OverviewWe are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Payroll Manager to lead North American payroll operations across the United States and Canada. This role will oversee payroll for a complex multi-state, multi-entity organization operating under multiple EINs/legal entities, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing for approximately 1,400+ employees. As part of a lean payroll department of two, the Payroll Manager must be highly efficient, process-oriented, and comfortable balancing hands-on execution with strategic oversight. Success in this role will require strong payroll expertise, clear employee and manager education, exceptional customer service, and the ability to lead change management as the organization continues to scale and evolve.
This is a hybrid position, reporting to the office three days per week (Tuesday through Thursday). Office location options are Horsham, PA; Coral Gables, FL; or Fort Lauderdale, FL. We offer a competitive compensation package, including a salary range of $110,000 - $160,000, an annual bonus, comprehensive medical benefits starting on day one, and a company-matched 401(k) plan.
Responsibilities- Lead end-to-end payroll operations for a multi-state workforce in the United States and Canada (1,400+ employees), ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing on a bi-weekly basis, with a planned transition to semi-monthly payroll in 2027.
- Oversee payroll for a multi-entity organization with multiple EINs/legal entities, ensuring proper entity-level setup, payroll tax treatment, reporting, reconciliations, and compliance controls.
- Manage a lean payroll function as a department of two, prioritizing workload, building scalable processes, cross-training, and maintaining strong backup procedures to ensure continuity.
- Drive payroll efficiency through process standardization, automation, exception management, documentation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Ensure alignment between time and attendance data and payroll, resolving discrepancies prior to payroll close and identifying recurring issues for process improvement.
- Manage complex payroll elements such as bonuses, commissions, retro pay, wage garnishments, benefits deductions, leave programs, and other special payments.
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, provincial, and local wage and hour laws, including overtime, meal/rest periods, timekeeping requirements, payroll tax obligations, and record retention.
- Partner with HR, Finance, Tax, Legal, and Operations on pay policies, entity changes, timekeeping configurations, workforce changes, audits, and compliance requirements.
- Serve as the payroll subject matter expert and educator for employees, managers, HR partners, and business leaders; develop clear guidance, training, and communications on payroll processes and expectations.
- Provide high-quality customer service by acting as an escalation point for payroll and time and attendance inquiries, resolving issues with urgency, accuracy, empathy, and clear follow-through.
- Lead payroll and time and attendance audits; research and resolve issues, implement corrective actions, and strengthen internal controls.
- Develop, document, and enhance payroll and time and attendance policies, procedures, SOPs, internal controls, and service standards.
- Lead change management for payroll-related initiatives, including system implementations, upgrades, integrations, policy changes, process redesign, and the payroll frequency transition.
- Manage, develop, and coach payroll staff; provide training, performance feedback, and clear expectations to support accuracy, accountability, and professional growth.
Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or related field required.
- 5-7+ years of progressive payroll experience in a high-volume, multi-state and/or international environment, including experience supporting a multi-entity organization; multi-EIN payroll experience strongly preferred.
- Minimum of 3 years of supervisory or team leadership experience, preferably in a lean payroll function requiring hands-on ownership and strong prioritization.
- Advanced proficiency in Excel and payroll systems; Workday experience preferred.
- In-depth knowledge of payroll tax regulations, wage and hour laws, payroll compliance requirements, timekeeping practices, and internal controls.
- Demonstrated ability to improve processes, create documentation, educate stakeholders, and drive adoption of payroll changes across employee and manager populations.
- Strong attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to manage competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent customer service, communication, problem-solving, and change management skills.
Certifications, Licenses, And/Or Registration:- Payroll accreditation, such as Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), preferred.
