Payroll Manager

LHH; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

LHH in Pittsburgh is seeking a Payroll Manager to oversee multi-state payroll operations, ensuring accurate and timely processing across states using Workday Payroll.

This role leads payroll controls, audits, and reporting, partnering with HR, Finance and Benefits, mentoring the payroll team, and driving process improvements.

Ideal candidate has 5+ years of progressive payroll experience and strong knowledge of federal, state, local regulations and W-2 processing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, HR, or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience.
• Experience with multi-state payroll.
• Strong Excel and data analysis skills.
• Ability to manage confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end payroll processing for employees across multiple states.
• Oversee Workday Payroll configuration, testing, and issue resolution.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Review payroll calculations, changes, earnings, deductions, and year-end processing.
• Manage year-end W-2 processing and reconciliation.
• Develop and maintain payroll policies and controls.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, and Benefits to resolve inquiries.
• Mentor payroll team and escalate complex issues.
• Coordinate with vendors as needed.
• Support internal/external audits and provide payroll documentation.

Skills

Payroll processing

Multi-state payroll

Workday Payroll

Payroll compliance

Audits & reporting

Excel

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

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

Tools

Workday Payroll

Job description

The Payroll Manager is responsible for overseeing the accurate, timely, and compliant processing of multi-state payroll while leading payroll operations, controls, reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives. This individual will serve as the subject matter expert for payroll administration and will have hands-on experience utilizing Workday Payroll in a complex, multi-state environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee end-to-end payroll processing for employees across multiple states, ensuring payroll is accurate, timely, and compliant.
• Manage payroll activities within Workday Payroll, including payroll processing, audits, reporting, system configuration support, testing, and issue resolution.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations, including wage and hour requirements, payroll tax withholding, garnishments, deductions, and other statutory requirements.
• Review payroll calculations, employee changes, earnings, deductions, bonuses, commissions, benefit deductions, and other compensation-related transactions.
• Manage multi-state payroll tax compliance, including employee taxation, state and local withholding requirements, registrations, reconciliations, and year-end reporting.
• Oversee payroll reconciliations, general ledger activity, payroll funding, tax filings, and month-end and year-end payroll processes.
• Manage year-end payroll activities, including W-2 processing and reconciliation.
• Maintain strong payroll controls and documentation while identifying opportunities to improve accuracy, efficiency, and automation.
• Develop, document, and maintain payroll policies, procedures, workflows, and internal controls.
• Partner closely with HR, Finance, Accounting, Benefits, and other internal teams to resolve payroll-related questions and discrepancies.
• Coordinate with third-party payroll, tax, banking, and benefits vendors as necessary.
• Support internal and external audits and provide payroll documentation, reconciliations, and reporting.
• Monitor payroll-related regulatory changes and ensure processes remain compliant across all applicable jurisdictions.
• Lead, develop, and mentor payroll team members while establishing clear processes, responsibilities, and performance expectations.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for escalated payroll questions and complex payroll issues.
• Participate in Workday enhancements, upgrades, testing, integrations, and payroll process-improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience, including experience managing or leading payroll operations.
• Strong hands-on experience processing and managing multi-state payroll.
• Workday Payroll experience strongly preferred or required.
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll regulations and payroll tax requirements.
• Experience with payroll reconciliations, GL reporting, tax filings, W-2s, garnishments, deductions, and year-end processing.
• Previous experience managing or mentoring payroll professionals preferred.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including experience working with payroll reports, reconciliations, and large data sets.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to handle confidential employee and compensation information appropriately.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to partner effectively across HR, Accounting, Finance, Benefits, and senior leadership.

Compliance & Equal Opportunity Statement

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements.