Payroll Manager

Sayva Solutions; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Paid holidays

401k plan

Job summary

Sayva Solutions is seeking an experienced Payroll Manager in San Diego to lead a high-volume payroll function. This contract-to-hire role emphasizes team development, compliance with California labor laws, and process improvements.

The ideal candidate will have extensive payroll administration knowledge, experience in a leadership role, and excellent analytical skills. Sayva Solutions offers competitive benefits and opportunities for growth in a supportive work environment.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of payroll compliance and California payroll regulations.
• Proven experience in a leadership role overseeing payroll operations.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to build trust and credibility.

Responsibilities

• Lead operations of a high-volume payroll function supporting a complex workforce.
• Guide and manage a team of payroll professionals.
• Ensure payroll processes comply with California labor laws.

Skills

Payroll administration knowledge

California payroll regulations

Leadership and mentoring

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Job description

We are partnering with a large, respected organization seeking an experienced Payroll Manager for a contract-to-hire opportunity. This leadership role is ideal for a payroll professional who enjoys developing teams, driving process improvements, and ensuring accurate, compliant payroll operations in a complex, high-volume environment. The Payroll Manager will oversee a dedicated payroll team, serve as a key resource for payroll compliance and escalations, and help strengthen operational effectiveness across the department.

Initial Contract Engagement with Opportunity for Full-Time Conversion

Compensation

Please note this range is an estimate and actual pay may vary based on qualifications and experience.

Scope

• Lead the day-to-day operations of a high-volume payroll function supporting supporting a complex workforce environment.
• Provide guidance, coaching, and performance management to a payroll team consisting of payroll professionals and administrative support staff.
• Act as the primary point of contact for complex payroll matters, compliance questions, and exception-based scenarios.
• Ensure payroll processes align with California labor laws, wage and hour requirements, and organizational policies.
• Review existing workflows and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and overall service delivery.
• Foster a collaborative team environment by supporting employee development, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning.
• Partner with leadership and internal stakeholders to address payroll challenges and implement process enhancements.
• Monitor payroll operations to ensure timely and accurate processing while maintaining strong internal controls.
• Support special projects and strategic initiatives related to payroll operations and compliance.

Qualifications & Expertise

• Extensive knowledge of payroll administration, payroll compliance, and California payroll regulations.
• Proven experience in a Payroll Manager or similar leadership role overseeing payroll operations and staff.
• Demonstrated success supervising, mentoring, coaching, and developing payroll professionals in a hands‑on management capacity.
• Experience leading and developing payroll teams in a management capacity.
• Background supporting payroll operations for large organizations with employee populations of at least 1,000 individuals; experience in highly complex environments preferred.
• Strong understanding of payroll best practices, internal controls, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust and credibility across teams.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving capabilities with a focus on accuracy and process improvement.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver results in a fast‑paced environment.

About Sayva

Sayva Solutions is an accounting, finance, technology, business transformation and human resources professional services firm whose focus is on long term relationships created through teamwork and doing what is in the best interest of others. Our consultants are valued team members from the start and supported through every project. We offer competitive compensation and benefits—including medical, dental, vision, paid holidays, and 401k. We support career growth through meaningful project work, new skill development, consistent updates, and smooth transitions between opportunities. Contact us to become a part of the Sayva team!