Corporate Director of Payroll

Davidson Hospitality Group is a dynamic and innovative hospitality management company that is constantly seeking top talent to join its team. With its headquarters located in the heart of the hospitality industry in Atlanta, Georgia, Davidson Hospitality Group is a leader in hotel and resort management, providing comprehensive and results-driven services to a diverse portfolio of properties across the United States. As a job applicant, you can expect to work in a collaborative and supportive environment that encourages creativity, growth, and professional development. With a strong commitment to excellence in guest service, employee engagement, and financial performance, Davidson Hospitality Group offers a rewarding and fulfilling career path for individuals who are passionate about the hospitality industry. Whether you are seeking a corporate role in operations, sales and marketing, revenue management, finance, human resources, or other areas, Davidson Hospitality Group offers a wide range of career opportunities for motivated and talented individuals. Join the team at Davidson Hospitality Group and be a part of a dynamic and growing organization that is dedicated to delivering exceptional hospitality experiences.

Are you a hands-on payroll leader who thrives in a fast-paced, complex environment? Do you know Workday Payroll inside and out and enjoy rolling up your sleeves while leading a high-performing team?

We’re looking for a Corporate Director of Payroll & Payroll Compliance to lead and execute payroll operations across a large, multi-state organization supporting 13,000+ team members. This is a highly visible leadership role that blends strategic oversight with day-to-day execution—perfect for someone who wants to make a real impact while staying close to the work.

In this role, you’ll serve as the Workday Payroll SME, drive compliance across jurisdictions, partner cross-functionally with HR, Finance, and Operations, and lead a talented payroll team—all while ensuring payroll runs accurately, efficiently, and on time.

This is not a purely strategic role—we’re looking for a leader who is in the details, solving problems, and driving results.

Must be based in (or willing to relocate to) the Atlanta area and work onsite in Dunwoody, GA on a hybrid schedule (4 days per week).

Responsibilities

Payroll Leadership & Execution

• Lead and personally oversee end-to-end payroll processing for weekly and bi-weekly payrolls across all entities
• Ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payroll execution for a multi-state workforce of 10,000+ employees
• Review, approve, and reconcile payroll prior to transmission to third-party providers (e.g., ADP, OSV)
• Support payroll readiness for new property openings, transitions, and acquisitions
• Manage complex payroll activities including bonuses, garnishments, and adjustments

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of payroll professionals, including Managers and Specialists
• Drive a culture of accountability, accuracy, customer service, and continuous improvement
• Establish clear expectations and ensure team productivity and performance

Workday & Systems Expertise (Critical)

• Serve as the primary SME for Workday Payroll, including configuration, processing, troubleshooting, and optimization
• Partner with HRIS and external consultants to identify system issues and lead testing through resolution
• Lead payroll system implementations, enhancements, and integrations (timekeeping, benefits, GL)
• Drive system adoption, reporting capabilities, and operational efficiency

Compliance & Payroll Tax

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll laws, wage and hour regulations, and garnishments
• Oversee payroll tax administration, including filings, audits, and setup in new jurisdictions
• Monitor regulatory changes and proactively update processes and controls
• Lead year-end payroll activities including W-2 and W-2c processing
• Conduct regular payroll audits to ensure accuracy and mitigate risk

Process Improvement & Cross-Functional Partnership

• Continuously evaluate and improve payroll processes, workflows, and controls
• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex payroll issues
• Partner with HR, Finance, and Operations leadership to solve problems and enhance processes
• Manage relationships with third-party providers to ensure service quality and issue resolution
• Provide training and guidance to field HR and operational leaders

Why This Role?

• High-impact, highly visible leadership role
• Opportunity to lead payroll for a large, complex, multi-state organization
• Work with a collaborative leadership team across HR, Finance, and Operations
• Ability to shape and optimize payroll systems and processes
• Hybrid flexibility with meaningful in-office collaboration

Ready to Make an Impact?

If you’re a Workday payroll expert leader who enjoys leading from the front, solving complex challenges, and driving operational excellence—we want to hear from you.

Apply today and help us elevate payroll operations to the next level.

• Workday Payroll experience is required (configuration, processing, and troubleshooting)
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, HR, or related field preferred
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification required
• 10+ years of progressive payroll experience, including leadership in a multi-state environment (10,000+ employees preferred)
• Proven experience leading and developing high-performing payroll teams
• Strong hands-on experience with large-scale payroll systems and implementations (Workday strongly preferred)
• Deep knowledge of multi-state payroll processing, payroll tax regulations, and compliance requirements
• Experience working with third-party payroll providers (ADP, OSV, etc.)
• Hospitality or multi-unit experience strongly preferred
• Advanced Excel and payroll reporting capabilities
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence across all levels

Davidson Hospitality Group is an award-winning, full-service hospitality management company overseeing hotels, restaurants, dining and entertainment venues across the US.   A trusted partner and preferred operator for Hilton, Hyatt, Kimpton, Marriott, and Margaritaville, Davidson offers a unique entrepreneurial management style and owners’ mentality that provides the individualized personal service of a small company, enhanced by the breadth and depth of skill and experience of a larger company. In keeping with the company’s heritage of delivering value, Davidson is comprised of four highly specialized operating verticals: Davidson Hotels, Pivot, Davidson Resorts and Davidson Restaurant Group.

In keeping with the company’s heritage of delivering value to its owners and team members, Davidson offers a rich benefit program with a variety of benefits designed to enrich the lives and well-being of our team members and their families.

• Multiple Tiers of Medical Coverage
• Dental & Vision Coverage
• 24/7 Teledoc service
• Free Maintenance Medications
• Pet Insurance
• Hotel Discounts
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Time Off (vacation, sick, bereavement, and Holidays). 
• 401K Match

Working at Davidson is like nowhere else. It’s less of a job, more of a calling. It’s part career, part revolution. Because whatever you do here, you play a part in helping redefine the way quality hospitality is delivered to our guests, our clients, our partners, and each other.

EOE AA- Minorities/Females/Vet/Disability/Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation

Davidson Hospitality is a drug free workplace.  Pre-employment drug test and background check required.  We participate in E-Verify.

#LI-JC1