Senior Manager, Payroll

Overview

This role involves managing end-to-end U.S. payroll operations within a complex, high-growth environment. The Senior Manager of Payroll will oversee weekly, biweekly, and semi-monthly payroll cycles, ensuring accuracy and compliance. The position includes managing one direct report and building scalable payroll infrastructure and processes. It is a high-impact role intersecting People, Finance, and Operations.

Responsibilities

• Own and execute all U.S. payroll runs with zero tolerance for errors or delays
• Manage and mentor one direct report, promoting accountability and operational excellence
• Serve as the internal payroll subject-matter expert, responding promptly to employee inquiries
• Maintain detailed payroll records and documentation for audits, compliance, and reporting
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll laws across all operating jurisdictions
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of California labor laws, including wage and hour rules, overtime, pay stub compliance, and final pay obligations
• Monitor regulatory changes and update policies and processes proactively
• Collaborate with Legal and HR on complex leave scenarios, garnishments, equity-related payroll events, and other non-routine matters
• Partner with the People team to streamline onboarding, offboarding, leaves, compensation changes, and benefits deductions
• Drive process standardization to reduce manual work and improve payroll input accuracy
• Ensure a seamless employee payroll experience with clarity and timeliness
• Work with Accounting to ensure accurate payroll journal entries, reconciliations, and period-end close activities
• Support payroll-related audits and maintain payroll data integrity in the general ledger
• Collaborate with FP&A on headcount forecasting, accruals, and variance analysis related to compensation and benefits
• Lead or co-lead evaluation, selection, and implementation of a new global HRIS and payroll platform
• Define and document payroll system integration requirements and reporting structures
• Identify and implement process improvements and automation to enhance efficiency and data accuracy

Requirements

• 7+ years of progressive payroll experience, preferably in a high-growth, mid-stage startup or fast-paced environment
• Experience managing multi-state and multi-national payroll operations with full payroll lifecycle ownership
• Prior experience managing or mentoring payroll or HR operations staff
• Proven ability to build scalable payroll infrastructure in complex environments
• Deep knowledge of California labor laws and multi-state payroll compliance, tax withholding, and reporting
• High proficiency with Rippling preferred
• Familiarity with payroll accounting principles, journal entries, and reconciliation processes; NetSuite experience is a plus
• Experience leading or contributing to HRIS or payroll platform implementations
• Skilled in evaluating, scoping, and partnering on new system rollouts
• Hands-on experience with payroll integrations and data mapping across HRIS, ERP, and benefits platforms
• Strong ownership mentality with the ability to create structure and improve processes proactively
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to prioritize effectively
• Excellent communication skills to explain complex payroll and compliance topics to non-specialists
• Adaptable and comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving environment

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: $140,000 - $160,000

Location

• United States (specific location not specified)