US Payroll Manager

Overview

This role is for a US Payroll Manager responsible for overseeing all US payroll activities across five legal entities. The position serves as the senior operational leader during US business hours, managing a team of three payroll specialists and ensuring compliance, accuracy, and timely delivery of payroll processes.

Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Development

• Manage, coach, and develop a team of 3 Payroll Specialists
• Conduct regular one-on-ones, set objectives, and lead performance reviews
• Allocate workload and entity ownership to balance complexity and coverage risk
• Foster a positive team culture with clear accountability and career pathways
• Act as the first-line escalation for payroll queries and processing issues during US hours

Payroll Operations

• Oversee end-to-end payroll processing cycles for 5 US legal entities
• Perform final review and sign-off on payroll runs before funding
• Handle complex or high-risk payroll processing personally
• Manage off-cycle payroll runs, retroactive adjustments, and termination calculations
• Maintain and manage the payroll calendar to meet all deadlines

Compliance & Controls

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations
• Maintain SOX controls documentation and support audits
• Manage year-end processes including W-2 production, reconciliations, and tax filings
• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes affecting payroll and implement updates

Vendor & Stakeholder Management

• Manage relationships with payroll system vendors, tax filing agents, and benefit administrators
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, Legal, and Benefits teams as the primary US payroll contact
• Prepare and present payroll metrics, exception reports, and KPIs to senior stakeholders

Process Improvement & Projects

• Lead initiatives to improve payroll accuracy, efficiency, and controls
• Support system upgrades, new entity setups, and payroll integrations related to mergers and acquisitions
• Contribute to global payroll strategy and standardization projects

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of US payroll experience in multi-state and multi-entity environments
• At least 2 years in a supervisory or team lead role with direct people management
• Deep knowledge of US federal and state payroll tax laws, wage and hour regulations, and year-end compliance
• Hands-on experience with enterprise payroll systems, specifically Workday Payroll
• Experience working within SOX-controlled environments
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) and Workday Payroll certification required
• Advanced Excel skills; Power BI experience preferred

Skills and Competencies

• Expertise in multi-state payroll tax
• Payroll system administration
• SOX controls and audit readiness
• Year-end reconciliation and W-2 processing
• Proficiency in Excel and data analysis
• Knowledge of HRIS integration

Leadership and Behavioral Attributes

• Decisive under time pressure
• Clear and effective communicator across organizational levels
• Proactive in building team capability
• High ownership and accountability
• Comfortable working with global stakeholders
• Continuous improvement mindset

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work at a computer terminal for extended periods
• Ability to stoop, bend, reach, and perform repetitive motions with wrists, hands, and fingers
• Ability to lift, carry, push, pull, and move light objects up to 20 pounds
• Effective verbal communication and auditory and visual perception required

Reasonable accommodations will be provided in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state laws.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary Range: $103,500 - $129,500
• Commission: Not eligible
• Travel: Up to 10% required
• Benefits include dental, vision, multiple group medical plans, 401(k) retirement savings plan, group life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, commuter benefits, employer-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance, supplemental insurance plans, flexible vacation time, paid sick time, 10 paid holidays (plus 2 floating holidays for full-time non-exempt employees), eight weeks paid parental leave (additional weeks for birthing parent), 4 weeks paid caregiver leave, and a monthly Lifestyle Spending Account allowance.

Location Requirements

Candidates must reside in one of the following states:
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

Equal Opportunity

This employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis. Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities during the application and hiring process.

Application Deadline

Applications are accepted until August 31st, 2026. The deadline may be extended as needed.