What makes this resume great
This resume is a strong example for a Director of Payroll because it demonstrates a clear career progression in payroll management, culminating in a director-level role at a major company. The candidate has advanced degrees relevant to the field, including an MBA and a BS in Accounting. The skills section is comprehensive and tailored to payroll leadership, covering compliance, systems, and team management. The experience spans over a decade, showing both depth and breadth in payroll operations. The inclusion of specific HRIS and payroll systems, like ADP Workforce Now, highlights technical expertise.
Resume summary examples for Director of Payroll
Example #1
Strong Summary
Accomplished Director of Payroll with over 13 years of progressive experience leading payroll operations for multi-state organizations. Expert in payroll compliance, process optimization, and team leadership, with a proven track record of implementing scalable payroll solutions and driving operational excellence.
Weak Summary
I have worked in payroll for many years and have managed teams. I am familiar with payroll systems and compliance.
Example #2
Strong Summary
Strategic payroll leader with an MBA and a strong background in accounting, specializing in payroll management, process improvement, and HRIS implementation for large organizations.
Weak Summary
I have an MBA and have worked in payroll. I know about payroll management and some systems.
Example #3
Strong Summary
Results-driven payroll executive skilled in overseeing end-to-end payroll functions, ensuring compliance, and leading cross-functional teams to achieve organizational goals.
Weak Summary
I have experience in payroll and have worked with different teams to get things done.
Resume achievement examples for Director of Payroll
Example #1
Strong Achievement
Led a team of 12 payroll professionals to process payroll for 10,000+ employees across 15 states, achieving 99.9% accuracy and reducing payroll processing time by 30%.
Weak Achievement
Managed a payroll team and processed payroll for many employees.
Example #2
Strong Achievement
Implemented ADP Workforce Now, resulting in a 25% reduction in payroll errors and saving the company $150,000 annually in administrative costs.
Weak Achievement
Helped implement a new payroll system that improved efficiency.
Example #3
Strong Achievement
Developed and enforced payroll compliance protocols that passed all internal and external audits with zero findings over five consecutive years.
Weak Achievement
Ensured payroll compliance and passed audits.
Essential skills for a Director of Payroll
- Payroll Management
- Payroll Compliance
- Process Improvement
- Team Leadership
- HRIS Systems
- ADP Workforce Now
- Multi-State Payroll
- Project Management
- Data Analysis
- Vendor Management
Resume best practices
Tailor Your Resume for a Director of Payroll
Customize your resume for the specific position you're applying for. Use keywords from the job description and highlight the most relevant experience.
Keep It Concise and Focused
Ideally, your resume should be one page (two if you have extensive experience). Focus on achievements and essential information and avoid fluff.
Use a Clean, Professional Format
Stick to a simple layout with consistent font, spacing, and section headings. Use bullet points for readability. Avoid overly decorative fonts or colors.
Start with a Strong Summary
Write a compelling summary or objective at the top that briefly outlines your background, key skills, and what you bring to being a Director of Payroll.
Emphasize Achievements Over Duties
Use bullet points to describe what you accomplished as a Director of Payroll, not just what you were responsible for. Include measurable results when possible (e.g., "Increased sales by 25% in six months").
Use Action Verbs
Start bullet points with strong action verbs like "Led," "Developed," "Improved," "Streamlined," to convey impact and ownership.
Highlight Skills and Tools
Create a dedicated skills section that includes technical tools, software, or soft skills relevant to being a Director of Payroll (e.g., Excel, Python, CRM systems, leadership, communication).
Include Education and Certifications
List your educational background and any relevant certifications or ongoing courses. Mention GPA if it’s strong (generally above 3.5) and you're early in your career.
Proofread Carefully
Avoid spelling or grammatical errors since they can be deal-breakers. Ask someone else to review your resume or use tools like Grammarly.