Payroll Manager

Job Description

THE ROLE

The Payroll Manager is responsible for leading and overseeing all U.S. payroll operations, ensuring the accurate and timely processing of payroll. This role owns the end-to-end payroll function, including compliance, controls, process improvement, tax administration, and team leadership. The Payroll Manager serves as the primary escalation point for payroll-related issues and partners closely with HR, Finance, Operations, and external agencies to ensure payroll processes are efficient, compliant, and aligned with business objectives.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, develop, and manage payroll team members, providing ongoing mentorship, performance feedback, and professional development opportunities.
• Ensure the accurate and timely processing of bi-weekly payrolls across multiple employee populations, locations, and pay structures.
• Oversee compliance with all federal, state, and local payroll regulations, as well as company policies.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for payroll-related matters, providing guidance and consultation to business leaders, HR partners, and employees.
• Review and approve payroll processing activities, validating payroll calculations, reconciliations, adjustments, and exception reporting to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Manage payroll tax activities, including the accurate calculation, reporting, and remittance of federal, state, and local taxes, unemployment taxes, workers' compensation, and other payroll liabilities.
• Establish and maintain strong internal controls to safeguard payroll data integrity and ensure compliance with audit requirements.
• Partner with HR, Operations, and management teams to ensure timekeeping systems and records are accurate, resolving issues related to attendance, missed punches, pay adjustments, and other payroll inputs.
• Oversee payroll accounting functions, including reconciliations, general ledger interfaces, accruals, and payroll-related reporting.
• Ensure the accurate administration of paid time off programs, accrual balances, and associated liability reporting.
• Analyze payroll processes and system functionality to identify efficiencies, enhance controls, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage year-end payroll activities, including W-2 processing, audits, regulatory reporting, and employee tax inquiries.
• Support payroll system implementations, upgrades, testing activities, and ongoing system optimization efforts.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations, wage and hour compliance requirements, and payroll best practices.
• Strong understanding of accounting principles, payroll reconciliations, and general ledger processes.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including data analysis, reporting, and reconciliation functions.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
• Proven ability to lead teams, manage competing priorities, and maintain high levels of accuracy in a fast-paced environment.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• 6+ years of progressive payroll leadership experience, preferably within a large, multi-state organization with complex payroll requirements.
• Experience establishing payroll tax accounts and registering in new tax jurisdictions.
• Demonstrated expertise with payroll and timekeeping systems, including payroll processing workflows and integrations.

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