Payroll Manager

Nortia Staffing - Human Resources, Accounting and Administrative Staffing; Redwood City (CA); Hybrid; USD 99,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Hybrid work schedule

Salary up to $165,000

Job summary

Nortia Staffing seeks an experienced Payroll Manager to lead U.S. payroll operations in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. The role oversees full-cycle payroll, tax reporting, and team development while ensuring accuracy and compliance.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in payroll, 3+ in leadership, and hands-on ADP Workforce Now experience, with strong SOX and multi-state knowledge. The position offers a hybrid schedule in Redwood City, CA and relocation assistance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field.
• 10+ years of payroll experience, including 3+ years in a leadership role.
• Experience managing payroll in a public company with strong SOX compliance knowledge.
• Hands-on experience with ADP Workforce Now.
• Strong knowledge of payroll tax regulations and employment compliance.

Responsibilities

• Manage full-cycle U.S. payroll processing, including semi-monthly, bonus, commission, equity, and off-cycle payroll.
• Oversee payroll for equity compensation (RSUs, ISOs, Non-Qualified Stock Options, ESPP) and ensure accurate tax reporting.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of payroll professionals.
• Manage quarter-end and year-end payroll activities, including tax filings and W-2 processing.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations, SOX requirements, and audit controls.
• Serve as the payroll system expert, maintaining data integrity and supporting system integrations.
• Partner with HR, Finance, Tax, Benefits, Compensation, and Accounting teams to resolve payroll issues and improve processes.
• Drive payroll process improvements and serve as the escalation point for complex payroll matters.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organizational skills

Project management

Payroll expertise

SOX compliance

Regulatory knowledge

Confidentiality

Education

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

Tools

ADP Workforce Now

Job description

We're supporting our client in the search for an experienced Payroll Manager to lead U.S. payroll operations in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. This role is responsible for ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing while leading a team and partnering cross-functionally to improve payroll operations.

Highlights

• Hybrid schedule: 4 days onsite, 1 day remote (Redwood City, CA location)
• Salary: DOE, up to $165,000
• Relocation assistance available
• Pharmaceutical industry experience preferred, but not required
• International Payroll experience is preferred but not required
• Multi-state Payroll experience is required

Key Responsibilities

• Manage full-cycle U.S. payroll processing, including semi-monthly, bonus, commission, equity, and off-cycle payroll.
• Oversee payroll for equity compensation (RSUs, ISOs, Non-Qualified Stock Options, ESPP) and ensure accurate tax reporting.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of payroll professionals.
• Manage quarter-end and year-end payroll activities, including tax filings and W-2 processing.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations, SOX requirements, and audit controls.
• Serve as the payroll system expert, maintaining data integrity and supporting system integrations.
• Partner with HR, Finance, Tax, Benefits, Compensation, and Accounting teams to resolve payroll issues and improve processes.
• Drive payroll process improvements and serve as the escalation point for complex payroll matters.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or a related field.
• 10+ years of payroll experience, including 3+ years in a leadership role.
• Experience managing payroll in a public company environment with strong knowledge of SOX compliance and audits.
• Hands‑on experience with ADP Workforce Now.
• Strong knowledge of payroll tax regulations and employment compliance.
• Excellent leadership, communication, organizational, and project management skills.
• Ability to manage confidential information with exceptional attention to detail.