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.