Finance Division Leader, Payroll Operations

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States’ security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.

We are dedicated to fostering a culture that values individuals, talents, partnerships, ideas, experiences, and different perspectives, recognizing their importance to the continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range

$198,360 - $248,256 Annually

This is the lowest to highest salary range in good faith we would pay for this role at the time of this posting.  An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

This position may offer a hybrid schedule, which includes the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week, after a probationary period. The specifics of the hybrid schedule, including the exact number of days required in the office and virtual work options may vary based on the needs of the team and the organization.

We have an opening for Division Leader for our Payroll Operations team.  In this role, you will be responsible for the payroll operations of a $3B organization and 8,000 employees. You will have significant impact in the development and management of business and financial strategies for the Finance Department as well as the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO).  As a key member of the Finance Department leadership team, you will provide leadership, oversight, and direction, for the major financial functions within the Finance Department. You will also develop, implement, and be responsible for new policies and procedures, financial systems, and workforce strategies. This position reports to the Deputy Chief Financial Officer (CFO)/Controller. The Payroll Operations team is comprised of approximately 16 professionals.

LLNL is an integrated contractor to the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), a semi-autonomous agency within the Department of Energy (DOE). As the Division Leader, you will be responsible for building and maintaining effective partnerships at the Federal level, including with other entities within the DOE/NNSA complex.

You will

• Provide leadership, direction, and oversight to the Payroll Operations and Payroll Tax accountants to assure services are appropriately aligned to meet customer needs and comply with the provisions of Contract 44, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), applicable California State and Federal regulations, policies and procedures and tax law. 
• Coordinate and integrate long-range strategic plans, objectives and activities associated with the payroll function, performance measure reporting and business process reporting. Provide guidance, advice and consultation on related matters.
• Direct self-assessment programs and internal controls in the Payroll Operations, Timekeeping, and Tax Accounting functions.  Independently analyze, reconcile and interpret complex payroll and tax accounting data and balance sheet accounts. 
• Identify and lead special long-term projects requiring the development of unique solutions to problems of unusual complexity, recommending and implementing courses of action for payroll, timekeeping, and tax accounting functions.
• Develop, recommend, and lead implementation of solutions to highly complex problems related to payroll operations, timekeeping, and accounting. Identify, define and implement institutional business rules and financial practices. Set standards for the time reporting and payment functions.
• Execute key leadership role in the implementation of new time keeping and payroll ERP system underway, working collaboratively with HR and IT in the development of financial system requirements and controls. Define deliverables of complex, interdependent systems, and reporting (both financial and non-financial) in synergy with long-term goals.
• Oversee, develop, direct and implement group personnel functions, programs, procedures, and workforce plans including staff development, succession planning and performance management.
• Perform general oversight and personal commitment to the goals of Integrated Safety Management, Integrated Safeguards and Security Management, compliance with all ES&H regulations, good business practices, and equal opportunity.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge of and experience in payroll operations, timekeeping, and accounting, PeopleSoft and/or Oracle Payroll or similar Payroll and financial reporting products, processes, procedures, and systems.
• Experience in leadership with demonstrated ability to motivate and inspire professional staff and collaborate with peers to achieve organizational objectives.
• Demonstrated expert communication and interpersonal skills necessary to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a broad-cross section of executive management and administrative personnel, internal and external to the Laboratory.
• Demonstrated expert verbal and written communication skills necessary to prepare and deliver highly complex financial briefings and provide expert financial advice to senior Laboratory personnel and external organizations and agencies, including DOE/NNSA HQ.
    
  Desired Qualifications
• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance or related field.
• Experience in successfully negotiating and influencing various levels of personnel at LLNL, DOE/NNSA, and parent companies.
• Comprehensive demonstrated knowledge of the missions and management relationships among LLNL, LLNS and DOE/NNSA organizations.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2025 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.  If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing.  Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession.  This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.  

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas.  Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

How to identify fake job advertisements

Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under “Find Your Job” of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.

To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory.  If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request. 

California Privacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.