Manager, Payroll

Location: Hybrid (at least 3 days per week in our NYC, Denver, or Charlotte offices)

Position Summary: 

The Manager, Payroll is responsible for leading the day-to-day payroll operations and owning the delivery of payroll services, controls, compliance, and operational excellence for all employee populations. Reporting to the Director, HR Operations, this role manages a team of Payroll Analysts and partners closely with HR, HR Technology, Benefits, Finance, Accounting, and other stakeholders to deliver accurate and efficient payroll services.

This role combines people leadership with direct payroll expertise and is responsible for overseeing payroll processing, reconciliations, audits, controls, issue resolution, and continuous improvement of payroll processes.

Position Responsibilities: 

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Payroll Analysts, providing clear priorities, guidance, and ongoing performance feedback.
• Oversee end-to-end payroll processing, ensuring payrolls are completed accurately and on schedule.
• Manage day-to-day payroll operations, including payroll calculations, adjustments, deductions, garnishments, taxes, and other payroll-related transactions.
• Review payroll results, reconciliations, and audit reports to identify and resolve discrepancies prior to payroll completion.
• Establish and maintain strong payroll processes, procedures, controls, and documentation.
• Ensure payroll practices comply with applicable federal, state, and local wage and tax requirements.
• Oversee payroll tax administration and jurisdictional setup, including employer registrations, account maintenance, tax agency correspondence, and required updates resulting from changes to the company’s legal structure, name, locations, or employee footprint.
• Serve as an escalation point for complex payroll questions, discrepancies, and employee concerns.
• Partner closely with HRIS to troubleshoot system issues, test configuration changes, and identify opportunities to improve payroll processes and automation.
• Collaborate with HR, Benefits, Finance, Accounting, and other stakeholders to ensure accurate and timely flow of payroll-related information.
• Support payroll accounting activities, including reconciliations, general ledger coordination, funding, and reporting.
• Coordinate year-end payroll activities, including tax reconciliations and preparation and distribution of required employee tax documents.
• Monitor payroll metrics, errors, and trends to identify opportunities for process improvement and increased accuracy.
• Support internal and external payroll audits and provide documentation and reporting as needed.
• Maintain appropriate controls over payroll data, access, approvals, and sensitive employee information.
• Support payroll projects and initiatives led by the Director, HR Operations, including system implementations, process improvements, vendor changes, and organizational initiatives.

Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience, including experience processing complex payrolls.
• 2+ years of experience leading or managing payroll professionals.
• Strong knowledge of payroll processes, wage and hour requirements, payroll taxation, deductions, garnishments, and year-end processing.
• Experience with payroll systems and related HR technology; UKG, or comparable enterprise platforms strongly preferred.
• Experience with payroll reconciliations, audits, controls, and reporting.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple payroll deadlines and competing priorities in a demanding environment.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to explain complex payroll matters clearly.
• CPP or FPC certification preferred.