Payroll Manager

CFS; Milwaukee (WI); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

CFS in Milwaukee, WI, is seeking a Payroll Manager to lead end-to-end payroll operations across multiple states in a hybrid environment. You will coach a payroll team, ensure tax and wage regulation compliance, and collaborate with HR, Finance, and Benefits to drive system improvements and scalable processes.

The role emphasizes leading payroll technology enhancements and delivering accurate reporting to leadership. Compensation ranges from $125,000 to $140,000 plus bonus dependent on experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, HR, Business preferred.
• 6+ years of progressive payroll experience with large-scale operations.
• Experience leading and developing a payroll team.
• Strong multi-state payroll, tax, wage regulations knowledge.
• Experience with payroll/HRIS platforms and system implementations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end payroll across multiple states and locations.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and development to payroll team.
• Ensure compliance with payroll taxes and wage regulations.
• Oversee reconciliations, audits, tax reporting, year-end payroll.
• Improve processes for accuracy, efficiency, and consistency.
• Partner with HR, Finance, Benefits on payroll matters.
• Lead payroll technology enhancements and automation.
• Resolve complex payroll issues with guidance on policies.
• Maintain payroll controls, procedures, and documentation.
• Prepare payroll reporting and analysis for leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Multi-state payroll

Payroll processes

Automation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, HR, Business

Tools

HRIS platforms

Payroll software

Job description

Salary: $125,000–$140,000 + Bonus

Why You Should Consider This Opportunity

• Step into a high-impact leadership role overseeing payroll operations for a large and complex employee population
• Join a global organization that values collaboration, professional development, continuous improvement, and work/life balance
• Benefit from a hybrid schedule with up to two remote days per week
• Work cross-functionally with HR, Finance, Benefits, and business leadership while serving as a key payroll resource across the organization
• Take an active role in enhancing payroll systems, strengthening controls, and creating more efficient and scalable processes
• Opportunity to lead and develop a payroll team while helping shape the future of the payroll function

Responsibilities of the Payroll Manager

• Oversee end-to-end payroll operations across multiple states and locations, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on schedule
• Provide leadership, coaching, and development to the payroll team while establishing clear processes and priorities
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax requirements as well as applicable wage and hour regulations
• Oversee payroll reconciliations, audits, tax reporting, and year-end payroll activities
• Evaluate current payroll processes and implement improvements that increase accuracy, efficiency, and consistency
• Partner with HR, Finance, Benefits, and other departments to resolve payroll matters and support broader organizational initiatives
• Lead payroll technology enhancements, automation efforts, system implementations, and process standardization
• Research and resolve complex payroll issues while providing guidance on payroll policies and best practices
• Develop and maintain effective payroll controls, procedures, and documentation
• Prepare payroll reporting and analysis to support leadership and business needs

Qualifications For The Payroll Manager

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business, or a related discipline preferred
• 6+ years of progressive payroll experience with demonstrated knowledge of large-scale payroll operations
• Previous experience leading and developing a payroll team
• Strong understanding of multi-state payroll processing, payroll taxes, wage and hour regulations, and compliance requirements
• Experience working with payroll and HRIS platforms in a complex organizational environment
• Background in payroll system implementations, automation, or process optimization strongly preferred

Compensation: $125,000–$140,000 + bonus, depending on experience

#INSEP2026