Payroll Manager

NWS; Greensboro (NC); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

NWS is seeking a detail-oriented UKG Ready Payroll Manager to oversee biweekly/semi-monthly payroll processing for U.S. and Canadian employees.

You will ensure timely, accurate payroll, maintain HRIS data integrity, and support onboarding, offboarding, and related Finance initiatives. The role requires strong UKG Ready knowledge, regulatory compliance across federal, state, and local levels, and the ability to partner with People & Culture, Finance, IT, and Compliance.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of payroll administration experience.
• Proficient in US and Canadian payroll laws and compliance.
• Hands-on UKG Ready, Isolved, PayWorks or similar HRIS experience.
• Strong attention to detail and confidentiality.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end biweekly/semi-monthly payroll in UKG Ready for US and Canada.
• Audit inputs, timekeeping, deductions, benefits and taxes for accuracy.
• Process employee changes and maintain HRIS data integrity.
• Prepare payroll reports and respond to employee inquiries.
• Support year-end activities and compliance with regulations.

Skills

5+ years payroll experience

US/Canada payroll knowledge

UKG Ready proficiency

communication skills

confidentiality

Education

Payroll certification (CPP)

Tools

UKG Ready

Isolved

PayWorks

Ceridian

Job description

The UKG Ready Payroll Manager is responsible for the accurate, timely, and compliant administration of NWS payroll while serving as a key resource for the organization's UKG Ready HRIS and broader Finance operations.

This position will oversee the end-to-end payroll process, including payroll preparation, processing, reconciliation, deductions, employee changes, reporting, and issue resolution. The role will also provide HRIS support to employees and managers, maintain employee data integrity, assist with onboarding and offboarding, and support Finance initiatives and compliance requirements.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, service-focused, and comfortable working with confidential employee information. The position requires strong UKG Ready knowledge, payroll expertise, sound judgment, and the ability to partner effectively with People & Culture, Finance, IT, Compliance, Operations, and Sales.

Payroll Management

• Manage the complete biweekly/semi-monthly payroll process within UKG Ready for U.S. and Canadian employees, ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing.
• Review payroll inputs, including timekeeping, earnings, deductions, benefits, commissions, bonuses, reimbursements, garnishments, and other payroll adjustments.
• Perform detailed pre- and post-payroll audits to identify and resolve discrepancies before payroll is finalized.
• Process employee status, compensation, department, position, tax, and direct-deposit changes.
• Maintain accurate federal, state, and local tax information within UKG Ready.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, provincial, and local payroll regulations
• Experienced in filing Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), Employer Health Tax (EHT), Relevé 1 for Quebec, and T2200 forms in Canada.
• Reconcile payroll registers, general ledger information, deductions, and other payroll-related reports.
• Research and resolve payroll discrepancies and employee questions in a timely and professional manner.
• Coordinate off-cycle, supplemental, and corrective payrolls when necessary.
• Support year-end payroll activities, including W-2's, T-4s preparation, reconciliation, and employee inquiries.
• Maintain compliance with applicable federal, state, and local wage and payroll regulations.
• Maintain appropriate payroll documentation, audit trails, and standard operating procedures.

UKG Ready HRIS Administration

• Serve as a primary internal resource and subject-matter expert for UKG Ready Payroll and HR functionality.
• Maintain employee records and ensure HRIS data is accurate, complete, and current.
• Manage employee lifecycle transactions, including new hires, transfers, promotions, compensation changes, leaves, and terminations.
• Monitor system workflows and approvals to ensure transactions are completed accurately and on time.
• Partner with IT and UKG support resources to troubleshoot system issues and implement enhancements.
• Assist with UKG Ready configuration, testing, upgrades, and process improvements.
• Develop and maintain payroll and HR reports and dashboards to support business decision-making.
• Identify opportunities to automate manual processes and improve HRIS efficiency.
• Maintain appropriate system security and access levels in partnership with People & Culture and IT.

HR Support

• Provide responsive support to employees and managers regarding payroll, benefits, HRIS, timekeeping, and general HR questions.
• Support the employee onboarding process, ensuring new hires are properly entered into UKG Ready and required payroll and HR information is completed.
• Assist with employee offboarding and final-payroll processes.
• Support benefits administration, including enrollments, qualifying life events, deductions, and reconciliation.
• Assist with leave and absence tracking and related HRIS processes.
• Support performance management and other UKG Ready modules as assigned.
• Maintain employee confidentiality and handle sensitive personnel information appropriately.
• Assist People & Culture with HR projects, audits, reporting, and special initiatives.
• Provide training and guidance to employees and managers on UKG Ready functionality and HR processes.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure payroll and HRIS practices comply with applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
• Support internal and external payroll, benefits, and HR audits.
• Maintain required payroll and personnel records in accordance with company policy and legal requirements.
• Monitor changes to payroll and HR requirements and communicate relevant impacts to People & Culture leadership.
• Partner with Compliance and People & Culture to ensure appropriate documentation and controls are maintained.

Cross-Functional Partnership

The Payroll Manager & HR Support role will work closely with:

• Finance — payroll funding, reconciliations, accounting, reporting, and financial controls.
• IT — UKG Ready access, integrations, troubleshooting, security, and system enhancements.
• Compliance — regulatory requirements, audits, documentation, and risk management.
• Operations — timekeeping, employee changes, workforce data, and operational reporting.
• Sales — commissions, incentive compensation, new-hire onboarding, and employee changes.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of payroll administrative experience
• Hands-on experience processing U.S. payroll; Canadian payroll experience required
• Working knowledge of U.S. and Canadian payroll laws, taxes, and compliance requirements
• Strong organizational skills with experience managing physical and digital Payroll files
• High attention to detail and commitment to confidentiality
• Proficiency with HRIS and payroll systems (e.g., UKG Ready, Isolved, PayWorks, Payfluence, Ceridian, Quota Path, or similar)
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Payroll certification (CPP, PCP, or equivalent)
• Experience supporting multi-state U.S. payroll
• Hybrid role based in the Greensboro, NC office and Remote
• Regular interaction with multiple departments, HR, Finance, and employees across the U.S. and Canada
• Strategic thinking and long-term planning
• Strong analytical and financial acumen
• Problem-solving and risk assessment solving and risk assessment solving and risk assessment
• Relationship building and stakeholder management
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills