Susan D. Hester
Stockbridge,GA
Summary
Strategic HR and Payroll Operations leader recognized for enhancing service delivery models and implementing HRTech solutions. Successfully merged teams to reduce errors by 25% and elevated compliance levels to 100%. Leverages cross-functional collaboration to deliver scalable, data-driven outcomes that support organizational growth.
Overview
1
1
Certification
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Group Director
Payroll Operations & Workforce Services
Atlanta, GA
01.2022 - Current
- Led payroll specialists, tax account security analysts, and reporting analysts to ensure accurate and timely payroll processing.
- Streamlined reporting processes by integrating teams and leading initiatives that improved data accuracy and accessibility.
- Facilitated collaboration with HR, operations, finance, and WPP corporate to align processes and enhance communication.
- Merged payroll and tax account teams to enhance processes, reducing errors by 25%.
Enterprise Applications
Human Resources Technology Support
Atlanta, GA
01.2017 - 01.2022
- Spearheaded strategic transformation for HR technology initiatives, including Workday, Cornerstone, and ServiceNow.
- Led workstream for company-wide absence management implementation, overseeing configuration, testing scenarios, and demo recordings.
- Developed testing strategies with BT for Kronos mapping, ensuring system compatibility.
- Streamlined payroll acceptance process, cutting approval time by 2 hours for CER through elimination of redundancies.
- Directed team of HR analysts and security, achieving service agreement increase from 68% to 100% in 12 months.
- Reviewed training materials with division leads and coordinated project execution alongside Accenture.
Share Services Leader, Payroll and Benefits
Cox Automotive
Atlanta, GA
01.2015 - 01.2017
- Directed team of 14 managing payroll data and incentive leads for off-cycle calculations, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
- Led team supporting medical, dental, vision, 401k, FSA, and life event changes for payroll and organizational adjustments.
- Supervised manual debits processing in Kronos and time/labor systems, enhancing accuracy of payroll transactions.
- Oversaw staff handling absence requests, time corrections, and historical edits to maintain data integrity and facilitate departmental communication.
Education
Master of Arts - Organizational Management
Ashford University
San Diego, CA01-2018
Bachelor of Business Administration - Managerial Science
Georgia State University
Atlanta12-2014
Skills
- Payroll governance
- HR technology strategy
- Workforce analytics
- Data-driven decisions
- Operational efficiency
- Process optimization
- Organizational effectiveness
- HR operations leadership
- Shared services
- Workforce administration
- Project leadership
- Change management
- Interdepartmental coordination
- Stakeholder management
- Team leadership
- Team development
Certification
Workday Pro Certification | 2026
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- McKinsey Black Leadership Academy, 2021
- Cox Mentorship Program, 20212022
Timeline
Group Director
Payroll Operations & Workforce Services
01.2022 - Current
Enterprise Applications
Human Resources Technology Support
01.2017 - 01.2022
Share Services Leader, Payroll and Benefits
Cox Automotive
01.2015 - 01.2017
Master of Arts - Organizational Management
Ashford University
Bachelor of Business Administration - Managerial Science
Georgia State University