Payroll Manager

Leonard Workforce Solutions; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive medical, dental, life, and disability insurance

ESOP and 401(k) immediate participation

Opportunities for professional impact

Disability insurance

Job summary

A growing defense company in Tucson is seeking a Payroll Manager to lead payroll operations. This role involves managing bi-weekly payroll for multi-state employees, ensuring compliance with tax regulations, and collaborating with HR and Finance departments. The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years of payroll experience, including 2 years in a managerial position, along with hands-on experience with ADP systems and knowledge of compliance laws. Join a collaborative, employee-owned organization with strong growth potential.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of payroll experience, with at least 2 years in a managerial role.
• Hands-on experience with ADP payroll systems required.
• Strong understanding of multi-state payroll and compliance laws.
• General accounting and GL experience.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage bi-weekly payroll processing for a multi-state workforce.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable wage and hour laws.
• Administer payroll-related benefits and retirement plans.
• Coordinate payroll interfaces with HR and Finance systems and ensure accurate General Ledger (GL) postings.
• Prepare and file payroll tax forms and regulatory filings as required.
• Support payroll audits and maintain strong internal controls.
• Identify and implement process improvements and automation opportunities.
• Provide reporting and analytics to leadership as needed.

Skills

Payroll compliance knowledge

ADP payroll systems experience

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Communication skills

Tools

Deltek Costpoint

Deltek Time & Expense

Job description

Leonard Workforce Solutions is conducting a confidential search for a highly qualified Payroll Manager on behalf of a growing defense and technology focused organization headquartered in Tucson, Arizona.

This is a critical leadership role that will own and lead all aspects of payroll operations to ensure accurate, compliant, and timely processing across a multi-state workforce. The Payroll Manager partners closely with Human Resources, Finance, and leadership to support payroll excellence and organizational objectives.

About the Organization

This organization is a dynamic, employee-owned company with deep expertise in engineering and technology solutions for government and national security programs. With a collaborative culture and a long history of innovation and growth, the company offers strong benefits and significant opportunities for professional impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end processing of bi-weekly payroll for all employees, including wage calculations, deductions, and tax withholdings.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour laws, tax regulations, and reporting requirements.
• Administer and reconcile payroll-related benefits and retirement plans, including ESOP and 401(k) plans.
• Coordinate payroll interfaces with HR and Finance systems and ensure accurate General Ledger (GL) postings.
• Prepare and file payroll tax forms and regulatory filings as required.
• Support payroll audits and maintain strong internal controls.
• Identify and implement process improvements and automation opportunities.
• Provide reporting and analytics to leadership as needed.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of payroll experience, including at least 2 years in a lead or manager role.
• Hands‑on experience with ADP payroll systems.
• Strong knowledge of payroll compliance, multi‑state payroll, and wage & hour laws.
• General accounting and GL experience.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a government contracting environment.
• Experience with Deltek Costpoint payroll and labor modules.
• Experience with Deltek Time & Expense.
• Experience supporting employees in multiple states and international locations.
• Payroll certification (CPP or similar).

The table below outlines details regarding the work environment and the opportunities this role provides.

Onsite role based at Tucson, AZ headquarters. Close collaboration with HR, Finance, and leadership teams. Opportunity to influence payroll strategy and operational excellence.

Compensation & Culture

Join a respected employee-owned organization with a collaborative culture.

Retirement & Insurance

Immediate participation and vesting in the company’s ESOP and 401(k) plans. Competitive benefits including employer-paid medical, dental, life, and disability insurance.

Growth Potential

Strong opportunity to lead and improve payroll processes within a growth oriented company.