Job Summary
The Payroll Manager is responsible for end-to-end payroll operations, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing. This role requires deep expertise with UKG Pro's payroll system, strong analytical skills, and the ability to support a diverse workforce that includes restaurant teams, field-based employees, and corporate personnel. The ideal candidate thrives in a collaborative, deadline-driven environment and brings a high level of precision, confidentiality, and customer service.
Essential Responsibilities
- Verifies and ensures that all payroll and benefits transactions are processed and reported in a timely and accurate manner.
- Owns the system data and provides all necessary business reports, statistics and compliance reports as scheduled and requested.
- Ensures and maintains compliance with all federal, state and/or local regulations and reporting-related payroll/benefits processes.
- Processes, reviews and analyzes vendor-provided documents and reports in order to validate invoices, track trends, service metrics and other statistical data against services provided.
- Process biweekly payroll for salaried and hourly employees using UKG Pro, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
- Review and validate timesheets for accuracy in recording overtime, holidays and other special considerations.
- Maintain payroll records in UKG Pro, including earnings, deductions, garnishments, and adjustments.
- Ensure accurate benefit deductions through review and reconciliation of deductions, prorating calculations, and processing updates in UKG.
- Review and reconcile payroll reports prior to final submission; proactively identify and resolve discrepancies.
- Develop and maintain payroll SOPs, documentation, and internal controls.
- Serve as the subject matter expert for payroll processes, system functionality and compliance, ensuring adherence to FLSA, multi-state wage and tax laws, and company policies.
- Prepare, analyze, and distribute payroll reports for Finance and Operations leadership.
- Manage year-end payroll activities, including W-2 processing, taxable benefits, audits, reconciliations, and related compliance reporting.
- Review payroll tax filings, reconcile payroll tax liabilities, and coordinate with UKG to resolve notices and discrepancies.
- Support internal and external audits, providing documentation and explanations as needed.
- Maintain confidentiality and data integrity at all times.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll inquiries, providing clear and timely communication.
- Educate employees and managers on payroll processes, timekeeping expectations, and UKG Pro self-service tools.
- Partner with HR to resolve discrepancies or complex payroll issues.
- Responsible for validating benefit enrollments, life event changes, and benefits data audits.
- Collaborate with the HR team to ensure alignment between payroll and benefits data, especially for deductions, arrears, and taxable benefits.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- 5+ years of progressive payroll experience, including advanced hands-on processing in UKG Pro.
- Strong understanding of payroll laws, multi-state taxation, and compliance requirements.
- High proficiency with Excel (VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, pivot tables, data validation and analysis).
- High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and analytical thinking.
- Ability to manage sensitive information with discretion.
- Detail-driven - catches discrepancies before they become issues.
- Tech-savvy - leverages UKG Pro to its fullest potential.
- Service-oriented - supports employees with clarity and empathy.
- Deadline-focused - thrives in a predictable payroll cycle with occasional project-driven urgency.
- Proactive - anticipates issues and implements solutions before they impact employees.
- Collaborative - partners seamlessly with HR, Finance, and administrative teams.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor's Degree in relevant field of work or equivalent combination of education and work-related experience; Master's Degree a plus
- 10+ years of related experience with demonstrated proficiency in multiple disciplines, technologies, and processes related to the position as well as managing teams and/or significant complex projects
- Strong Human Resources background and experience; previous experience working in a high volume, multi-location organization preferred
Physical Demands
- Exert up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including papers, boxes and/or computer equipment.
