Payroll Manager

Sunstates Security; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 81,000 - 99,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401k with company match

Generous PTO

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Sunstates Security, based in Raleigh, NC, is seeking a skilled Payroll Manager to lead day-to-day payroll operations across multiple states. You will ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing while collaborating with Human Resources, Finance, Operations, and Field Leadership to maintain payroll integrity. The position offers a salary of $90,000, plus full medical, dental, vision and life insurance, a 401(k) with company match, generous PTO, tuition assistance, and other benefits.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in multi-state payroll, high-volume workforce; 5,000+ employees preferred.
• Experience leading daily payroll ops; supervising payroll staff preferred.
• Strong knowledge of payroll tax/compliance (fed/state/local).
• Experience with certified payroll reporting and prevailing wage.
• Ability to manage complex payroll scenarios (commissions, bonuses, deductions, etc.).
• Strong analytical and detail-oriented skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication across departments.
• Handle confidential payroll data professionally.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and actively support weekly payroll processing and same-day cycles.
• Manage payroll updates related to contract changes, wage determinations, prevailing wage requirements, and employee eligibility or status changes.
• Process payroll corrections, off-cycle payments, adjustments, and other special payroll transactions.
• Manage miscellaneous payroll reporting and special payroll requests.
• Ensure payroll is processed accurately and timely across multiple states, contracts, jurisdictions, and employee populations.
• Manage payroll onboarding and offboarding for salaried and hourly employees.
• Oversee payroll proration, deductions and compensation changes.
• Maintain PTO programs and support statutory PTO administration.
• Ensure employee payroll records are accurately established, maintained, and updated throughout the employee lifecycle.
• Execute and oversee certified payroll processing and reporting, including DCAS and WH-347.
• Import, review, and maintain prevailing wage and wage determination data.
• Process complex compensation arrangements, including commissions and bonuses and, when applicable, NQDC-related payroll.
• Maintain payroll tax setup and configuration within ADP portal.
• Execute payroll control reports, reconciliations, and variance analyses.
• Perform payroll data audits and validate payroll master data for accuracy and completeness.
• Identify discrepancies and coordinate timely payroll corrections.
• Maintain appropriate payroll system access controls and security protocols.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen payroll accuracy, efficiency, and operational consistency.
• Supervise two payroll staff members and oversee daily payroll team operations.
• Manage workload distribution, priorities, deadlines, and coverage planning.
• Cross-train, coach, and develop payroll team members.
• Monitor team performance and ensure established payroll procedures and controls are consistently followed.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for payroll inquiries, discrepancies, and operational issues.
• Document processes and maintain SOPs for critical payroll functions.

Skills

Payroll leadership

Multistate payroll

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Team supervision

Tools

ADP Portal

Job description

Become part of one of the largest and fastest-growing privately held security companies in the U.S! Since 1998, Sunstates Security has built a national reputation for delivering exceptional services while fostering high-quality work environments for our team. We are dedicated to hiring, developing, and retaining a professional workforce that reflects our commitment to excellence.

We believe in strategic reinvestment in our people by offering a benefits package that exceeds industry standards, pathways for career advancement, extensive internal training, and employee recognition programs. Our team members are provided with the tools, knowledge, and hands-on management support necessary for long-term success.

Our commitment to a superior workplace culture is reflected in our most recent national accolades. Sunstates Security is proud to be recognized as a 2026 Forbes Dream Employer, an honor based on independent employee feedback and workplace excellence. Additionally, we have been named a 2026 Training MVP by Training Magazine, marking the third consecutive year we have accepted this prestigious recognition. We also continue to be celebrated for our steady growth and stability on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies.

At the heart of everything we do are our core values of honor, integrity, and trust. If you are searching for a rewarding career with a proactive security partner that protects some of the country’s leading organizations, we invite you to explore the possibilities at Sunstates Security. Join a successful, growing team where your talent is appreciated and have opportunities to advance your professional career.

Sunstates Security is hiring a Payroll Manager to be based at our corporate headquarters in Raleigh, NC. The Payroll Manager is responsible for leading the day-to-day payroll operations and execution for Sunstates Security, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing across the organization. This role oversees payroll processing, onboarding, certified payroll, controls, and payroll team operations, serving as the primary operational leader of the payroll function.

The Payroll Manager executes the payroll strategy established by the Director of Payroll and ensures consistent, high-quality payroll delivery across all employee populations, contracts, and jurisdictions. This position works closely with Human Resources, Finance, Operations, and Field Leadership to maintain payroll accuracy, resolve issues, support contractual and regulatory requirements, and continuously improve payroll processes.

This position offers a salary of $90,000.00 along with competitive benefits including full medical, dental, vision and life insurance coverage, a 401k plan with company match, generous PTO, tuition assistance and more!

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Payroll Operations & Execution

• Oversee and actively support weekly payroll processing and same-day cycles.
• Manage payroll updates related to contract changes, wage determinations, prevailing wage requirements, and employee eligibility or status changes.
• Process payroll corrections, off-cycle payments, adjustments, and other special payroll transactions.
• Manage miscellaneous payroll reporting and special payroll requests.
• Ensure payroll is processed accurately and timely across multiple states, contracts, jurisdictions, and employee populations.

Employee Lifecycle Payroll Management:

• Manage payroll onboarding and offboarding for salaried and hourly employees.
• Oversee payroll proration, deductions and compensation changes
• Maintain PTO programs and support statutory PTO administration.
• Ensure employee payroll records are accurately established, maintained, and updated throughout the employee lifecycle.

Compliance Operations & Reporting:

• Execute and oversee certified payroll processing and reporting, including required reports such as DCAS and WH-347.
• Import, review, and maintain prevailing wage and wage determination data.
• Process complex compensation arrangements, including commissions and bonuses and, when applicable, NQDC-related payroll.
• Maintain payroll tax setup and configuration within ADP portal.

Audit, Controls & Accuracy:

• Execute payroll control reports, reconciliations, and variance analyses.
• Perform payroll data audits and validate payroll master data for accuracy and completeness.
• Identify discrepancies and coordinate timely payroll corrections.
• Maintain appropriate payroll system access controls and security protocols.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen payroll accuracy, efficiency, and operational consistency.
• Supervise two payroll staff members and oversee daily payroll team operations.
• Manage workload distribution, priorities, deadlines, and coverage planning.
• Cross-train, coach, and develop payroll team members.
• Monitor team performance and ensure established payroll procedures and controls are consistently followed.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for payroll inquiries, discrepancies, and operational issues.
• Document processes and maintain SOPs for critical payroll functions.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience in a multi-state environment, preferably within a high-volume, high-turnover organization supporting a large hourly workforce; experience supporting payroll for 5,000+ employees strongly preferred.
• Proven experience leading day-to-day payroll operations; experience managing or supervising a payroll team is strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax, wage and hour, and payroll compliance requirements.
• Experience with certified payroll reporting and prevailing wage requirements strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex payroll scenarios, including commissions, bonuses, deductions, wage determinations, prevailing wages, final pay, and payroll adjustments.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments and levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential payroll information with professionalism and discretion.

Additional Information

The responsibilities and qualifications outlined above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the Payroll Manager and are not intended to be an exhaustive list. Responsibilities may be modified or expanded based on organizational and business needs.

Sunstates Security is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.