Payroll Manager

American Fire Protection Group, Inc.; Edina (MN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k) with Company Match

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)

Profit Sharing

Job summary

American Fire Protection Group is seeking a Payroll Manager to lead our payroll function during a period of organizational transformation. This role ensures accurate, compliant, and timely payroll processing while guiding change across the organization.

The ideal candidate builds scalable processes, drives continuous improvement, and partners across HR, Finance, Benefits, IT, and leadership to support payroll initiatives and system integrations during our shared transformation.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience with leadership responsibility.
• Experience managing complex, multi-state payroll operations.
• Strong knowledge of payroll tax regulations, wage and hour laws, garnishments, and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop payroll teammates and be the primary payroll operations contact.
• Manage end-to-end payroll processing across multiple companies, states, pay frequencies, and populations.
• Lead payroll changes through system implementations, process standardization, and integrations.
• Partner with HR, Finance, Benefits, IT, and leadership to support payroll initiatives and transformation.
• Identify opportunities to streamline payroll processes and strengthen internal controls.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Prioritization

Attention to detail

Tools

Excel

Oracle

Job description

American Fire Protection Group (AFPG) is a people-first company with a proven track record of investing in our teammates. Our purpose of "Building Great Leaders" is at the forefront of everything we do.

AFPG is powered by APi Group—a global, market‑leading provider of safety and specialty services with more than 500 locations worldwide. As part of APi Group, our teammates enjoy competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, meaningful career development opportunities, and the chance to contribute to a growing organization focused on operational excellence.

At AFPG, we believe work should support life—not compete with it. We are committed to creating an environment where our employees can thrive professionally while maintaining a healthy work‑life balance and ensuring everyone returns home safely each day.

Position Summary

AFPG is seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to lead our payroll function during an exciting period of organizational transformation. This is a highly visible leadership role responsible for ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely payroll processing while leading through significant business change.

This position is ideal for a payroll leader who thrives in a dynamic environment and enjoys building processes, driving continuous improvement, and partnering across the organization. The Payroll Manager will play a critical role as AFPG continues aligning internal companies, streamlining payroll practices, and transitioning to new systems.

Success in this role requires a leader who is adaptable, collaborative, process‑oriented, and comfortable managing change while maintaining exceptional service and compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop branch payroll teammates while serving as the primary point of contact for all payroll operations.
• Manage end‑to‑end payroll processing across multiple companies, states, pay frequencies, and employee populations, including union and non‑union employees.
• Lead payroll operations through organizational changes, system implementations, process standardization, and company integrations.
• Partner with HR, Finance, Benefits, IT, and branch leadership to support payroll‑related initiatives and business transformation efforts.
• Identify opportunities to streamline payroll processes, improve efficiency, strengthen internal controls, and enhance the employee experience.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations, wage and hour laws, union agreements, and company policies.
• Champion SOX compliance, internal controls, audit readiness, and documentation.
• Oversee payroll adjustments, off‑cycle payrolls, final pay calculations, PTO payouts, benefit reconciliations, and deductions including 401(k) and Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP).
• Administer child support, garnishments, tax levies, unemployment claims, and other required payroll deductions.
• Manage employee payroll records and ensure data integrity across payroll systems.
• Support prevailing wage administration, certified payroll reporting, union reporting, and union rate updates.
• Coordinate benefit‑related payroll changes and reconciliations.
• Review and validate payroll calculations, reconciliations, and payroll‑related reporting.
• Respond to payroll inquiries from employees, branch teams, and leadership while providing exceptional customer service.
• Support workers' compensation salary requests, employment verifications, disability payments, and audit requests.
• Train payroll team members and develop standardized procedures and documentation.
• Stay informed on changing payroll legislation, industry best practices, and system enhancements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience with demonstrated leadership experience.
• Experience managing complex, multi‑state payroll operations.
• Strong experience with union payroll and construction industry payroll practices.
• Experience leading teams through organizational change, process improvements, or payroll system implementations.
• Strong knowledge of payroll tax regulations, wage and hour laws, garnishments, prevailing wage, certified payroll, and compliance requirements.
• Experience supporting SOX controls and external or internal audits.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills with strong analytical and reconciliation abilities.
• Experience with Oracle strongly preferred.
• Construction, job costing, or project‑based business experience preferred.
• Strong problem‑solving, organizational, and decision‑making skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to build strong partnerships across all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
• High level of integrity, confidentiality, and attention to detail.
• Adaptable, resilient, and energized by change.
• Must successfully pass a post‑offer drug screen, background check, and reference check.

Why Join AFPG?

Joining AFPG means becoming part of a growing organization where you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact during a pivotal time of transformation. As Payroll Manager, you will help shape the future state of payroll operations by driving process improvements, supporting business integration, and building scalable payroll practices that support our continued growth.

Benefits We Offer

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, and Disability Insurance
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Profit Sharing Plan
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Wellness Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Parental Leave and Paid Pregnancy Medical Leave
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Leadership Development and Professional Training Opportunities
• Annual Discretionary Bonus Opportunity
• Base Salary: $85,000 to $115,000

American Fire Protection Group is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified minorities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

All qualified applicants with American Fire Protection Group and its subsidiaries will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, or status as a qualified individual with a disability or protected veteran.