Director of HR Systems & Payroll Operations

Rocket Youth is a rapidly growing organization operating youth sports, enrichment, and after-school brands across the United States. As an acquisition-focused company completing 10-15 acquisitions annually, we provide centralized operational support across HR, payroll, finance, marketing, analytics, and more. Learn more: www.rocketyouth.com, Rocket Youth is seeking a Director of Payroll Operations & HRIS to lead enterprise payroll operations and oversee the strategy, optimization, and scalability of our UKG platform across a multi-state, multi-entity environment. This highly visible role partners closely with HR, Finance, IT, and executive leadership to support organizational growth, streamline payroll operations, improve reporting capabilities, and drive system enhancements in a fast-paced, acquisition-driven company.

What You'll Do

• Lead end-to-end payroll operations across multiple entities and states
• Ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing
• Serve as the primary owner and subject matter expert for UKG
• Drive HRIS optimization, automation, workflows, and reporting improvements
• Support onboarding and integration of newly acquired businesses
• Develop SOPs, dashboards, KPI reporting, and training materials
• Partner cross-functionally with HR, Finance, IT, and Operations leadership
• Maintain payroll compliance, data integrity, and audit readiness

Do you have a valid Certified Payroll Professional certification?, Do you have experience in UKG Pro?, * 10+ years of payroll and HRIS experience

• 5+ years of advanced UKG experience
• Multi-state and multi-entity payroll experience
• Strong knowledge of payroll compliance and tax regulations
• Experience in high-growth or acquisition-driven environments

Preferred

• UKG implementation or transformation experience
• CPP certification
• Private equity or multi-brand organization experience

Pulled from the full job description

• 401(k)
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Employee discount
• Vision insurance
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance, * Competitive compensation
• 401(k)
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life and disability coverage
• PTO and employee discounts