Payroll Manager

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Kansas City (MO); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

CRB is seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to lead the end-to-end payroll function across a multi-state, project-based professional services organization. The role ensures accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing while driving continuous improvement through process optimization and HRIS enhancements.

The ideal candidate will lead payroll administrators and partner with HR, Finance, Accounting, Benefits, and IT, with a focus on HRIS implementations and system integrations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field.
• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience, including leadership.
• 3+ years of people leadership experience managing payroll teams.
• Experience processing payroll in a multi-state environment.
• Experience with Workday, Dayforce, or comparable enterprise payroll/HRIS platforms.
• Experience leading HRIS implementations, conversions, or major system enhancements.
• Strong knowledge of payroll tax regulations, wage and hour laws, payroll accounting, and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, and oversee payroll operations across multi-state payrolls.
• Direct day-to-day activities and development of payroll personnel.
• Establish service standards, workflows, and controls for payroll accuracy and compliance.
• Own payroll calendars, deadlines, reconciliations, and year-end activities.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, local, and international regulations as applicable.
• Own payroll tax compliance, reporting requirements, and audit support activities.
• Drive HRIS initiatives, system upgrades, integrations, testing, and redesigns.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, IT, and external auditors on audits and reviews.
• Optimize payroll processes through automation and technology enhancements.

Skills

Payroll leadership

Multi-state payroll

Excel

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, HR, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

Workday

Dayforce

Job description

CRB is a leading provider of sustainable engineering, architecture, construction and consulting solutions to the global life sciences and food and beverage industries. Our more than 1,100 employees provide best-in-class solutions that drive success and positive change for our clients, our people and our communities. CRB is a privately held company with a rich history of serving clients throughout the world, consistently striving for the highest standard of technical knowledge, creativity and execution.

Job Description

CRB is seeking an experienced and strategic Payroll Manager to lead the end-to-end payroll function across a multi-state, project-based professional services organization. This role is responsible for ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing while driving continuous improvement through process optimization, automation, and HRIS enhancements.

The Payroll Manager will provide leadership and oversight payroll administrators, serve as the organization’s payroll subject matter expert, and partner closely with Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, Benefits, and IT teams. The ideal candidate will bring deep payroll expertise, experience within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry, and a demonstrated track record supporting or leading HRIS implementations, upgrades, or system integrations.

This position offers the opportunity to lead a critical function while helping shape CRB’s future payroll and HR technology strategy.

Work Mode: Hybrid - located in Kansas City, MO. In office three days per week.

Responsibilities

Payroll Operations Leadership

• Lead, manage, and oversee all payroll operations to ensure accurate and timely processing of multi-state payrolls.
• Direct the day-to-day activities, development, and performance of payroll personnel
• Establish service standards, workflows, and controls to ensure payroll accuracy, compliance, and exceptional employee support.
• Own payroll calendars, processing deadlines, reconciliations, and year-end activities.
• Ensure payroll practices comply with federal, state, local, and international payroll regulations as applicable.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Maintain ownership of payroll tax compliance, reporting requirements, wage and hour regulations, garnishments, and audit support activities.
• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Partner with HR, Finance, and external auditors to support payroll-related audits and compliance reviews.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes impacting payroll administration and implement required process changes.
• Champion a forward-thinking mindset by questioning existing practices, reimagining processes, and leading the development and implementation of innovative systems and operational improvements that support future business growth.
• Serve as the payroll lead and subject matter expert for HRIS and payroll technology initiatives.
• Lead payroll-related workstreams for HRIS implementations, system upgrades, integrations, testing, and process redesign efforts.
• Partner with HR, IT, and Finance stakeholders to optimize payroll processes through automation and technology enhancements.
• Participate in system selection, requirements gathering, implementation planning, user acceptance testing (UAT), and change management activities.
• Maintain payroll system integrity, reporting accuracy, and data governance standards.
• Manage and oversee paid time off (PTO) administration, including accrual calculations, balance reconciliation, and coordination of leave-related processes in partnership with Payroll, Leave Management, and Human Resources to ensure accuracy, compliance, and a seamless employee experience.

Reporting & Analytics

• Own payroll reporting, reconciliations, and analytical insights for leadership and business partners.
• Develop and maintain audit reports, compliance reporting, workforce cost analysis, and payroll metrics.
• Identify trends, risks, and opportunities for process improvement based on payroll and workforce data.

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Collaborate with Human Resources, Benefits, Finance, Accounting, Project Controls, and Business Leaders to support payroll-related initiatives and employee experience.
• Partner with HR Operations to ensure seamless integration between employee lifecycle processes and payroll administration.
• Serve as the escalation point for complex payroll inquiries and issue resolution.
• Support mergers, acquisitions, organizational changes, and workforce growth initiatives impacting payroll operations.

Success Measures

• Payroll is processed accurately and on time with minimal errors.
• Compliance requirements are consistently met across all jurisdictions.
• Payroll processes are standardized, documented, and scalable.
• HRIS and payroll technology initiatives are successfully implemented and adopted.
• Service levels and employee satisfaction related to payroll support improve year over year.
• Payroll operations support CRB’s continued growth and business objectives.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum 5+ years of progressive payroll experience, including leadership responsibility.
• Minimum 3+ years of people leadership experience managing payroll teams.
• Experience processing payroll in a multi-state environment.
• Demonstrated experience with Workday, Dayforce, or comparable enterprise payroll/HRIS platforms.
• Experience leading or significantly supporting HRIS implementations, conversions, or major system enhancements.
• Strong knowledge of payroll tax regulations, wage and hour laws, payroll accounting, and compliance requirements.
• Advanced proficiency with payroll reporting, analytics, and Microsoft Excel.
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry or other project-based professional services organizations.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation.
• Experience supporting multi-entity or multi-country payroll operations.
• Experience with system integrations, data migration, and process automation initiatives.
• Familiarity with Power BI, ERP systems, workforce analytics, and business intelligence reporting.
• Experience supporting acquisitions, organizational scaling, or business transformation initiatives.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

CRB is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and it is our policy to provide equal opportunity to all people without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other legally protected category. Employment is contingent on background screening.

CRB does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or agencies. Any resume submitted to any employee of CRB without a prior written search agreement will be considered unsolicited and the property of CRB. Please, no phone calls or emails.

CRB offers a complete and competitive benefit package designed to meet individual and family needs.

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.