Senior Manager Payroll

JetBlue; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

JetBlue is seeking a Senior Manager, Payroll to provide strategic leadership for end-to-end payroll operations, ensuring accurate, timely pay, regulatory compliance, and strong governance of internal and outsourced payroll services.

The role focuses on driving transformation, managing an expert payroll team across locations, and partnering with cross-functional teams to implement programs while maintaining SOX controls and high service levels.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or related field.
• Six (6) years of progressive payroll experience with five (5) years of management experience.
• Knowledge of US federal, state, and local payroll tax laws.
• Experience with payroll system implementations or upgrades.
• Strong analytical and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end payroll operations for 20,000+ employees with weekly and semi-monthly cycles.
• Govern outsourced payroll provider; manage SLAs, KPIs, controls and escalations.
• Collaborate with People, Benefits, Labor Relations, Finance, Tax, IT on payroll impacts of programs and changes.
• Drive payroll transformation with automation, standardization and improved controls.
• Develop and lead a multi-location payroll team; foster collaboration and growth.
• Resolve significant payroll incidents and implement sustainable corrective actions.

Skills

Payroll experience

Management experience

US payroll tax knowledge

SOX/compliance

Analytical skills

Project management

MS Office

Communication skills

Travel readiness

Background check/drug test

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance or related field

High School Diploma/GED + 4 years experience

Tools

SAP Payroll

UKG Dimensions

ADP

Job description

Position Title: Senior Manager, Payroll (OSC)

Position Summary

The Senior Manager, Payroll provides strategic and operational leadership for JetBlue’s end-to-end payroll operations function, ensuring accurate and timely pay, a strong and sustainable control environment, regulatory compliance, and effective governance of internal and outsourced payroll operations. The role is accountable for payroll service delivery, controls, managed service business partner performance, issue management, process transformation and the successful implementation of business and technology changes impacting payroll. This crucial role demands outstanding collaboration and communication skills and a commitment to delivering excellent customer service to internal customers.

Essential Responsibilities

• Drive operational excellence in payroll execution ensuring the timely processing of weekly and semi-monthly payrolls for over 20,000 employees, guaranteeing accuracy and addressing any issues promptly
• Provide governance and oversight of an outsourced payroll service provider, establishing and monitoring SLAs, KPIs, quality standards, controls and escalation protocols.
• Partner proactively with People, Benefits, Labor Relations, Finance, Tax, IT and operational teams to assess payroll impacts associated with new programs, collective bargaining agreements, incentive programs, policy changes and other business initiatives.
• Lead the payroll transformation and continuous-improvement roadmap, identifying opportunities for automation, standardization, simplification and improved controls.
• Lead, develop and engage a high-performing payroll team, across multiple locations, establishing clear expectations and accountability while fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement and professional growth.
• Lead the resolution of significant payroll incidents, including overpayments, underpayments, missed payments, system failures and processing errors; ensure root causes are identified and sustainable corrective actions are implemented.
• Establish and maintain a robust payroll risk and control framework, including payroll validation, exception monitoring, reconciliations and ensuring compliance with SOX requirements.
• Establish governance for business and system changes impacting payroll, ensuring appropriate requirements, testing, controls, approvals, implementation readiness and post-production validation.
• Manage relationships with third-party international payroll providers
• Ensure correct taxation of payroll and timely filings with appropriate government authorities
• Manage a high degree of change in a fast paced, complex and demanding environment
• Take a significant role in the development of crewmembers to support their engagement, growth, and goal achievement
• Ad hoc projects, reporting and analysis as requested
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Experience And Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field; OR demonstrated capability to perform job responsibilities with a combination of a High School Diploma/GED and at least four (4) years of previous relevant work experience
• Six (6) years of progressive payroll experience, with five (5) years of management experience
• Strong knowledge of payroll complexities, statutory requirements and best practices
• Current knowledge of US federal, state, and local payroll tax laws and regulations
• Proven track record of successful payroll related system implementations, upgrades and/or integrations
• Exceptional analytical capabilities, with a keen eye for detail, coupled with strong problem solving and project management skills
• Ability to thrive and deliver results in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Available for overnight travel (10%)
• Must pass a ten (10) year background check and pre-employment drug test
• Must be legally eligible to work in the country in which the position is located
• Authorization to work in the US is required. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship

Preferred Experience And Qualifications

• Experience with large-scale, multi-state payroll as well as outsourced or managed-service payroll models.
• Experience with SAP Payroll and UKG Dimensions time management systems
• Certified Professional Payroll Certification (CPP)
• Automatic Data Processing (ADP) tax provider experience
• Previous airline industry experience

Crewmember Expectations

• Regular attendance and punctuality
• Potential need to work flexible hours and be available to respond on short-notice
• Able to maintain a professional appearance
• When working or traveling on JetBlue flights, and if time permits, all capable crewmembers are asked to assist with light cleaning of the aircraft
• Must be an appropriate organizational fit for the JetBlue culture, that is, exhibit the JetBlue values of Safety, Caring, Integrity, Passion and Fun
• Must fulfill safety accountabilities as prescribed by JetBlue’s Safety Management System
• Promote JetBlue’s #1 value of safety as a Safety Ambassador, supporting JetBlue’s Safety Management System (SMS) components, Safety Policy, and behavioral standards
• Identify safety and/or security concerns, issues, incidents or hazards that should be reported and report them whenever possible and by any means necessary including JetBlue’s confidential reporting systems (Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) and Safety Action Report (SAR))
• Responsible for adhering to all applicable laws, regulations (FAA, OSHA, DOT, etc.) and Company policies, procedures and risk controls
• Uphold JetBlue’s safety performance metric goals and understand how they relate to their duties and responsibilities
• The use of ChatGPT or any other automated tool during the interview process will disqualify a candidate from being considered for the position

Equipment

• Computer and other office equipment

Work Environment

• Traditional office environment

Physical Effort

• Generally not required, or up to 10 pounds occasionally, 0 pounds frequently (Sedentary)