POSITION OVERVIEW: As a
Sr. Payroll Manager at LJA in our
Accounting department, you will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and oversight for accurate, timely, compliant, and secure payroll administration across a complex, multi-state organization. This role leads and develops the payroll team, optimizes payroll technology and processes, supports financial reporting and audits, and serves as a key partner to Human Resources, Benefits, Accounting, and operational leaders. The position also leads payroll integration activities associated with mergers, acquisitions, and organizational changes.
A TYPICAL DAY MIGHT INCLUDE:Payroll Operations and Compliance- Provide strategic leadership and oversight of multi-state payroll operations, ensuring payroll is processed accurately, timely, securely, and in compliance with applicable requirements through UKG Pro.
- Monitor and interpret federal, state, and local payroll regulations and labor law changes, and proactively implement necessary process and system updates.
- Oversee the administration, reconciliation, and remittance of 401(k) payroll deductions in accordance with plan requirements and regulatory guidelines.
- Review payroll documentation, general ledger coding, funding requests, and journal entries for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with internal accounting standards.
Team Leadership and Service Delivery- Lead, mentor, and develop the payroll team through coaching, training, goal setting, performance management, and employee engagement initiatives.
- Establish clear expectations, accountability, and service standards that promote accuracy, responsiveness, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Serve as the payroll subject matter expert and key partner to Human Resources, Benefits, Accounting, and operational leaders on payroll matters and compliance considerations.
Payroll Systems and Process Improvement- Drive operational excellence by evaluating payroll processes, identifying enhancements, and implementing scalable solutions that improve productivity, accuracy, controls, and service delivery.
- Lead UKG Pro enhancements, automation, and optimization initiatives to maximize technology investments and reduce manual processes.
- Manage payroll-related systems and integrations, including UKG Pro, BST, Spectrum, Vision, and QuickBooks, to support data accuracy and effective business processes.
- Lead complex payroll projects, system implementations, testing, and cross-functional process improvements.
Financial Reporting, Controls, and Audit Support- Direct period-end payroll activities, including journal entries, account reconciliations, schedules, analyses, and reporting, to support timely and accurate financial reporting.
- Maintain payroll documentation and strengthen internal controls to support consistency, security, audit readiness, and regulatory compliance.
- Support internal and external audits, including 401(k), ESOP, FAR, financial, and compliance audits, by providing accurate records, analyses, and documentation.
Mergers, Acquisitions, and Organizational Change- Lead payroll integration activities associated with mergers and acquisitions, including payroll setup, data validation, system conversion, testing, employee transition, and post-integration stabilization.
- Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to assess payroll risks, requirements, timelines, and dependencies related to acquisitions and organizational changes.
- Perform other payroll, accounting, systems, or leadership duties as warranted or directed.
REQUIRED EDUCATION/LICENSE/CERTIFICATIONS:- Bachelor's degree in business, accounting, finance, or a related field.
- Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:- 10+ years of progressive payroll experience, including leadership and supervisory responsibilities in a complex, multi-state environment.
- Minimum of two years of strategic administration and optimization of a payroll platform, including 2+ years of UKG Pro payroll processing experience.
- Demonstrated experience leading payroll process improvement, operational transformation, automation, and efficiency initiatives.
- Strong knowledge of payroll regulations, tax requirements, accounting principles, financial reporting, qualified retirement plans and 401(k) administration, and benefit deductions.
- Proven ability to manage complex payroll operations, system implementations, integrations, and cross-functional projects.
- Thorough knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations.
IDEALLY, YOU SHOULD ALSO HAVE:- Experience leading payroll integration for mergers, acquisitions, or other significant organizational changes.
- Experience supporting 401(k), ESOP, FAR, financial, and compliance audits.
- Working knowledge of BST, Spectrum, Vision, QuickBooks, or comparable accounting and project management systems.
- Strong leadership, coaching, communication, collaboration, and relationship-management skills.
- Ability to translate complex payroll and compliance requirements into practical, scalable processes and system solutions.
- Strong analytical judgment, attention to detail, discretion, and commitment to payroll data security and confidentiality.
LEVEL UP WITH LJAAt LJA, we're 100% employee-owned. This drives results, rewards ambition and supports long-term success for every team member. With almost 100 locations and 3,000+ employee-owners (and growing), we're building something big! We want you to be part of it.
Your future grows here.- Generous Time Off: PTO, paid holidays, and a full office closure between Christmas and New Year's.
- Comprehensive Benefits: Multiple health and dental plan options, pet insurance, and mental-health support.
- Family Support: Paid maternity and parental leave to help you focus on what matters most.
- Education Support: Tuition reimbursement and in-house courses provided by our Learning and Development team.
- Referral Bonuses: Know great talent? Get rewarded for helping us grow.
- Community Impact: Company-sponsored volunteer days and philanthropic initiatives.
- Professional Development: Memberships to industry organizations to keep you connected and growing.
- Career Growth: Great internal mobility opportunities to advance your career.
- Fun Culture: LJA social events, employee sports teams, bring your kid to work day, etc.
