Senior Payroll Leader — Multi-State, Systems & Compliance

Milwaukee Succeeds; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 123,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k plan

Paid time off

Employee assistance program

Disability benefits

Life insurance

Learning & development

Job summary

Komatsu is seeking a Senior Manager, Payroll to lead a multi-state payroll team onsite in Chicago. You will drive accurate processing, compliance, and scalable processes while collaborating with HR, Finance, and Legal.

You will oversee system implementations, manage complex payroll transactions, and ensure audit readiness with strong internal controls. CPP and UKG Pro experience are highly valued.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field.
• 7+ years of progressive payroll experience, including leadership and team management responsibilities.
• Experience managing payroll operations for a large, multi-state organisation.
• Expertise with UKG Pro (UltiPro) or a comparable enterprise payroll platform; payroll system implementation experience is strongly preferred.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation is strongly preferred.
• Expert knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll laws, tax compliance, and reporting requirements.
• Strong leadership, analytical, and problem-solving skills with a track record of driving continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with the ability to influence stakeholders across the organisation.
• Ability to manage confidential information with professionalism and integrity.
• Experience leading cross‑functional projects and implementing scalable payroll processes.
• Willingness to travel up to 10% as needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop the payroll team responsible for timely and accurate multi-state payroll processing.
• Develop and execute payroll strategies that improve efficiency, automate processes, and support business growth.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations while maintaining strong internal controls and audit readiness.
• Partner with HR, Finance, Accounting, Legal, and business leaders to align payroll operations with organisational priorities.
• Manage relationships with third-party payroll providers, tax agencies, and system vendors to ensure exceptional service and compliance.
• Lead payroll system implementations, upgrades, integrations, and process improvement initiatives across payroll, HRIS, timekeeping, and financial systems.
• Oversee the accurate administration of complex payroll transactions, including bonuses, commissions, equity payments, retroactive pay, garnishments, and leave programmes.
• Monitor changes in payroll legislation and implement compliant policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Develop payroll metrics, reporting, and executive dashboards that provide actionable business insights.
• Serve as the escalation point for complex payroll issues and lead special HR and payroll projects as needed.

Skills

Leadership

Payroll management

Multi-state payroll

Regulatory compliance

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

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

Tools

UKG Pro (UltiPro)

Job description

Komatsu is seeking a Senior Manager, Payroll to lead a multi-state payroll team onsite in Chicago. You will drive accurate processing, compliance, and scalable processes while collaborating with HR, Finance, and Legal.

You will oversee system implementations, manage complex payroll transactions, and ensure audit readiness with strong internal controls. CPP and UKG Pro experience are highly valued.