Payroll Manager

Seneca Resources; United States; On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Seneca Resources is seeking a Manager, Payroll Operations to lead multi-state payroll for a complex healthcare organization. You will ensure accurate, timely processing, regulatory compliance, audits, and process improvements while partnering with HR, Finance, and IT.

This leadership role emphasizes developing the Payroll Operations team, standardizing controls, and driving automation and system enhancements, including integrations for mergers, acquisitions, and transformations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years of progressive payroll experience including operations, compliance, tax reporting, and year-end processing.
• 3+ years of leadership experience managing payroll teams and operations.
• Experience in a multi-state environment and with payroll system implementations/upgrades.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end payroll operations for a multi-state workforce, ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing.

Skills

Payroll operations

Regulatory compliance

Leadership

Multi-state payroll

Process improvement

Systems knowledge

Stakeholder communication

Change management

Auditing

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

CPP certification preferred

Job description

Direct Reports: Tax and Garnishment Lead, Sr. Payroll Analyst, Payroll Analyst (US and India)

Overview

The Manager, Payroll Operations is responsible for leading payroll operations and ensuring the accurate, timely, and compliant processing of payroll across a complex, multi-state healthcare organization. This role oversees payroll administration, compliance, audit readiness, process optimization, and team leadership while partnering closely with Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, HR Technology, and operational leaders.

The Manager serves as a subject matter expert in payroll operations, regulatory compliance, payroll systems, and process governance. This position is responsible for driving operational excellence, enhancing teammate experience, mitigating compliance risk, and supporting enterprise initiatives, including system implementations, process improvements, acquisitions, integrations, and organizational transformation efforts.

Accountabilities / Responsibilities

Payroll Operations & Compliance

Lead end-to-end payroll operations for a multi-state workforce, ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing.

Establish and maintain controls that ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations.

Review and approve payroll results, auditing payroll output for accuracy and resolution of identified exceptions.

Oversee payment processing including regular payroll, supplemental payments, off-cycle payrolls, bonuses, incentive payments, and special earnings programs.

Ensure compliance with wage and hour regulations, tax requirements, garnishment processing, leave payments, and benefit deductions.

Direct year-end payroll activities, including W-2 processing, payroll reconciliations, and required governmental reporting.

Partner with internal auditors in support of payroll-related audits and compliance reviews.

Leadership & Talent Development

Lead, coach, and develop Payroll Operations team members through performance management, career development, and continuous learning opportunities.

Establish team goals, performance metrics, and accountability standards aligned with organizational objectives.

Foster a culture of service excellence, collaboration, operational discipline, and continuous improvement.

Provide guidance and support for complex payroll issues and escalations.

Process Improvement & Operational Excellence

Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, controls, service delivery, and teammate experience.

Develop and maintain payroll policies, procedures, and standard operating documentation.

Drive process standardization and automation initiatives including AI capabilities to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.

Monitor payroll performance metrics and implement corrective actions as needed.

Systems & Technology

Serve as a key stakeholder for payroll system administration, configuration, testing, and optimization activities.

Partner with HR Technology and Information Technology teams to support payroll-related system enhancements, integrations, upgrades, and implementations.

Lead payroll requirements gathering, user acceptance testing, change management, and post-implementation support activities.

Ensure integrity of payroll data across HR, payroll, benefits, timekeeping, and financial systems.

Cross-Functional Partnership

Collaborate closely with Human Resources, Benefits, Compensation, Finance, Accounting, Legal, and operational leaders to resolve complex payroll matters.

Support mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and organizational integration activities related to payroll operations.

Provide payroll expertise and reporting support for enterprise initiatives and strategic projects.

Communicate effectively with leaders and stakeholders regarding payroll operational performance, risks, and opportunities.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field, or equivalent experience.

7+ years of progressive payroll experience, including payroll operations, compliance, tax reporting, year-end processing, and payroll audits.

3+ years of leadership experience managing payroll teams and operations.

Experience managing payroll in a multi-state environment.

Experience supporting payroll system implementations, upgrades, or large-scale process improvement initiatives.

Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations, including wage and hour compliance, garnishments, payroll taxation, and payroll accounting principles.

Demonstrated ability to lead teams through change in a fast-paced environment with strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.

Preferred: Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification; experience in healthcare or large distributed workforces; experience with UKG Pro, Oracle HCM, or comparable enterprise payroll/HCM platforms; experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, integrations, or organizational transformation initiatives.