Director of Payroll (In-Person Role)

AMDA College of the Performing Arts, with campuses in New York City and Hollywood, is one of the foremost post-secondary performing arts colleges in the country. AMDA offers various pathways for students to receive unparalleled performing arts education taught by world-class industry professionals, including Professional Conservatory Certificates and undergraduate and graduate degrees.
AMDA is seeking a Director of Payroll to lead payroll operations for its Los Angeles and New York campuses and remote employees nationwide. This Los Angeles-based, fully in-person role directly supervises the Payroll Administrator(s) responsible for Los Angeles payroll and is personally responsible for processing payroll.
The Director of Payroll reports to the Chief Financial Officer and the Senior Vice President of Human Resources. The Director works under the direction of both leaders within their respective areas of responsibility and is accountable for implementing payroll-related directives and approved decisions from both Finance and Human Resources. This role provides payroll expertise while ensuring that payroll operations align with AMDA’s financial controls, employment practices, institutional policies, and legal requirements.
Primary Responsibilities
Payroll Leadership and Administration
Lead payroll operations for AMDA’s Los Angeles and New York campuses and remote employees throughout the United States.
Directly supervise the Payroll Administrator(s), including providing guidance, establishing priorities, monitoring performance, and ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing.
Personally process full-cycle, biweekly payroll for staff, and student employees.
Audit and approve payrolls across all locations before final submission.
Maintain consistent payroll procedures, controls, documentation, and service standards across locations and employee groups.
Serve as a backup when Payroll Administrator(s) are unavailable.
Respond to payroll questions from employees and leadership professionally, accurately, and promptly.
Finance and Human Resources Partnership
Work under the direction of the CFO and SVPHR, maintaining timely communication with both leaders and implementing payroll-related decisions within their respective areas of responsibility.
Serve as AMDA’s payroll subject matter expert and advise Finance and Human Resources regarding payroll laws, tax requirements, systems, processes, and operational risks.
Implement authorized compensation, employment status, benefit deduction, leave, and other employment-related payroll changes accurately and promptly.
Escalate payroll discrepancies, compliance concerns, and operational issues to the CFO and SVPHR, as appropriate.
Maintain clear and timely communication with Finance and Human Resources regarding payroll deadlines, changes, risks, discrepancies, and required actions.
Ensure payroll records accurately reflect information and decisions authorized by Human Resources, including new hires, terminations, compensation changes, employment status changes, benefit deductions, and leaves.
Partner with Human Resources on wage-and-hour compliance, employee communications, benefit deductions, and other employment-related payroll matters.
Partner with Finance on payroll funding, reconciliation, accounting, tax reporting, audits, and internal controls.
Payroll Operations
Process full-cycle, biweekly payroll for faculty, staff, and student employees.
Maintain payroll records in ADP Workforce Now, including new hires, terminations, compensation changes, deductions, and other authorized employee information.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and city payroll, wage-and-hour, tax, and reporting requirements.
Review timekeeping and payroll information for accuracy and resolve discrepancies before payroll submission.
Provide responsive and accurate support regarding payroll matters.