Job DescriptionTHE 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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