Director, Payroll

Work Locations: With the exception of some select roles that have in-office requirements, A+E Networks operates on a flexible model that allows for remote, hybrid or full time in office work (in certain locales).

Office locations include New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Stamford, CT.

Our list of eligible states in which employees may work remotely includes: California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Division StoryMost people don’t realize the importance of the Finance department in keeping our business operating without hitches and delays. That’s probably because we oversee many of the more quietly glamorous, back-office functions that drive our bottom line. We not only forecast, build and manage budgets, we also collect and analyze important data that helps leadership make the best decisions. All of this sounds exciting to you because you love numbers and spreadsheets, and especially love great entertainment.

Job Description

THE ROLE: Director, Payroll

The Director, Payroll will lead the end-to-end payroll operations for the US and UK employees, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processes each cycle. This role involves strategic leadership, process optimization, and collaboration with key stakeholders across HR, Accounting, Tax, Legal and other departments to deliver seamless payroll services. The ideal candidate will demonstrate deep expertise in payroll systems, tax compliance, while driving innovation and efficiency within the payroll function. This position manages a staff of two.

MORE ABOUT WHAT YOU’LL DO:

•    Oversee biweekly payroll operations for the US employees and monthly payroll for the UK employees, ensuring accuracy and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations in each region. 
•    Manage payroll systems, including ADP EV6 for the US and a third-party provider for the UK, to ensure seamless processing and reporting. Monitor and maintain payroll-related integrations with financial systems (SAP) and HRIS platform (Workday).
•    Ensure adherence to federal, state, and international tax regulations, including obtaining necessary tax IDs and completing filings for remote workers. Oversee the preparation and submission of all payroll-related tax filings, W-2s, and other statutory documents.
•    Lead responses on Payroll related audits, including NYS Withholding and Department of Labor, California, Workers’ Compensation, and Employee Benefits qualified Plans, ensuring full compliance and accurate reporting.
•    Provide guidance, coaching, and development opportunities to a team of two payroll professionals. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, excellence, and continuous improvement within the payroll team.
•    Oversee the processing of all freelance invoices; ensure billing accuracy. Partner with the Accounting team for related reporting needs.
•    Identify and implement process improvements to enhance payroll efficiency, accuracy, and employee satisfaction. Stay informed about industry trends and best practices, applying them to innovate and optimize payroll operations.
•    Partner on initiatives such as transitioning to new 401(k) recordkeepers and other cross-functional projects.
 

YOUR STORY:

•    Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
•    Minimum of 10 years’ experience in payroll management, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
•    Proficiency in payroll systems such as ADP EV6 and Workday, with strong working knowledge of Excel.
•    Knowledge of multi-state payroll filings
•    Ability to maintain confidential records with a high degree of accuracy.
•    Exceptional organizational skills with attention to detail.
•    Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across teams.
•    Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
•    Knowledge of SAP financial system.
•    Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or equivalent is a plus.
 

WHAT WE OFFER:

•    A dynamic and supportive work environment that encourages professional growth and innovation.
•    Opportunities to lead high-impact projects and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
•    A chance to shape the payroll function in a forward-thinking organization committed to excellence.
 

CompensationAnnual Pay Range: $150,427 - $176,000Annual Incentive Target: 17.50%

The annual/hourly pay range displayed serves as a good faith estimate of the

minimum and maximum base pay range for this role. Compensation for the role will

be based on a number of different factors such as a candidate’s qualifications, skills,

competencies, location, and experience. A+E offers a competitive total compensation

package, which includes healthcare coverage, 401k matching, and a range of other benefits. Learn more at aenetworks.com/careers.

A+E Networks proudly provides equal employment opportunity for all employees and job applicants, and makes employment decisions consistent with this principle.  The company’s employment actions and decisions – including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, demotion, compensation, transfer, layoff, and termination – are made without regard to an employee’s race, color, religion, creed, age, national origin, ancestry, sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, alienage or citizenship status, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, family and medical leave status, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
A+E Television Networks is a joint venture of the Hearst Corporation and The Walt Disney Company.
We are proud to be an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans.