Payroll Compliance Lead

Payroll Compliance Lead

Perform the duties of Payroll Compliance Lead for DPR Construction and the Family of Companies. This includes ensuring adherence to federal, state, and local wage regulations, maintaining strong internal controls, and driving payroll system & process enhancements. This role serves as the compliance and controls lead, working closely with, and in support of, People Practices, Labor Relations, Legal, Technology, and Finance teams.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Monitor and research emerging payroll, tax, and labor regulations.
• Interpret and apply wage and hour laws (FLSA, CA Labor Code, Davis-Bacon, prevailing wage and union agreements). Proactively work with applicable teams to implement changes to maintain compliance.
• Audit payroll time records to timekeeping dashboards to ensure compliance with DPR Timekeeping Policy and accuracy of reported hours
• Manage all payroll, union, and tax related audits and coordinate responses to internal & external requests.
• Maintain historical timekeeping records in compliance with audit and retention requirements
• Conduct data integrity checks, enforce segregation of duties (SOD), while establishing and maintaining internal controls
• Develop and maintain SOPs, checklists, and training materials for payroll and compliance related processes
• Lead reconciliation and audit processes across systems and functions, ensuring accuracy between systems (Workday, CMiC, payroll to GL) and functional areas (union, garnishments, taxes)
• Ensure that the proprietary nature of payroll information is always protected via the creation of best practices and processes for the team to implement.
• Lead testing and Q&A efforts for major CMiC patch installs and upgrades
• Partner with Technology, People Practices, Legal and Finance on compliance and system initiatives
• Provide support for team and backup for Leads

Skills:

• Strong accounting aptitude and instincts.
• Advanced knowledge of labor, wage/hour law, union requirements, and federal/state payroll regulations.
• Advanced research and analytical skills; able to identify trends, interpret regulatory changes, and provide recommendations.
• Advanced literacy in MS Office applications, with high emphasis on Excel for auditing and reporting.
• Proficient in payroll systems such as Workday and CMiC; familiarity with construction accounting/job costing preferred
• Strong auditing and internal control skills; able to ensure compliance and accuracy across payroll functions.
• Excellent communication skills, able to explain complex payroll and compliance topics clearly.
• Ability to train and mentor staff, fostering payroll knowledge and team development

Education and Certifications:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, Business Administration or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Active Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation

Work Characteristics:

• Adaptable and flexible, able to evolve with changing business and regulatory needs.
• Demonstrates strong customer service skills, ensuring a positive employee experience.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail, accuracy, and compliance.
• Able to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment while maintaining timeliness and quality.
• Proactive in identifying issues and recommending improvements.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, adaptable for different audiences.
• Collaborative team player, and supportive of cross-functional partnerships.
• Committed to continuous improvement, compliance readiness, and business continuity efforts.

Leadership Expectations:

• Ability to lead initiatives to plan, organize, and implement projects/process changes.
• Make informed decisions on the team's behalf when needed.
• Anticipate gaps in workflow and process changes, create contingency plans and/or provide recommendations based on team impact.
• Actively contribute to and lead content in payroll team meetings, Regional Payroll meetings, and Team Lead touch bases
• Participate/support in year-end preparation and processes
• Coach employees and contribute insight to career development

DPR Construction is a forward-thinking, self-performing general contractor specializing in technically complex and sustainable projects for the advanced technology, life sciences, healthcare, higher education and commercial markets. Founded in 1990, DPR is a great story of entrepreneurial success as a private, employee-owned company that has grown into a multi-billion-dollar family of companies with offices around the world.

Working at DPR, you'll have the chance to try new things, explore unique paths and shape your future. Here, we build opportunity togetherby harnessing our talents, enabling curiosity and pursuing our collective ambition to make the best ideas happen. We are proud to be recognized as a great place to work by our talented teammates and leading news organizations like U.S. News and World Report, Forbes, Fast Company and Newsweek.