Senior Manager, Payroll

Catalyst Kids

$100K — $120K *
Finance & Insurance
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Associate's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
  • 7-10 years' experience with payroll
  • 3+ years' experience managing a team
  • Computer proficiency in general office software
  • Experience with payroll systems such as Paycom, UKG, ADP, or Workday
  • Strong knowledge of payroll laws and compliance requirements

Responsibilities

  • Oversee end-to-end payroll processing for all employee types ensuring accuracy and timeliness
  • Ensure proper calculation of wages, deductions, and benefits in compliance with policy
  • Manage payroll system configuration and maintain employee records
  • Establish payroll schedules ensuring timely execution and reporting
  • Audit payroll transactions to ensure accuracy and internal control
  • Maintain compliance with regulatory wage and hour laws and tax requirements
  • Serve as the primary payroll subject matter expert, liaising with leadership and external partners

Benefits

  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits
  • 401(k) Retirement plan and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Personal Health Advocate
  • Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
  • Commuter pre-tax benefit
  • Discounted childcare
  • Access to the Calm app
  • Employee discounts through Tickets at Work
  • Training and professional growth opportunities
Full Job Description
The Sr. Manager, Payroll is responsible for overseeing all aspects of payroll operations for the organization, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant processing of employee compensation. This role manages payroll staff, maintains payroll systems, and collaborates with Human Resources (HR), Finance and Accounting, and external partners to ensure payroll processes align with organizational goals and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Oversee end-to-end payroll processing for all employee types (salaried, hourly, contract), ensuring accuracy and timeliness
  • Ensure proper calculation of wages, overtime, deductions, and benefits in compliance with organizational policies
  • Manage payroll system configuration and employee records, including department and fund allocations
  • Establish and maintain payroll schedules and calendars, ensuring timely payroll execution and reporting
  • Review, approve, and audit payroll transactions and exceptions to ensure accuracy and internal control
  • Ensure accurate payroll accounting, including proper general ledger coding, reconciliations, and expense allocations
  • Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including wage and hour laws and tax requirements
  • Prepare and file payroll tax returns and regulatory reports accurately and on time
  • Support internal and external audits, providing documentation, reconciliations, and schedules
  • Supervise and develop payroll staff, including training, performance management, and issue resolution
  • Lead payroll process improvements and implement best practices, policies, and procedures
  • Partner cross-functionally with HR and Finance on benefits, timekeeping, onboarding/offboarding, and reporting
  • Serve as the primary payroll subject matter expert, advising leadership, responding to inquiries, and liaising with auditors, CPAs, and regulatory agencies
  • Perform other duties that are reasonably related to the position's key responsibilities and are consistent with the employee's job classification, skills, and training


Required Qualifications:

  • Associate's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
  • 7-10 years' experience with payroll
  • 3+ years' experience managing a team
  • Computer proficiency in general office software
  • Experience with payroll systems such as Paycom, UKG, ADP, Workday, or similar
  • Strong knowledge of payroll laws, regulations, and compliance requirements


Preferred Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
  • 5+ years' experience managing a team


Key Competencies:

  • Excellent leadership, communication, and analytical skills
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills
  • Good interpersonal skills
  • High attention to details
  • Ability to prioritize, multi-task and work within a tight time schedule


Working Conditions:

  • Generally pleasant working conditions
  • Less than 50% of daily assignments involve prolonged physical effort
  • Travel: None


Shift Type: Full Time, Hybrid

Schedule: Monday - Friday, Exempt, Typically 8 hour shifts

What We Offer:

  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits
  • 401(k) Retirement plan and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Personal Health Advocate
  • Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
  • Commuter pre-tax benefit
  • Discounted childcare
  • Access to the Calm app
  • Tickets at Work employee discounts
  • Be constantly in a learning and growth process with training and professional growth advisory


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