The Payroll Operations Director is responsible for leading the day-to-day execution, governance, and continuous improvement of payroll operations. This role oversees key payroll functions and ensures accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing while driving operational excellence, process standardization, and service delivery.
The director will partner closely with Payroll Accounting, Payroll Tax, Benefits, HR, People Technology, Finance, Compliance, and external vendors to optimize payroll processes, improve associate experience, and reduce operational risk. This leader must have the ability to build and sustain a high-performing organization that delivers operational and strategic value while maintaining compliance, scalability, and readiness for future growth and transformation initiatives.
You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges. For all hires in the Minneapolis or Washington, D.C. area, you will be required to work in the office a minimum of four days per week.
Primary Responsibilities
- Provide leadership and oversight of payroll operational functions, ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing for all supported populations
- Drive operational excellence through process standardization, automation, governance, and continuous improvement initiatives
- Lead, develop, and coach Payroll Operations leaders and team members through training, performance management, succession planning, and recognition
- Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), service levels, quality metrics, and compliance measures
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, local, and international payroll regulations, company policies, and internal controls
- Partner with Payroll Tax, Payroll Accounting, Benefits, Leave Administration, Time & Labor, HR Operations, and People Technology teams to resolve complex payroll issues
- Diagnose complex payroll processing challenges, identify root causes, and implement sustainable corrective actions
- Oversee payroll operational readiness for organizational changes, system updates, acquisitions, divestitures, and business transformation initiatives
- Lead testing, validation, and deployment activities related to payroll system enhancements, upgrades, and integrations
- Ensure payroll processes are appropriately documented, maintained, and continuously updated
- Drive resolution of escalated associate payroll inquiries and sensitive payroll matters, ensuring a positive associate experience
- Develop and maintain solid partnerships with business leaders, HR partners, Finance, Compliance, Internal Audit, and external vendors
- Provide strategic recommendations regarding payroll operations, process efficiency, risk mitigation, and service delivery improvements
- Support year-end payroll activities, audits, compliance reviews, and regulatory reporting requirements
- Ensure operational readiness and business continuity plans are maintained and tested.
- Serve as a payroll operations subject matter expert and trusted advisor for enterprise-wide initiatives impacting payroll
- Lead special projects and strategic initiatives as assigned
Required Qualifications
- 7+ years of progressive experience in payroll operations, payroll processing, or payroll administration
- 5+ years of leadership experience managing payroll teams
- Proven deep understanding of payroll operations, payroll compliance, internal controls, and payroll-related business processes
- Experience managing complex payroll operations within a large, multi-state and/or global organization
- Proven ability to lead operational change, process improvement, and transformation initiatives
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple tasks with hard deadlines simultaneously
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Project documentation and project management discipline
- Experience working in a global environment
- Solid analytical, problem-solving skills
- Knowledge of internal systematic controls within HCM
- Solid understanding of how to integrate systems and build efficient payroll processes
- Intermediate level of proficiency with MS Word, Excel
- All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group's Telecommuter Policy.
Application Deadline: This will be posted for a minimum of 2 business days or until a sufficient candidate pool has been collected. Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.
At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and help make the health system work better for everyone. Together, we are shaping the future of healthcare by harnessing technology and innovation to make care simpler to navigate, more affordable and more connected for the people we serve. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcomed, valued, heard and respected, empowering people to bring their authentic selves to work and strengthening our collective impact through diverse talents, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.
UnitedHealth Group and its affiliated brands are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.
UnitedHealth Group and its affiliated brands are a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.