Payroll Manager

Phaxis; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Phaxis is seeking a Payroll Manager in New York, NY or Malvern, PA (Hybrid) to oversee payroll operations for a multi-state workforce. The role partners with HR, Finance, Technology, and Benefits to ensure seamless payroll processes across the employee lifecycle.

The successful candidate will manage payroll accuracy, tax compliance, payroll governance, and continuous process improvements, while leading payroll staff and collaborating with cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Accounting, Business or related field.
• 5+ years leading payroll operations in a multi-state environment.
• Supervisory or people leadership experience.
• Strong understanding of payroll tax regulations, wage-and-hour requirements, and payroll compliance.
• Experience managing payroll within enterprise HRIS environments.

Responsibilities

• Direct all payroll processing activities for a geographically distributed workforce across multiple states.
• Ensure payroll is completed accurately, securely, and within established deadlines.
• Review payroll calculations including earnings, deductions, taxes, garnishments, bonuses, commissions, and final payments.
• Oversee payroll reconciliations and collaborate with Finance on payroll accounting activities.
• Supervise payroll staff and establish operational priorities.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local payroll regulations.
• Manage payroll tax filings, tax jurisdiction maintenance, amendments, and notice resolution.
• Oversee annual payroll reporting activities including year-end tax forms.
• Maintain payroll documentation and controls supporting audit and regulatory requirements.
• Manage payroll-related employee transactions within the HRIS and support enhancements.
• Maintain payroll data integrity across integrated systems.
• Coordinate payroll impacts with benefit programs and leave administration.
• Process taxable fringe benefits and payroll reporting.
• Support equity compensation payroll and stock purchase programs.

Skills

Payroll leadership

Multi-state payroll

HRIS experience

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR, Accounting, Business or related field

Tools

Workday Payroll

ADP SmartCompliance

Excel

Job description

Location: New York, NY or Malvern, PA (Hybrid)

Payroll Manager

Position Summary

The Payroll Manager will oversee payroll operations for a multi-state workforce while ensuring compliance, operational excellence, and exceptional internal service. This position is responsible for payroll accuracy, tax compliance, payroll governance, and continuous process improvement.

In addition to managing payroll operations, this leader will partner closely with HR, Finance, Technology, and Benefits teams to ensure payroll-related processes integrate effectively across the employee lifecycle.

Primary Responsibilities

Payroll Operations

• Direct all payroll processing activities for a geographically distributed workforce across multiple states.
• Ensure payroll is completed accurately, securely, and within established deadlines.
• Review payroll calculations including earnings, deductions, taxes, garnishments, bonuses, commissions, and final payments.
• Oversee payroll reconciliations and collaborate with Finance on payroll accounting activities.
• Supervise payroll staff and establish operational priorities.

Payroll Compliance

• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local payroll regulations.
• Manage payroll tax filings, tax jurisdiction maintenance, amendments, and notice resolution.
• Oversee annual payroll reporting activities including year-end tax forms.
• Maintain payroll documentation and controls supporting audit and regulatory requirements.

HRIS Administration

• Manage payroll-related employee transactions within the HRIS, including compensation updates, organizational changes, transfers, promotions, and other employment actions.
• Support ongoing HRIS enhancements, testing, and system implementations.
• Maintain payroll data integrity across integrated systems.

Benefits & Compensation Support

• Coordinate payroll impacts associated with employee benefit programs and leave administration.
• Process taxable fringe benefits and ensure proper payroll reporting.
• Support administration of equity compensation and employee stock purchase programs, including payroll tax withholding and vendor coordination.
• Partner with Compensation and Benefits teams on annual compensation cycles and related payroll activities.

Process Improvement

• Evaluate payroll workflows and recommend operational improvements.
• Develop standardized procedures, controls, and documentation.
• Leverage reporting and analytics to identify trends, improve efficiency, and reduce processing risk.
• Participate in cross-functional projects involving HR systems, payroll automation, and process optimization.

Partnership & Collaboration

• Serve as the primary payroll subject matter expert for HR, Finance, Technology, and other business partners.
• Provide guidance on payroll implications related to organizational changes, policy updates, and system enhancements.
• Support internal and external audit requests.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field.
• 5+ years leading payroll operations in a multi-state environment.
• Prior supervisory or people leadership experience.
• Strong understanding of payroll tax regulations, wage and hour requirements, and payroll compliance.
• Experience managing payroll within enterprise HRIS environments.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Demonstrated success managing competing priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively across multiple business functions.
• Commitment to accuracy, confidentiality, and continuous improvement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC).
• Experience with Workday Payroll and ADP SmartCompliance.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.