Payroll Manager

Position Overview

The Payroll Manager is responsible for the accurate and timely execution of end-to-end payroll operations across multiple pay groups. This role serves as a subject matter expert in payroll processing, compliance, and systems, ensuring adherence to all federal, state, and local regulations. The Payroll Manager partners cross functionally with HR, Finance, and IT to drive process efficiency, maintain strong internal controls, and deliver a high quality employee experience.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Processing & Operations

• Manage full cycle payroll processing for various employee populations.
• Maintain payroll calendars, deadlines, and funding processes to ensure timely and accurate payroll execution.
• Review and validate payroll data including earnings, deductions, taxes, and garnishments prior to final submission.
• Process off-cycle payments, adjustments, and corrections as needed.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local wage and hour laws, including FLSA and final pay requirements.
• Interpret and apply pay rules in accordance with company policies and applicable labor agreements.
• Maintain audit readiness through proper documentation, controls, and adherence to internal audit and SOX requirements.
• Stay current on regulatory changes and assess impact to payroll processes.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Serve as subject matter expert for Workday including configuration support, testing, and issue resolution.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and automation to increase efficiency and reduce risk.
• Develop, document, and maintain payroll procedures and standard operating processes.

Data, Reporting & Reconciliation

• Perform payroll reconciliations, including variance analysis and general ledgers.
• Generate and analyze payroll reports to identify discrepancies, trends, and areas of risk.
• Support year-end activities including W-2 processing, tax filings, and audit requirements.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with HRIS and IT on system integrations and data integrity.
• Act as an escalation point for complex payroll issues and inquiries.
• Resolve complex payroll discrepancies with a high level of accuracy and responsiveness.
• Communicate payroll-related updates, impacts, or issues clearly to employees and stakeholders.

Governance & Controls

• Execute and monitor payroll controls, including approvals, audit trails, and segregation of duties
• Support internal and external audits by providing documentation and responding to audit requests
• Identify and mitigate payroll risks, proactively addressing gaps in processes or controls
• Maintain payroll-related business processes, security roles, and integrations.
• Monitor inbound and outbound integrations to ensure data accuracy and system stability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 5+ years of Workday payroll experience, including full cycle payroll processing in a multi-state environment.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations.
• Proven ability to manage complex Payroll scenarios with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Experience processing payroll for union populations is preferred.
• Experience with prevailing wage requirements and compliance is preferred.
• Experience supporting payroll in a SOX-controlled environment.