audits, including SOX or internal compliance frameworks.
• Exceptional leadership, stakeholder management, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation strongly preferred.

The annualized base pay range for this role is expected to be between $180,000-$220,000.  Actual base pay could vary based on factors including but not limited to experience, subject matter expertise, geographic location where work will be performed, and the applicant's skill set.  The base pay is just one component of the total compensation package for employees.  Other rewards may include an annual cash bonus and a comprehensive benefits package. 

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Focus is a leading partnership of fiduciary wealth management and related financial services firms. Focus provides access to best practices, greater resources, and continuity planning for its affiliated advisory firms, which serve individuals, families, employers, and institutions with comprehensive financial services. Focus firms and their clients benefit from the solutions, synergies, scale, economics, and best practices offered by Focus to achieve their business objectives. For more information about Focus, please visit www.focusfinancialpartners.com.

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For Indiana Applicants: It is unlawful for an employer to discriminate against a prospective employee on the basis of status as a veteran by refusing to employ an applicant on the basis that they are a veteran of the armed forces of the United States, a member of the Indiana National Guard or a member of a reserve component.

For Maryland Applicants: I UNDERSTAND THAT UNDER MARYLAND LAW, AN EMPLOYER MAY NOT REQUIRE OR DEMAND, AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT, PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYMENT OR CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT, THAT ANY INDIVIDUAL SUBMIT TO OR TAKE A POLYGRAP OR SIMILAR TEST.  AN EMPLOYER WHO VIOLATES THIS LAW IS GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND SUBJECT TO A FINE NOT EXCEEDING $100. 

For Massachusetts Applicants: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment.  An employer who violates this shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. 

For Montana Applicants: If hired, the employment relationship is governed by the Wrongful Discharge from Employment Act. Mont. Code Ann. Section 39-2-901.

For Rhode Island Applicants: Focus is subject to Chapters 29-38 of Title 28 of the General Laws of Rhode Island and is therefore covered by the state’s workers’ compensation law. If you willfully provide false information about your ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, you may be barred from filing a claim under the provisions of the Workers’ Compensation Act of the State of Rhode Island if the false information is directly related to the personal injury that is the basis for the new claim for compensation.  The Company complies fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act.