Position: Payroll Manager
Rate: $110,000 - $120,000
Job Type: Full-time
Schedule: 8-hour shift, Monday - Friday
Benefits: Full-Time- Comprehensive benefits options, including medical, dental, vision, life, STD, LTD, hospital indemnity, critical illness, and accident insurance.
- HSA, Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA
- EAP (Employee assistance program)
- Employee discount program
- PTO (Paid time off)
- Dayforce Wallet Daily Pay
- Pre-Tax 401(k)
- After-Tax Roth
- Tuition discount through Capella University
Job SummaryThe Payroll Manager is responsible for leading the organization's payroll function while driving operational excellence, compliance, process improvement, and automation. This leader ensures payroll is processed accurately, timely, and in compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations while delivering an exceptional employee experience.
Beyond managing payroll operations, the Payroll Manager serves as a strategic partner to Human Resources, Finance, Benefits, and Operations by identifying opportunities to improve processes, leverage technology, reduce risk, and support organizational growth.
This role is ideal for a hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced, high-growth environment and enjoys building scalable processes that improve efficiency and employee satisfaction.
Skills & Knowledge- Proven leadership experience with the ability to build, coach, and develop high-performing teams.
- Advanced knowledge of multi-state payroll processing, payroll tax regulations, wage and hour laws, garnishments, benefit deductions, and retirement contributions.
- Strong understanding of federal, state, and local payroll compliance requirements.
- Experience leading payroll operations in a high-growth, multi-location organization.
- Demonstrated ability to identify opportunities for process improvement, automation, and operational efficiency.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret payroll data and make informed recommendations.
- Experience partnering with Human Resources, Finance, Benefits, and Operations to deliver exceptional internal customer service.
- Proficiency with enterprise HRIS and payroll systems; Dayforce experience strongly preferred.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills with experience in payroll reporting and data analysis.
- Excellent organizational, project management, and time management skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across all levels of the organization.
- High level of integrity and discretion in handling confidential employee information.
- Customer-focused mindset with a commitment to delivering an outstanding employee experience.
Essential Duties & ResponsibilitiesPayroll Leadership & Operations- Lead all payroll operations for a multi-state workforce, ensuring payroll is processed accurately, timely, and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
- Establish payroll schedules, assign workloads, and oversee daily payroll operations.
- Supervise, coach, develop, and evaluate Payroll team members while fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and exceptional customer service.
- Review, audit, and approve payroll prior to transmission.
Compliance & Risk Management- Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations.
- Oversee payroll tax reporting, garnishments, wage assignments, retirement contributions, benefit deductions, and year-end payroll activities, including W-2 processing.
- Maintain payroll policies, procedures, internal controls, and documentation.
- Coordinate payroll audits and ensure compliance with internal and external regulatory requirements.
- Protect the confidentiality and security of payroll and employee information.
Process Improvement & Technology- Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, increase efficiency, and reduce manual work through automation.
- Partner with the HRIS Manager to implement technology solutions, optimize workflows, and improve system functionality.
- Standardize payroll processes to support organizational growth, acquisitions, and scalability.
- Develop and monitor payroll metrics to improve operational performance and service delivery.
Business Partnership- Partner with Human Resources, Benefits, Finance, Accounting, and Operations to resolve payroll issues and improve cross-functional processes.
- Serve as the organization's payroll subject matter expert for strategic initiatives, system implementations, acquisitions, and organizational changes.
- Provide payroll reporting and insights that support business decision-making and workforce planning.
Employee Experience- Ensure employees receive accurate and timely pay while delivering a high level of customer service.
- Respond to complex payroll inquiries and resolve escalated issues with professionalism and urgency.
- Continuously improve the employee payroll experience by simplifying processes and enhancing communication.
Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or a related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
- Minimum of 5 years of progressive payroll experience, including multi-state payroll administration.
- Minimum of 2 years of leadership or supervisory experience leading payroll professionals.
- Experience processing payroll for organizations with 2,000+ employees preferred.
- Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations.
- Experience managing payroll audits, reconciliations, compliance, and internal controls.
- Experience with enterprise HRIS and payroll systems; Dayforce experience strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to improve payroll processes, identify efficiencies, and implement process improvements.
- Experience partnering effectively with Human Resources, Finance, Benefits, and Operations.
- Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification preferred, but not required.
- Experience supporting organizational growth, system implementations, or payroll transitions preferred.
- Successful completion of background and reference checks.
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