Senior Payroll Manager

Conexus; California (MO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Conexus seeks an experienced Senior Manager or Director to lead the payroll function for ≈1,500 employees across multiple states. You will head a team of four direct reports, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing using Workday.

You will collaborate with HR, Finance, and IT to optimize payroll operations, stay compliant with state laws, and drive process improvements in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of payroll management experience, including at least 3 years in a leadership or director-level role.
• Strong experience with Workday Payroll is required.
• Comprehensive knowledge of payroll systems, processes, and best practices.
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to motivate, manage, and develop a team of professionals.
• Expertise in payroll laws, regulations, and compliance requirements across multiple states.
• Experience with multi-state payroll processing for a large number of employees (1,000+).
• Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• A Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, HR, or a related field is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the payroll department, overseeing the payroll processing for 1,500 employees across multiple states.
• Ensure accurate and timely payroll processing, including wages, benefits, taxes, deductions, and other compensation elements.
• Collaborate with HR and other departments to ensure smooth operations.
• Supervise and mentor four direct reports.
• Leverage Workday to optimize payroll processes.
• Review and reconcile payroll data, identify discrepancies, resolve issues promptly.
• Stay current on payroll laws and regulations across all states.
• Prepare and maintain payroll-related reports, timely submission.
• Manage year-end payroll processes including W-2s and audits.
• Work with HR, Finance, IT to improve payroll operations and automation.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Workday Payroll

Job description

Our client is seeking an experienced and highly skilled Senior Manager OR Director to lead our payroll department. This individual will play a pivotal role in overseeing the payroll function for approximately 1,500 employees across states. As the Head of Payroll, you will be responsible for ensuring the accurate, timely, and compliant processing of payroll, while also managing a team of four direct reports. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with strong leadership skills, a deep understanding of payroll systems, and extensive experience with Workday.

Job Duties

• Lead and manage the payroll department, overseeing the payroll processing for 1,500 employees across multiple states.
• Ensure accurate and timely payroll processing, including the proper calculation of wages, benefits, taxes, deductions, and other compensation elements.
• Collaborate closely with the Head of Human Resources and other departments to ensure smooth operations across the organization.
• Supervise, mentor, and provide guidance to four direct reports, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement within the payroll team.
• Leverage Workday to ensure all payroll processes are optimized, accurate, and aligned with company needs.
• Review and reconcile payroll data, identify discrepancies, and work to resolve issues in a timely manner.
• Stay current on all payroll-related laws, regulations, and trends across all states where employees are located.
• Prepare and maintain payroll-related reports, ensuring they are accurate, complete, and submitted in a timely manner.
• Manage year-end payroll processes, including preparation of W-2 forms, annual audits, and compliance reporting.
• Work with cross-functional teams such as HR, Finance, and IT to continuously improve payroll operations, automation, and efficiency.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of payroll management experience, including at least 3 years in a leadership or director-level role.
• Strong experience with Workday Payroll is required.
• Comprehensive knowledge of payroll systems, processes, and best practices.
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to motivate, manage, and develop a team of professionals.
• Expertise in payroll laws, regulations, and compliance requirements across multiple states.
• Experience with multi-state payroll processing for a large number of employees (1,000+).
• Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• A Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, HR, or a related field is preferred.