Payroll Manager, Reporting & Analytics

LHH; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 162,000 - 198,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, vision and dental insurance

401(k) plan

Commuter and cell phone allowance

Paid holidays

PTO

Job summary

A stable and mission-driven organization is seeking a Payroll Manager, Reporting & Analytics in San Francisco to lead payroll operations while ensuring accuracy and compliance. In this role, you will develop insights into labor costs, oversee full-cycle payroll processing, and collaborate with HR and Finance for labor forecasting. Ideal candidates have 5–8+ years of payroll experience, strong reporting skills, and a Bachelor's in a related field. The position offers a hybrid work schedule with competitive benefits including medical and 401(k).

Qualifications

• 5–8+ years of payroll experience with strong analytical or reporting exposure.
• In-depth knowledge of California and San Francisco payroll regulations.
• Strong judgment, discretion, and ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive payroll data.

Responsibilities

• Lead full-cycle payroll processing for exempt and non-exempt employees.
• Develop and maintain payroll reporting, dashboards, and analytics for leadership.
• Evaluate current payroll workflows and implement enhancements.

Skills

Data analysis

Payroll processing

Problem-solving

Reporting

Attention to detail

Education

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

Tools

ADP

Paylocity

Gusto

Paycor

Excel

Job description

We are seeking a Payroll Manager, Reporting & Analytics to lead payroll operations while driving deeper insight into labor costs, workforce trends, and payroll‑related financial reporting for a stable and mission‑driven organization. This role is ideal for a payroll professional who enjoys both hands‑on execution and analytical problem‑solving—someone who can ensure accuracy and compliance while also delivering meaningful reporting, forecasting, and process improvements. The position is onsite in San Francisco three days per week and remote two days per week.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Operations & Compliance

• Lead full‑cycle payroll processing for exempt and non‑exempt employees.
• Ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with federal, California, and San Francisco payroll regulations.
• Oversee payroll data integrity, employee changes, deductions, garnishments, and benefits integrations.
• Manage payroll reconciliations, audits, and year‑end processes including W‑2s.
• Serve as the subject‑matter expert for payroll policies, tax updates, and compliance issues.

Reporting, Analytics & Workforce Insights

• Develop and maintain payroll reporting, dashboards, and analytics for leadership.
• Provide monthly labor‑cost variance analysis and insights to finance and department leaders.
• Analyze headcount trends, compensation changes, staffing scenarios, and workforce‑related budget impacts.
• Partner with HR and Finance to support labor forecasting and long‑range workforce planning.
• Produce data models to evaluate cost impacts of organizational initiatives, pay changes, and benefit updates.

Financial Operations Support (Payroll-Centric)

• Support month‑end close activities related to payroll entries, accruals, and labor cost reporting.
• Prepare audit schedules and analytical summaries for internal and external reviews.
• Contribute to cash‑flow projections related to payroll timing, benefits, and tax obligations.

Process Improvement & Systems

• Evaluate current payroll workflows and implement enhancements to increase accuracy, compliance, and efficiency.
• Strengthen controls over payroll data, reporting processes, and system integrations.
• Partner with internal teams to streamline cross‑functional processes between payroll, HR, and finance.
• Lead or support systems improvements, upgrades, or configuration changes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, HR, or related field.
• 5–8+ years of payroll experience with strong analytical or reporting exposure.
• In‑depth knowledge of California and San Francisco payroll regulations.
• Proficiency with payroll systems (ADP, Paylocity, Gusto, Paycor, or similar).
• Strong Excel and reporting skills.
• Highly organized, detail‑oriented, and comfortable operating independently in a high‑impact role.
• Strong judgment, discretion, and ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive payroll data.

What We Offer

• Competitive prorated salary up to $180k.
• Hybrid work schedule: three predictable onsite days and two remote days weekly.
• Opportunity to take ownership of payroll while shaping reporting, analytics, and workforce insights.
• Benefits include medical, vision and dental insurance, 401(k) plan, commuter and cell phone allowance, paid holidays, and PTO.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled