Director Payroll

Unclassified - Coachella, CA

Full-time - Manager

Coachella, CA

About the position

The Director of Payroll at the Twenty Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians is a pivotal role responsible for overseeing all aspects of payroll operations within the organization. This position requires a strong commitment to providing outstanding customer service to both guests and employees, ensuring that the mission statement and service standards are consistently met. The Director will lead by example, embodying the Five Star Experience that the organization strives to deliver. This includes coaching and supporting team members to equip them with the necessary skills and resources to excel in their roles. In addition to managing daily payroll operations, the Director will be tasked with the design, implementation, and administration of payroll policies and procedures. This includes ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal tax regulations, as well as maintaining accurate payroll records and internal controls. The role also involves auditing payroll procedures, managing tax reporting, and ensuring timely submissions of all relevant deductions and reports. The Director will collaborate with various departments, including Finance, Legal, and Human Resources, to facilitate internal and external audits and ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. A key aspect of this role is to maintain confidentiality and security of payroll and employee information, while also monitoring key performance metrics to drive departmental goals. The Director will also be responsible for preparing budgetary data, forecasting costs, and ensuring that payroll accounts are balanced accurately. This position requires strong leadership skills, as the Director will manage a team within the Payroll Department, providing direction, training, and performance evaluations. The ability to make fair and honest decisions, along with strong communication skills, is essential for success in this role.

Responsibilities

• Provide outstanding customer service to guests and all other employees by exceeding our mission statement.
• Lead by example and carry out our Five Star Experience to Guests and all Team Members by fulfilling our Mission Statement, Service Promise and following department service standards.
• Coach and support Team Members to ensure they have the skills, tools and resources to successfully complete their jobs.
• Execute, coordinate, and oversee daily payroll operations.
• Manage the design, implementation, administration, governance, and ongoing operations of the company's payroll and certified payroll reporting.
• Develop and implement approved departmental payroll policies and procedures.
• Improve current processes/procedures for accuracy and efficiency to align with company's strategies and objectives.
• Ensure timely and accurate submission of local, state, and federal tax reporting and deductions.
• Maintain compliance with state and federal hour/wage regulations.
• Ensure all systems and internal controls adequately support the full-cycle payroll processes, employment taxes, applicable labor laws, reporting, and prevailing wage.
• Audit and improve payroll procedures including earnings, garnishments, tax withholdings, etc.
• Assist with insurance policy renewals, claims, certificates of insurance, budget planning and risk minimization programs.
• Monitor and report on key performance metrics, accuracy, and department targets/goals.
• Maintain confidential records including payroll and employee information in a secure location.
• Function as primary contact for internal, state, federal, HR, and Payroll audits.
• Prepare entries to accounts such as general ledger accounts, documenting payroll accounting activity.
• Direct compilation and preparation of other payroll data such as hours worked, pension and insurance costs, and 401k plan.
• Work with the Finance department, Legal, Human Resources, and/or external vendors/consultants on completion of internal/external audits.
• Ensure compliance of tax reconciliation, filing returns, and W-2 issuance.
• Maintain excellent communications with all VPs, Directors, and Managers.
• Ensure accurately balancing payroll accounts after resolving discrepancies.
• Prepare necessary data for the budget in area of responsibility; project annual costs and monitor actual results; take corrective action where necessary.
• Keep abreast of competitive changes including industry trends and local competitive set.
• Develop, maintain and nurture a positive work environment.
• Coordinate and supervise training, assignments, and development of subordinates.
• Ensure compliance with all Minimum Internal Control Standards (MICS) as well as all Tribal Internal Control Standards (TICS).
• Present a positive image of the Tribal organization to its guests and vendors and assist them as required.
• Follow all safety policies and procedures and attend all scheduled safety meetings and training as a condition of employment.
• Make difficult decisions in a fair and honest manner.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree preferred in related field (or equivalent experience) in business, finance, or accounting.
• Eight (8) years equivalent Supervisory/Management experience.
• Ten years (10) of payroll operations experience.
• Experience with public works is preferred.
• Oracle HRIS system experience is preferred.
• Construction and/or commercial contracting industry experience is preferred.
• Certification as a CCP, CBP, or SHRM-SCP is preferred.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in the gaming industry is a plus.
• Knowledge of advanced payroll software and systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage.
• Dental insurance coverage.
• Life insurance coverage.
• 401k retirement savings plan with matching contributions.
• Paid holidays and vacation time.
• Flexible scheduling options.
• Professional development opportunities.