Director of Payroll

SOLV Energy is a leading provider of infrastructure services to the power industry, designing, building and maintaining utility scale solar, battery storage and high voltage substation projects nationwide.

Job Description Summary:
The Director of Payroll is responsible for the strategic leadership, execution, and continuous improvement of payroll operations across a multi-state, high-growth EPC and related services organization.

This role ensures accurate, compliant, and timely payroll processing for both salaried and hourly field employees, while building scalable systems, strong controls, and a high-performing payroll team.

The Director of Payroll serves as a key partner to People & Culture, Finance, Legal, and Field Operations, supporting complex labor structures, prevailing wage requirements, union and non-union environments, and project-based workforces.

This role is located full-time in either the San Diego, CA or Edison, NJ office.

Specific location details and expectations will be discussed during the interview process.

Job Description:



*This job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned

Position Responsibilities and Duties:


* Lead and evolve payroll strategy to support rapid growth, geographic expansion, and project-based labor models.


* Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing payroll team with a focus on accuracy, accountability, and service.


* Establish payroll policies, procedures, controls, and documentation aligned with best practices.


* Oversee end-to-end payroll processing for salaried and hourly employees across multiple states.


* Ensure accurate processing of wages, overtime, per diem, bonuses, commissions, retro pay, and off-cycle payments.


* Manage payroll calendars, cutoffs, approvals, and audit readiness.

Partner with HRIS, IT (Time & Attendance), Labor Compliance, and Finance to ensure clean upstream and downstream data.


* Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local wage and hour laws.


* Oversee payroll compliance related to: Prevailing wage and certified payroll reporting.

Union and non-union labor requirements.

Multi-state taxation and local jurisdiction rules.


* Manage payroll audits, internal controls, and SOX-aligned processes.


* Stay current on regulatory changes impacting payroll and labor compliance.


* Own payroll systems and vendor relationships (e.g., ADP, Workday, CMiC, or similar).


* Lead payroll system implementations, upgrades, and M&A integrations.


* Drive automation, standardization, and process efficiencies across payroll operations, including acquisitions.


* Partner with IT and HRIS teams on data governance and system optimization.


* Collaborate closely with: Field Operations and Project Controls on labor forecasting and reporting.

Finance on reconciliations, accruals, and payroll costing.

People & Culture on employee exper...