HR - Payroll - Mgr - Payroll

Golden 1; Sacramento, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Market-competitive pay

Career development

Job summary

Golden 1 Credit Union in Sacramento, California, seeks a strategic Mgr - Payroll to lead payroll operations, ensure accurate processing, and maintain regulatory compliance. This exempt role reports to the Director - People Operations and Culture and oversees a payroll team.

You will drive system updates in Dayforce, conduct audits, prepare tax filings and reports, and partner with HR, finance, and auditors to optimize processes while delivering exceptional employee service.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or related field or equivalent work experience.
• 7+ years of payroll management experience, with 5+ years leading a team.
• Experience using Dayforce payroll systems is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end payroll processing, including salary calculations, deductions and benefits administration.
• Oversee timely entry and verification of employment data (new hires, status changes, tax updates).
• Generate payroll reports and ensure regulatory compliance; conduct audits with internal/external auditors.

Skills

Payroll leadership

Team leadership

Regulatory compliance

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance/HR

Tools

Dayforce payroll system

Job description

Job Description

Posted Thursday, September 3, 2026 at 10:00 AM

Job Title: Mgr - Payroll
Status: Exempt
Reports to: Director - People Operations and Culture
Department: Payroll
Job Code: 6332
Pay Range: $124,700.00 - $150,000.00 Annually
Location: Hybrid in Sacramento CA

WHO WE ARE:

Golden 1 Credit Union is among the top credit unions in the country. As a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative, Golden 1 is guided by the credit union philosophy of “people helping people.” We are committed to empowering our members and uplifting our communities as we create a more equitable and financially inclusive California. We welcome all who embrace our Core Values.

WHO YOU ARE:

You are a strategic and people-focused payroll leader with deep expertise in payroll operations, compliance, and payroll systems administration. You excel at leading and developing high-performing teams, ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing, and driving continuous process improvements. You build trusted partnerships across the organization, leverage technology to enhance efficiency, and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and service excellence while maintaining the highest standards of regulatory compliance and employee support.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

• Oversee end-to-end payroll processing, including salary calculations, deductions and benefits administration, such as provident fund, insurance and healthcare plans.
• Oversee timely entry and verification of employment data, including new hires, job status changes, tax updates, direct deposits, and employee deductions.
• Generate payroll reports, including tax filings, benefits deductions and other required reports, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Conducting regular payroll audits to ensure accuracy and compliance with federal, state, local applicable laws, regulations, best practices and company policies while processing payroll. Liaise with internal and external auditors for payroll tax audits and resolve any discrepancies.
• Maintain accurate employee records, including attendance, leaves and personal information.
• Serve as the escalation point for complex payroll issues, monitor and resolve payroll discrepancies, investigate and resolve issues promptly and accurately and provide timely resolution and high-quality support to internal stakeholders.
• Partner with cross-functional departments to ensure timely and accurate data flow between payroll, timekeeping, benefits, and finance systems.
• Implements, maintains, and reviews payroll processing systems to ensure timely and accurate processing of payroll transactions including salaries, benefits, garnishments, taxes, and other deductions.
• Develop and maintain clear, concise, and accurate procedures and process documents, ensuring procedures comply with industry standards, regulations, and best practices.
• Oversee payroll system updates, testing, and upgrades—particularly within Dayforce environments.
• Prepare month-end close reports, compliance filings, and responses to government or audit inquiries and oversee all state and federal required reporting.
• Provide leadership, guidance, and mentoring to payroll support team members.
• Train, motivate, develop, supervise and evaluate the job performance of Payroll staff.
• Foster a positive and engaging work environment for each team member by promoting skill development, coaching for improvement and growth, inspiring others through your words and actions, ensuring positive employee morale throughout Golden 1, and embracing our mission, vision and core values.
• Critically review and analyze current payroll, HR accounting practices, HRIS systems and processes in order to ensure best-practice operations.
• Collaborate with internal customers to foster a culture of trust, support, and process transparency.
• Maintain thorough understanding of state and federal laws and regulations related to credit union compliance including bank secrecy and anti-money laundering laws appropriate to the position.
• Stay updated on payroll regulations, tax laws and industry trends, implementing necessary changes to ensure compliance and best practices.
• Drive operational excellence by developing processes and tools that ensure a high quality employee experience as well as compliance with wage and hour laws, accounting practices, and all areas of responsibility, document audit methodology and implement ongoing audit procedures.
• Identify opportunities that address service gaps, process inefficiencies, or emerging service requirements, develop the business case for new initiatives, and provide effective project management.
• Perform other jobs as assigned.

QUALIFICIATIONS AND PREFERENCES:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or a related field or equivalent work experience required
• 7+ years of experience in payroll management in processing, with 5 or more years leading a team required
• Experience using Dayforce payroll systems is preferred

WHY JOIN US:

• Golden 1 Credit Union provides its employees a market-competitive and internally equitable total rewards compensation package through a variety of programs.
• These programs are designed to attract, motivate, and retain employees that drive and support the achievement of Our Mission, Vision, and Strategic Goals.
• The Credit Union is committed a total rewards philosophy built on; a comprehensive compensation package, well-being and work-life balance, career development and growth, rewards and recognition, and a commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
• We believe in fostering a workplace where every employee is recognized, valued, and motivated to contribute their best.

commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Please view the full job description detailing the complete list of duties and expectations for this role by clicking or copying this URL into your browser: https://golden1.jdxpert.com/ShowJob.aspx?EntityID=2&id=2693

DISCLAIMER/INTENT AND FUNCTION OF JOB DESCRIPTIONS:

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by team members within this classification. Because the nature of positions and job functions can change over time, this job description is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all essential functions, duties, responsibilities and qualifications requirements of team members assigned to this job. Job duties may be changed or modified in the Credit Union’s discretion. The Credit Union will keep team members updated on key functions, duties, and requirements of their position by communications from the Credit Union and by updating the job description from time to time. Any team member with questions about the nature of their job duties is encouraged to consult with their supervisor.