Payroll Manager

LHH; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 126,000 - 154,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

90% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision

11 paid holidays, vacation & sick days

Free gym memberships

Tuition reimbursement

Professional development support

Job summary

A mission-driven nonprofit organization in San Francisco is seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to oversee payroll operations for 1,000 employees. The ideal candidate will have over 7 years of payroll expertise, including leadership experience and knowledge of California payroll laws. This hybrid role offers a salary up to $140,000, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to make a significant impact in the community.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of payroll experience, including 3+ years in a leadership capacity.
• Direct experience with UKG or Workday required.
• Strong understanding of California payroll laws and taxation.

Responsibilities

• Manage payroll for 1,000+ California-based employees.
• Oversee complex bonus processing.
• Ensure compliance with California payroll tax laws.

Skills

Payroll management

Process improvement

Compliance expertise

Team leadership

Adaptability

Education

CPP certification (or equivalent experience)

Tools

UKG

Workday

Job description

1 day ago Be among the first 25 applicants

This range is provided by LHH. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

NOW HIRING - Payroll Manager📍 Hybrid | San Francisco

About the Organization

A fast-growing, mission-driven nonprofit organization supporting foster youth and families across California is seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to help modernize and scale its payroll operations during a period of rapid expansion.

This is a chance to make a tangible impact by building structure, leading change, and improving processes that directly support a life-changing mission.

The Opportunity

This newly created leadership role oversees all day-to-day payroll operations for approximately 1,000 employees, including complex bonus and retention programs. You’ll supervise a small team (3–4 people) and partner closely with HR and Finance leadership to ensure payroll accuracy, compliance, and scalability as the organization transitions to UKG.

If you’re energized by growth, process improvement, and mission-driven work, this is your opportunity to make a real difference.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage bi-weekly and semi-monthly payroll for 1,000+ California-based employees.
• Oversee complex bonus processing, including new hire and retention bonuses paid across multiple intervals.
• Develop and document payroll processes, policies, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Ensure compliance with California payroll tax laws, 403B/457 plan administration, and internal audit standards.
• Lead, coach, and develop a small payroll team.
• Serve as a key partner in the upcoming UKG implementation, ensuring accurate setup, data migration, and training.
• Collaborate with HR and Finance to streamline workflows and improve data integrity between systems.

Ideal Candidate

• 7+ years of payroll experience, including 3+ years in a leadership capacity.
• CPP certification preferred (or equivalent experience).
• Direct experience with UKG or Workday required.
• Strong understanding of California payroll laws, taxation, and 403B/457 plans.
• Nonprofit or multi-entity payroll experience strongly preferred.
• Proven success building processes and leading teams through system or organizational change.
• Collaborative, adaptable, and detail-oriented.

💰 Salary up to $140,000

🎁 90% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision (Kaiser/Sutter options)

🌴 11 paid holidays, vacation & sick days, 2 diversity holidays, birthday off

💪 Free gym memberships, tuition reimbursement, and professional development support

Why Join?

You’ll be joining a purpose-driven, people-focused nonprofit organization that’s growing fast and making a lasting impact across California. If you’re a hands‑on payroll professional who thrives on improvement, compliance, and meaningful work - this is the role for you.

Apply today or message me directly to learn more!

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