All answers / S03-D-claude-r1
S03-D | Claude | Observation 1
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Exact question
Our US HR team will handle interviews, but we need a recruiting partner to find candidates for a US-based Payroll Director. Which firms should we consider?
Complete saved answer
There are three types of firm worth considering for a Payroll Director search. My web search was thin on independent rankings or reviews, so treat this as a shortlist to vet rather than a verified “best of” list.
Specialist HR and payroll search firms
• Frazer Jones is a global HR executive search consultancy with a dedicated payroll team. It offers executive search, contingent, interim, and temporary support, and it recruits HR professionals across North America. Its payroll roots are strongest in the UK and Europe, so ask about its US payroll leadership placements. [frazerjones](https://frazerjones.com/?p=1573) [frazerjones](https://frazerjones.com/us-2)
• Middlemore is a specialist in global payroll, HR, and HRIS search. Its services include executive search, talent mapping, and salary benchmarking. It is a good fit if the role involves payroll transformation or system implementations, but confirm its US depth. [gpa](https://gpa.net/blogs/directory/middlemore)
Finance and accounting search and staffing firms
• Robert Half has an executive search arm and a large US footprint across finance and HR roles.
• Addison Group is a US finance and accounting firm. It has 28 US offices and was ranked #4 on SIA’s list of the largest finance and accounting staffing firms, with payroll roles in its coverage. [addisongroup](https://addisongroup.com/?p=317)
• Career Group Companies is currently recruiting for a multi-state Director of Payroll role, which suggests active work at this level. [careergroupcompanies](https://careergroupcompanies.com/job-posting/183596)
• CFO Search, Inc. focuses on CFO, controller, and executive-level finance positions. It is a reasonable option if you want to position the role under Finance. [shrm](https://vendordirectory.shrm.org/company/742913/cfo-search-inc)
Other firms from my own knowledge (not verified in this search)
Kforce, Hays, Michael Page, and Randstad Professionals all have US finance and HR practices. The big retained firms, such as Korn Ferry, Heidrick & Struggles, and Spencer Stuart, are generally more than a Payroll Director search needs unless it’s a very senior or global role.
How to choose
• Search model: Retained search suits a senior, hard-to-fill role. Contingent search is cheaper and faster, but recruiters may spread their effort across clients. Fees typically run roughly 20–33% of first-year compensation, but get quotes.
• Relevant placements: Ask for payroll director placements from the last 1–2 years. Check for experience in multi-state compliance, wage and hour, union payroll, and your platform (ADP, UKG, Workday, etc.).
• Candidate access: Ask how they reach passive candidates. Many strong payroll leaders aren’t job hunting, and a firm tied to the American Payroll Association (APA) community can help here.
• Guarantee and process: Look for a replacement guarantee of at least 90 days, and clarity on how they’ll work with your US HR team, since it’s running the interviews.
If you share the industry, company size, headcount paid, and whether the role is hybrid or remote, I can narrow this to two or three firms and draft questions to ask each.
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