Payroll Manager

Burnett Specialists Staffing | Recruiting; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Burnett Specialists Staffing | Recruiting is seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to lead a growing multi-state payroll operation for 1,300+ employees across 26 states. You will develop the team, optimize processes, and ensure compliance while partnering with Accounting, HR, and Operations.

The role emphasizes strong technical payroll knowledge, process improvement, and cross-functional collaboration to support a scalable payroll function.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading and developing a payroll team.
• Strong multi-state payroll leadership experience.
• Experience supporting a sizable hourly/field-based workforce.
• Advanced ADP Workforce Now experience including payroll and timekeeping.
• Strong payroll tax, compliance and reconciliations knowledge.
• Experience with payroll controls and process improvements.
• Understanding of payroll-to-GL and ERP integrations.
• Bachelor's degree preferred; significant leadership experience will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coach the payroll team
• Oversee multi-state and multi-entity payroll
• Review and approve payroll while resolving complex issues
• Serve as the ADP Workforce Now subject matter expert
• Oversee complex pay practices including hourly wages, per diem, travel time and job-based labor
• Identify opportunities to automate and streamline payroll processes
• Strengthen payroll controls, documentation and procedures
• Oversee payroll accounting, reconciliations and labor/job-cost allocations
• Partner with Accounting on payroll-to-GL and ERP integrations
• Ensure compliance with federal, state and local payroll and tax requirements
• Support 401(k), workers' compensation and insurance audits
• Support certified payroll and OCIP reporting
• Build scalable processes and cross-training as the organization grows

Skills

Payroll leadership

Multi-state payroll

ADP Workforce Now

Payroll tax compliance

ERP integrations

Payroll controls

Timekeeping

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

ADP Workforce Now

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to lead and continue developing a growing, complex multi-state payroll function. This is a true leadership role for someone who brings strong technical payroll knowledge, enjoys developing a team, and knows how to improve processes and systems.

The Payroll Manager will oversee payroll for approximately 1,300+ employees across 26 states and multiple legal entities, including a significant hourly and field-based workforce. This position reports to the Controller and partners closely with Accounting, HR and Operations.

What You will Do

• Lead, coach and develop the Payroll team
• Oversee accurate and timely multi-state and multi-entity payroll
• Review and approve payroll while resolving complex issues and escalations
• Serve as the payroll and ADP Workforce Now subject matter expert
• Oversee complex pay practices including hourly wages, per diem, travel time and job-based labor
• Identify opportunities to automate and streamline payroll processes
• Strengthen payroll controls, documentation and procedures
• Oversee payroll accounting, reconciliations and labor/job-cost allocations
• Partner with Accounting on payroll-to-GL and ERP integrations
• Ensure compliance with federal, state and local payroll and tax requirements
• Support 401(k), workers? compensation and insurance audits
• Support certified payroll and OCIP reporting
• Build scalable processes and cross-training as the organization continues to grow

What We are Looking For

• Proven experience managing and developing a payroll team
• Strong multi-state payroll leadership experience
• Experience supporting a sizable hourly and/or field-based workforce
• Advanced ADP Workforce Now experience required, including payroll and timekeeping
• Strong payroll tax, compliance, reconciliation and accounting knowledge
• Experience with payroll controls and process improvement
• Understanding of payroll-to-GL and ERP integrations
• Bachelor?s degree preferred; significant relevant payroll leadership experience will also be considered

Big Plus If You Have

• Construction, field services, utilities, energy, industrial services or manufacturing payroll experience
• Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central experience
• Payroll/timekeeping implementation or optimization experience
• Certified payroll and/or OCIP reporting experience
• CPP certification

This is a great opportunity for an established payroll leader who wants to lead a team, improve processes and help scale a growing payroll operation.