Director of Human Resources - Payroll and Compliance

Apply Job Type Full-time Description Director of Human Resources – Payroll & Compliance FLEXTRADES is a rapidly growing national provider of production solutions recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts as a 2026 Best Place to Work. We are seeking a highly motivated Director of Human Resources - Payroll & Compliance. The Director is is responsible for designing and scaling a technology-enabled HR operations and compliance infrastructure that supports a fast-growing, multi-state staffing organization. This role owns enterprise-wide payroll accuracy, benefits compliance, and regulatory risk mitigation across all 50 states, ensuring the organization remains compliant in a rapidly evolving legal landscape. The Director partners closely with Executive Leadership and General Counsel to translate regulatory requirements into automated, scalable systems and SOPs, and leads a multi-functional HR team to deliver consistent, compliant employee experiences at scale. Success in this role requires deep expertise in multi-state payroll compliance, HR technology (ATS/HRIS), and process automation. Duties & Responsibilities: Strategy & Leadership Own and evolve the HR compliance operating model, including payroll, benefits administration, and regulatory compliance programs Develop and execute a long-term strategy for scalable, technology-driven HR operations in a high-growth environment Lead and develop a multi-layered HR operations team, including individual contributors and people leaders across pre-employment, HR administration, and HR management functions Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on compliance risk, workforce strategy, and employee relations matters Drive cross-functional alignment with Finance, Legal, Operations, Sales, Recruiting, Safety, and IT on HR and compliance initiatives Own and manage strategic relationships with external vendors supporting payroll, benefits administration, and compliance programs HR Technology & Automation Design and implement trigger-based, audit-ready workflows that reduce manual intervention and ensure compliance at scale Leverage AI, automation, and system integrations to build proactive compliance controls and monitoring mechanisms Partner with IT and business leaders to ensure data integrity, system scalability, and process efficiency Continuously evaluate and implement new technologies to improve accuracy, efficiency, and compliance outcomes Pre-employment & Onboarding Set the organizational strategy for a system-driven, scalable, and compliant pre-employment processes for a fully remote workforce Lead team of Pre-employment Specialists to build and continuously improve a technology-enabled onboarding experience that ensures compliance, efficiency, and a strong employee experience Payroll Operations & Compliance Set the organizational strategy for multi-state payroll operations and compliance Lead HR Generalist in designing, implementing, and continuously optimizing scalable payroll processes supporting a workforce across all 50 states Establish and maintain audit-ready documentation and controls for compensation programs, including bonus plans Own compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations (e.g., wage and hour laws, overtime, paid breaks) Leverage HR systems to drive efficiencies in time tracking, attendance, and payroll processing Benefits Administration Partner with HR Director – Employee Engagement and Legal Counsel to ensure competitive, compliant benefits offerings for internal & Technician populations, including participating in annual benefits evaluation & renewal process Ensure compliance with all applicable benefits regulations, including mandated leave programs, retirement plans, and contribution limits Oversee COBRA administration and ensure adherence to all related regulatory requirements Oversee HR Team in leading and administering annual benefits open enrollment for internal & Technician populations Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management Own proactive monitoring, interpretation, and implementation of federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations Partner with General Counsel to assess regulatory impact and translate legal requirements into operational controls and system-based workflows Represent HR in cross-functional Compliance Committee, driving scalable solutions to meet evolving requirements Design and maintain a centralized SOP and compliance documentation system Ensure audit readiness through consistent documentation, reporting, and internal controls Own compliance programs related to AAP, EEO, FLSA, ADA, and other employment regulations HR Investigations & Employee Relations Establish and oversee investigation protocols and SOPs for workplace concerns, including discrimination, harassment, accommodations, and policy violations Train HR team members on investigation best practices, documentation standards, and risk mitigation Ensure consistent and defensible documentation of investigation outcomes Partner with Legal Counsel as needed on complex or high-risk matters All other duties as assigned. Success Measures: Payroll accuracy, timeliness, and audit readiness across all jurisdictions Minimal compliance violations, penalties, or audit findings Increased percentage of HR compliance processes that are automated and system-driven Scalable onboarding and pre-employment processes with high compliance completion rates Strong internal controls, documentation standards, and regulatory audit outcomes Requirements Travel model staffing experience is required for this role Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Psychology, or related field 8–10+ years of progressive HR experience, with significant focus on payroll operations, compliance, and HR systems 5+ years of people leadership experience, including managing managers and/or multi-functional teams Demonstrated success designing and scaling HR processes in a multi-state, high-growth environment (staffing or distributed workforce strongly preferred) Deep expertise in multi-state employment laws and payroll compliance Proven track record of leveraging HR technology, automation, and systems to drive scalability and compliance Experience with HRIS (UKG), ATS (Bullhorn), or similar platforms a MUST Preferred Skills & Experience: Strong strategic thinking and business acumen Experience leading organizational change in fast-paced or high-growth environments Expertise in building technology-driven compliance frameworks and SOP ecosystems Data-driven decision-making and analytical mindset Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills Proven ability to build, develop, and scale high-performing teams Benefits: Best in Class: Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability and Life Insurance coverage offered Work remotely in the United States Paid holidays, Vacation, & Birthday PTO Company sponsored personal wellness plan Home office equipment provided Equal Opportunity Employer: FlexTrades is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, including individuals with disabilities and veter ans.