Payroll Manager

UT Medical; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

UT Medical is seeking a Payroll Manager to lead the daily operations of the Payroll department, ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing while maintaining regulatory compliance. You will oversee payroll staff, systems, audits, reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives, partnering with HR, Finance, and operational leaders.

The role emphasizes coaching a payroll team, meeting payroll deadlines, and driving efficiency with a strong focus on accuracy and customer service for the

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Previous experience leading or supervising a payroll team.
• Knowledge of payroll laws, tax regulations, and payroll compliance.
• Experience with payroll and timekeeping systems.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of payroll professionals.
• Manage biweekly and monthly payroll processing for all pay groups and ensure accuracy and timeliness.
• Oversee time, attendance and payroll system maintenance; audit transactions.
• Ensure compliance with payroll policies and leave practices; coordinate tax reporting and year-end activities.
• Partner with HR, Finance, and department leaders to resolve payroll issues and drive process improvements.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Communication

Attention to detail

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Payroll is one of the organization's most critical functions, ensuring thousands of team members are paid accurately and on time each pay period. As Payroll Manager, you'll lead a team responsible for delivering exceptional payroll services while driving compliance, process improvement, operational excellence, and outstanding customer service across the organization.

Position Summary

The Payroll Manager is responsible for leading the daily operations of the Payroll department, ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing while maintaining compliance with federal, state, and organizational requirements. This leader oversees payroll staff, payroll systems, audits, reporting, and process improvement initiatives while serving as a trusted partner to Human Resources, Finance, and operational leaders.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of payroll professionals.
• Assign and prioritize daily work to ensure payroll deadlines are met.
• Monitor workload and staffing needs to support efficient operations.
• Provide ongoing training, coaching, and performance feedback.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as the department resource for complex payroll questions and escalated issues.

Payroll Operations

• Oversee biweekly and monthly payroll processing for all pay groups.
• Ensure payrolls are completed accurately and on schedule.
• Review and process payroll adjustments.
• Maintain payroll records and supporting documentation.
• Ensure accurate payroll reporting and distribution.

Payroll Systems & Compliance

• Oversee time, attendance and payroll system maintenance.
• Audit payroll transactions and Personnel Action Forms.
• Monitor compliance with payroll policies and leave practices.
• Coordinate payroll tax reporting and year-end activities.
• Recommend and implement process improvements that improve efficiency and accuracy.
• Partner with HRIS and Finance on payroll-related initiatives.
• Partner with Human Resources, Finance, and department leaders to resolve payroll issues.
• Support managers and timekeepers with payroll guidance and training.
• Research and resolve payroll discrepancies.
• Prepare reports and communicate payroll information to stakeholders.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Previous experience leading or supervising a payroll team.
• Knowledge of payroll laws, tax regulations, and payroll compliance.
• Experience with payroll and timekeeping systems.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Build an engaged, high-performing payroll team through coaching and accountability.
• Foster strong partnerships across HR, Finance, and operational departments.
• Drive process improvement while maintaining exceptional accuracy and compliance.
• Develop team members through training, feedback, and professional growth opportunities.
• Lead change effectively and promote a culture of continuous improvement.