Payroll Manager

Overview

This role owns U.S. payroll operations end-to-end for the organization, including regular and off-cycle payroll processing, contractor payments, and support for Employer of Record (EOR) payroll. The position is hands-on with no direct reports at the start, and includes building reliable processes and controls as the company grows.

Responsibilities

• Own and run regular and off-cycle U.S. payroll processing in Rippling
• Validate payroll inputs, including:
  • New hires, terminations, compensation changes
  • Bonuses, deductions, and reimbursements
• Administer and reconcile contractor payments
• Coordinate payroll and bonus processing for employees engaged through EOR partners
• Validate EOR payroll calculations and reconcile invoices and statements against internal records
• Manage multi-state payroll requirements, including:
  • Tax withholding, overtime, final pay
  • State registrations, tax notices, filings, and reconciliations
• Administer benefits deductions, garnishments, retirement contributions, and other payroll deductions
• Keep payroll and employee data accurate in Rippling; troubleshoot configurations, reports, workflows, and records
• Investigate payroll discrepancies, identify root causes, and drive issues through resolution
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee payroll questions
• Support payroll-related audits, census requests, and benefits or insurance reviews
• Manage year-end payroll activities, including W-2/1099 processing, annual reconciliations, and related tax requirements
• Build and maintain payroll SOPs and controls; improve accuracy, efficiency, and audit readiness

Requirements

• 5+ years of payroll experience, including at least 3 years directly administering U.S. payroll
• Hands-on experience processing payroll in Rippling
• Experience managing multi-state U.S. payroll
• California and/or New York experience is strongly preferred
• Hands-on experience applying California overtime rules, tax exemptions, and state final-pay requirements
• Strong knowledge of U.S. payroll taxes, wage deductions, and federal and state requirements (including off-cycle payroll)
• Experience independently investigating and resolving payroll discrepancies
• Strong Excel or Google Sheets skills, especially for reconciliations and payroll reporting
• Strong numerical reasoning and exceptional attention to detail
• Professional fluency in spoken and written English
• Strong communication and customer-service skills for handling sensitive employee payroll questions
• Ability to work independently, manage recurring deadlines, and take ownership in a fast-paced environment

Preferred Qualifications / Bonus Experience

• Payroll tax registrations, notices, and agency correspondence
• 401(k), workers’ compensation, or payroll tax audit experience
• Employee census requests and benefits reconciliations
• EOR payroll administration
• Contractor payment administration
• Year-end W-2 and 1099 processing
• Supporting a U.S.-based company remotely from outside the U.S.
• Building or maturing a payroll function at a startup or high-growth company

Compensation & Benefits

• $3,200 - $3,600 USD per month ($38,400 - $43,200 annually)

Location

• Remote (LATAM, Philippines, or India)
• Must keep at least 5 hours of daily overlap with U.S. Pacific Time business hours

Reporting Line

• Reports to VP of Finance