Senior Payroll Leader: Multi-State, System Owner

Equus Workforce Solutions; Louisville (KY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Equus Workforce Solutions is seeking a Senior Payroll Manager to oversee end-to-end payroll operations across multiple states and entities. You will serve as the subject-matter expert for our payroll system, driving configurations, integrations, and ongoing enhancements while partnering with HR, Finance, and external vendors.

You will lead multi-state payroll processing, ensure compliance with wage and hour laws, manage audits and year-end activities, and coach a team of payroll professionals to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, HR, or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive payroll experience across multiple states.
• Hands-on experience with major payroll systems (ADP, Ceridian, UKG).
• Experience with payroll implementations and system configuration.
• Strong payroll compliance knowledge and project management experience.
• Advanced Excel and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage full-cycle payroll processing for salaried, hourly, exempt, and non-exempt employees across multiple states and payroll schedules.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage-and-hour laws, tax regulations, garnishments, and reporting requirements.
• Review and approve payroll audits, variance analyses, off-cycle payrolls, and year-end activities (W-2s, corrections, amendments).
• Establish, document, and enforce payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Serve as the escalation point for complex payroll issues, including retroactive pay, corrections, tax discrepancies, and regulatory inquiries.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Analytical skills

Payroll compliance

Project management

Multi-state payroll experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, HR, or related field

Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)

Tools

ADP

Ceridian

UKG

Job description

Equus Workforce Solutions is seeking a Senior Payroll Manager to oversee end-to-end payroll operations across multiple states and entities. You will serve as the subject-matter expert for our payroll system, driving configurations, integrations, and ongoing enhancements while partnering with HR, Finance, and external vendors.

You will lead multi-state payroll processing, ensure compliance with wage and hour laws, manage audits and year-end activities, and coach a team of payroll professionals to