Payroll Manager

Overview

This role oversees all payroll operations for the organization, including NBA players (and future WNBA personnel), coaches, basketball operations staff, business operations staff, and part-time/event staff. The position requires strong knowledge of payroll regulations, league and tax compliance requirements, and the ability to manage highly confidential information with professionalism and discretion. The ideal candidate will also help improve and streamline existing payroll processes and systems.

Responsibilities

• Complete end-to-end payroll processing for all employees, including full-time and part-time staff, athletes, coaches, and game-day personnel
• Coordinate with the tax manager and payroll provider on multi-state/provincial and international payroll requirements for players and traveling staff, and communicate with players and representatives
• Coordinate with league representatives to ensure compliance with league rules, collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), and tax regulations
• Oversee, review, and coordinate all employee deduction activities including 401(k) and garnishments
• Manage payroll-related audits and/or audit requests, including 401(k), workers compensation, financial, and league or regulatory reviews
• Review and approve payroll tax reports; ensure timely remittance of taxes and statutory deductions; reconcile year-end reporting with the payroll provider
• Provide cash management reporting for all processed and projected payrolls
• Partner with HR for oversight of HRIS/payroll systems, ensuring data accuracy, security, and proper integration
• Respond to manager, employee, and designated representative payroll inquiries and resolve discrepancies
• Assist with preparation of payroll journal entries and month-end payroll account reconciliations

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or equivalent work experience in the payroll field
• 5+ years of payroll experience
• Strong knowledge of 401(k) plans including management, oversight, and compliance
• Strong knowledge of payroll laws, tax regulations, and compliance requirements (multi-jurisdictional experience preferred)
• Experience with complex compensation and taxation structures is a plus (sports, entertainment, or similarly complex organizations)
• Familiarity with CBAs and athlete compensation structures is a plus

Skills & Competencies

• Deep attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information and work in a deadline-driven environment (NBA and WNBA calendars)
• Proficiency in Paylocity payroll system is a plus and advanced Excel skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Working Conditions

• Flexible work is required during certain times, including bi-weekly and semi-monthly payroll processing, basketball season, and year-end processing
• Coordination with basketball and accounting staff

Preferred (NBA-Specific Experience)

• Experience working with contracts, bonuses, and special payroll payments
• Experience handling payroll for unionized environments and high-profile employees
• Experience with state wage allocation

Compensation & Benefits

Not specified in the posting.

Location

Not specified in the posting.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The organization is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable participation in the application and interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.