Job Overview

The Senior Manager, Payroll leads the payroll team and oversees payroll operations for a large, multi-state workforce, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and operational excellence. This role plays a critical part in payroll and tax compliance risk mitigation, audit readiness, and driving process innovation to support the company's continued growth and scalability. As a trusted payroll subject matter expert, the Senior Manager leads high-impact initiatives including payroll system implementations and integrations, tax compliance initiatives, process redesign, and policy governance. Working collaboratively across Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, Legal, and external partners, this leader develops scalable payroll solutions, strengthens internal controls, and ensures payroll operations align with evolving business needs and regulatory requirements.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop the payroll team responsible for timely and accurate multi-state payroll processing.
• Develop and execute payroll strategies that improve efficiency, automate processes, and support business growth.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations while maintaining strong internal controls and audit readiness.
• Partner with HR, Finance, Accounting, Legal, and business leaders to align payroll operations with organizational priorities.
• Manage relationships with third-party payroll providers, tax agencies, and system vendors to ensure exceptional service and compliance.
• Lead payroll system implementations, upgrades, integrations, and process improvement initiatives across payroll, HRIS, timekeeping, and financial systems.
  Oversee the accurate administration of complex payroll transactions, including bonuses, commissions, equity payments, retroactive pay, garnishments, and leave programs.
  Monitor changes in payroll legislation and implement compliant policies, procedures, and best practices.
  Develop payroll metrics, reporting, and executive dashboards that provide actionable business insights.
  Serve as the escalation point for complex payroll issues and lead special HR and payroll projects as needed.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field.
• 7+ years of progressive payroll experience, including leadership and team management responsibilities.
• Experience managing payroll operations for a large, multi-state organization.
• Expertise with UKG Pro (UltiPro) or a comparable enterprise payroll platform; payroll system implementation experience is strongly preferred.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation is strongly preferred.
• Expert knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll laws, tax compliance, and reporting requirements.
• Strong leadership, analytical, and problem-solving skills with a track record of driving continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with the ability to influence stakeholders across the organization.
• Ability to manage confidential information with professionalism and integrity.
• Experience leading cross-functional projects and implementing scalable payroll processes.
• Willingness to travel up to 10% as needed.

Additional Information