Payroll Manager

At The Standard, you’ll join a team focused on putting our customers first.

Our continued success is driven by a high-performance culture. We’re looking for people who are collaborative, accountable, creative, agile and are driven by a passion for doing what’s right – across the company and in our local communities.

We offer a caring culture where you can make a real difference, every day.
 
Ready to reach your highest potential? Let’s work together.

Job Summary:

The Payroll Manager is responsible for managing the payroll function to ensure accurate and timely processing of payroll, compliance with federal, state and Social Security regulations and the Company’s compensation and benefit structure. Uses performance measurement models, systems, and tools to monitor the payroll value stream performance health, support problem solving to address gaps in performance and identify opportunities to improve. Uses effective leadership, change management, and process improvement experience to drive processes and technologies that result in productivity gains, cost savings, and improved workflow and quality.

Responsible for managing the work environment, identifying workforce needs and ensuring alignment with corporate manager expectations, values and vision.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities:

• Leads and develops the payroll team to support the maintenance of the Company’s payroll and payroll tax compliance function in accordance with established payroll policies and procedures regarding withholding, taxation of benefits, garnishments, relocation reimbursements and nonqualified plans.
• Determines Company's compliance requirement with respect to withholding and reporting as it applies to payroll by interpreting relevant laws and regulations, including applicable state and federal wage and hour laws.
• Establishes and enforces procedures designed to verify the integrity of the payroll data prior to processing to ensure its accuracy.
• Reviews payroll work products, such as payroll audits, journals, certifications, and other work completed by payroll team members.
• Manages the design, implementation, and monitoring of the internal control structure to facilitate accurate and complete payroll process and related financial reporting.
• Manages the development of training and cross-training objectives to ensure effectiveness in job and mitigation of risk.  
• Manages the development and communication of payroll policies and procedures. Administer the Company's policies and procedures regarding compensation and benefits to payroll.
• Manages the tasks and processes and collaborates with key stakeholders to successfully complete payroll processing and related payroll tax deliverables. 
• Communicates decisions, to key stakeholders across the division including internal customers, partners, and upper-level management.
• Identify payroll issues that require escalation and consultation with upper management and propose solutions.
• Manages continuous improvement and performance measurement models, techniques, systems, and tools that enable the monitoring of the payroll value stream performance health.
• Leads continuous improvement for the payroll team using performance metrics and data, and optimize processes to ensure quality, effectiveness, and delivery of customer value.
• Manages the performance management of third-party payroll providers and/or sourcing partners; create and monitor SLA adherence; operational issue resolution and escalation; general oversight of performance and process improvements.

Skills and Background You’ll Need:

Education: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, Finance, Economics, or related field required.
• CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) preferred.

Experience: 

• 10-12 years payroll experience including strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll taxation and withholding.
• 5 years of payroll leadership experience (required).
• Experience working in high volume, multi-state payroll environment including hands-on experience with tax and related compliance functions.
• Advanced knowledge related to taxability of fringe benefits including cafeteria plans, and nonqualified and qualified plans.
• Previous accounting experience and working knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Strong PC skills (Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint) and experience with large ERP systems required.
• Experience analyzing complex transactions, processes or policies and documenting conclusion in memorandums or ad hoc deliverables. Strong knowledge of federal and state wage and hour laws.
• Demonstrated ability to oversee and handle multiple projects, competing priorities and deliverables including project management.
• Demonstrated ability to develop influential and collaborative relationships across teams, functions, and cultures.
• Demonstrated ability to express ideas clearly and persuasively in oral, written, and presentation forms.

Key Behaviors of a Successful Candidate:

• Winning together: Proven business partnering skills with the ability to work across organizations and geographies to drive improvements and work through challenges and provide solutions.  
• Driving success: Constantly pursues exceptional results that take us “next level.” Comfortable proposing, justifying, initiating, and implementing change.
• Adaptability: Demonstrated ability to work independently and operate effectively in a fast-paced environment and successfully navigate ambiguous situations.
• Developing People: Proven leadership skills, managing, leading and developing a team. Provides training, coaching/feedback, appropriate delegation, goal setting & monitoring, as well as performance management to grow and develop a successful payroll team.

Why join The Standard?

We have built an enduring legacy of stability, innovation and financial strength thanks to the contributions of the talented, creative and compassionate people who choose to work at The Standard. To ensure we can attract and retain the best talent, when you join The Standard you can expect:

• A rich benefits package including a 401(k) plan with matching company contributions
• An annual incentive bonus plan
• Generous paid time off
• A supportive and responsive management approach
• Opportunities for career growth and advancement 
• Paid time off to volunteer
• An employee giving program that double matches your donations to eligible nonprofits and schools
• Much more!

#LI-Remote

Please note - the salary range for this role is listed below. In addition to salary, our package includes incentive plan participation and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision and retirement benefits, as well as an initial PTO accrual of 164 hours per year. Employees also receive 11 paid holidays and 2 wellness days per year.

• Eligibility to participate in an incentive program is subject to the rules governing the program and plan. Any award depends on various factors, including individual and organizational performance.

Salary Range:

Standard Insurance Company, The Standard Life Insurance Company of New York, Standard Retirement Services, Inc., StanCorp Equities, Inc. and StanCorp Investment Advisers, Inc., marketed as The Standard, are Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status or any other condition protected by federal, state or local law. The Standard offers a drug and alcohol free work environment where possession, manufacture, transfer, offer, use of or being impaired by an illegal substance while on Standard property, or in other cases which the company believes might affect operations, safety or reputation of the company is prohibited. The Standard requires a criminal background investigation, employment, education and licensing verification as a condition of employment. All employees of The Standard must be bondable.