Payroll Manager

CFS; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

ESOP - Employee Ownership

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k) match

Life insurance

Disability coverage

PTO and paid holidays

Job summary

CFS in the United States seeks a Payroll Manager to lead end-to-end payroll for a nationwide workforce across 35+ states, including union and non-union employees. You will handle certified payroll reporting and prevailing wage compliance for public works, while guiding audits and process improvements.

As a senior leader in a 100% employee-owned organization, you will partner with HR, Finance, and executives, overseeing a Payroll Associate and driving system enhancements, reporting, and controls

Qualifications

• 7-10 years of progressive payroll experience, including at least 3 years of payroll leadership or people management.
• Experience with ADP or other enterprise payroll platforms including administration, reporting, configuration, troubleshooting, and maintenance.
• Proven experience managing multi-state payroll operations across multiple jurisdictions.
• Hands-on experience with union payroll, collective bargaining agreements, certified payroll reporting, and prevailing wage compliance.
• Strong understanding of U.S. payroll regulations (FLSA, multi-state tax, wage and hour).
• Intermediate-to-advanced Excel skills (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP).
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end payroll processing for union and non-union employees across multiple states.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations, tax requirements, and wage and hour laws.
• Administer payroll requirements tied to collective bargaining agreements, including wages, fringes, deductions, remittances, and reporting.
• Oversee certified payroll reporting and prevailing wage compliance for public works projects.
• Lead payroll audits, reconciliations, census reporting, and compliance reviews.
• Partner with Finance on account reconciliations, reporting, audits, and controls.
• Serve as internal payroll systems resource for software administration and reporting.
• Supervise and mentor the Payroll Associate to ensure accuracy and service levels.
• Independently manage weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual payroll obligations.

Skills

Payroll leadership

Multi-state payroll

ADP expertise

Union payroll

Certified payroll reporting

Excel

Data analysis

Payroll audits

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

ADP

Job description

Lead a high-impact payroll function supporting a nationwide workforce across 35+ states while helping preserve some of America's most iconic landmarks. This is an opportunity for a seasoned Payroll Manager who brings expertise in multi-state compliance, union payroll, certified payroll reporting, and team leadership, and wants real ownership in a stable, employee-owned organization.

Payroll Manager

Salary

$110,000 – $130,000 + Bonus + Comprehensive Benefits

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• Join a 100% employee-owned company and participate in the organization’s long-term success through an ESOP.
• Take ownership of a complex payroll function supporting 200-400 employees across 35+ states and multiple union jurisdictions.
• Play a key leadership role partnering with Human Resources, Finance, and executive leadership on compliance, audits, reporting, and process improvements.
• Gain exposure to challenging payroll environments involving prevailing wage requirements, certified payroll reporting, public works projects, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Lead and develop a Payroll Associate while helping elevate payroll operations and controls.
• Influence system improvements, reporting capabilities, and payroll process optimization initiatives.
• Enjoy a hybrid work schedule with meaningful visibility and autonomy.
• Receive a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k) match, life insurance, disability coverage, PTO, and paid holidays.
• Support projects that preserve historic architecture and cultural landmarks throughout the United States.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end payroll processing for union and non-union employees across multiple states.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations, tax requirements, wage and hour laws, and multi-state payroll requirements.
• Administer payroll requirements tied to collective bargaining agreements, including union wages, fringes, deductions, remittances, and reporting.
• Oversee certified payroll reporting and prevailing wage compliance for public works and government-funded projects, ensuring contractors and subcontractors meet required wage and benefit obligations.
• Lead payroll audits, payroll reconciliations, union wage audits, census reporting, and compliance reviews.
• Partner with Finance on account reconciliations, reporting, audits, and payroll-related controls.
• Serve as the internal payroll systems resource, assisting with payroll software administration, troubleshooting, reporting, maintenance, and process enhancements.
• Supervise, mentor, and review the work of a Payroll Associate while ensuring accuracy, accountability, and strong service levels.
• Independently manage recurring weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual payroll obligations, deadlines, and compliance requirements.

Qualifications

• 7-10 years of progressive payroll experience, including at least 3 years of payroll leadership or people management experience.
• Strong experience with ADP and/or other enterprise payroll platforms, including system administration, reporting, configuration, troubleshooting, and payroll maintenance.
• Proven experience managing multi-state payroll operations, preferably supporting employees across numerous jurisdictions.
• Hands-on experience with union payroll, collective bargaining agreements, certified payroll reporting, and prevailing wage compliance.
• Strong understanding of U.S. payroll regulations, including FLSA, multi-state taxation, paid leave programs, wage and hour compliance, and changing state payroll requirements.
• Intermediate-to-advanced Excel skills, including Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP functions, data analysis, reconciliations, and reporting.
• Demonstrated experience identifying discrepancies, conducting payroll audits, analyzing large datasets, and ensuring payroll accuracy.
• Proven ability to work independently, prioritize competing deadlines, and proactively manage payroll operations with minimal supervision.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.