Director, Payroll
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 29, 2026. First seen by Alion on Sep 18, 2026. Studs scores B on the Alion truth index.
Studs is a category-defining ear piercing and earring brand named one of “the 10 most innovative companies in retail for 2023” by Fast Company. Studs connects ear piercing with aftercare and earring shopping to create an end-to-end Earscaping® experience. We offer a better retail and digital experience that prioritizes safety and expertise in a cool, fun and welcoming environment, along with a wide earring assortment-all at an accessible price point.
The Director, Payroll will lead day-to-day payroll administration for our rapidly-growing, multi-state retail organization. This role owns end-to-end payroll operations across the company’s hourly and salaried employee populations and will serve as a subject-matter expert on multi-state and multi-jurisdiction payroll tax and compliance. The Director, Payroll ensures every employee is paid accurately and on time, keeps Studs compliant with federal, state, and local wage and tax law as the company expands into new markets, and partners closely with the People, Finance, and Legal teams to keep payroll processes reliable, auditable, and scalable.
Salary Range: $175,000 - $200,000
Location: HQ (New York, NY) - Hybrid
Key Responsibilities:
- Own end-to-end processing of Studs' bi-weekly pay cycle, including timecard validation, adjustments, deductions, garnishments, and off cycle payments. Oversee multi-state and multi-jurisdiction payroll tax compliance, including tax registrations, withholding, reciprocity rules, and reporting.
- Manage relationship with and support from the company’s payroll provider.
- Serve as the primary payroll point of contact for tax notices, agency correspondence, and filings, resolving issues proactively. Respond to payroll inquiries from employees with a high standard of service and discretion. Maintain and continuously improve payroll controls, reconciliations, and audit trails to ensure accuracy and data integrity as Studs scales into new jurisdictions.
- Prepare and review payroll reporting for Finance, including general ledger reconciliation, accruals, and support for year-end processes (W-2s, tax filings).
Requirements:
- 8+ years of payroll experience with progressive ownership of multi-state or multi-jurisdiction processing.
- Extensive hands-on experience with ADP required (ADP Workforce Now and Workforce Manager experience preferred).
- Strong track record of supporting a high-growth, multi-location hourly workforce with variable schedules.
- Exceptional accuracy and attention to detail.
- Able to work onsite at Studs’ New York City headquarters three days per week.
Benefits & Perks
- Flexible Work Environment (3 days in office, 2 days work from home)
- Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance (including a plan option with $0 in-network mental health visits)
- Access to Mental Health and Work/Life Resources including Online Therapy, Gender Affirmation Support Services, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Voluntary Life Insurance
- Health and Commuter Tax-Advantaged Accounts
- Stock Options in connection with the Company’s Equity Incentive Plan
- 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
- Paid Time Off, Paid Safe & Sick Leave, and Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Sabbatical After 4 Years of Service
- Exclusive Employee Discounts on Piercings and Jewelry (we’ve got your friends and family covered too!)
- Access to PerkSpot and additional benefits such as pet insurance, discounted tickets, personal finance coaching, healthy rewards, and more!
Studs is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a work environment that fosters diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity without regard to race, color, gender, age, creed, sex, religion, national origin, disability (physical or mental), marital status, citizenship, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, or any other legally protected status. Studs considers qualified applicants with criminal histories. We comply with applicable state and local laws prohibiting discrimination in employment in every jurisdiction in which we operate. If you require an accommodation for the application process, please fill out this form.
Massachusetts Applicants: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Click here for the Studs Privacy Notice for California Applicants.