Senior Payroll Manager

Pacific Staffing; Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

Pacific Staffing seeks a Senior Payroll Manager to oversee the full payroll lifecycle for a 1,000+ employee organization in Sacramento, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficient operations.

You will lead and develop a high-performing payroll team, collaborate with senior leadership and HR, and drive process improvements while managing regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or business administration required.
• Professional payroll certification preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading and managing payroll operations.
• Deep knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll regulations.
• Proficiency with payroll systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead and ensure timely, accurate processing of all payroll activities, including salaries, benefits, commissions, taxes, and deductions.
• Maintain full compliance with federal, state, and local wage, hour, and payroll regulations.
• Oversee the integrity and accuracy of payroll records and documentation.
• Verify precise calculation of wages, tax withholdings, deductions, and employee benefits.
• Manage year-end payroll activities, including W-2 preparation and distribution.
• Prepare, review, and interpret payroll reports to support financial and operational decision-making.
• Supervise, coach, and develop payroll team members, providing ongoing guidance and support.
• Partner closely with HR to ensure accurate processing of employee data changes, new hires, terminations, and promotions.
• Conduct performance evaluations for payroll staff and deliver constructive feedback.
• Oversee payroll reconciliations, reporting, and adherence to all regulatory requirements.
• Support internal and external audits and uphold strong internal controls.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with HR, Finance, and other departments to ensure seamless payroll operations.

Skills

Payroll management

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Analytical skills

Communication

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or business administration

Tools

Payroll systems

Job description

We are recruiting for a Senior Payroll Manager to join a reputable, industry‑leading organization in Sacramento. This role oversees the full payroll lifecycle, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficient financial operations, while also leading and developing a high‑performing payroll team.

The ideal candidate brings 5+ years of experience managing high‑volume, in‑house payroll for 1,000+ employees, strong technical expertise, and the ability to partner effectively with senior leadership.

• Salary: $135,000-$155,000 DOE + bonus
• Mostly onsite in Sacramento – 4 days a week, with potential 1 day remote

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead and ensure timely, accurate processing of all payroll activities, including salaries, benefits, commissions, taxes, and deductions.
• Maintain full compliance with federal, state, and local wage, hour, and payroll regulations.
• Oversee the integrity and accuracy of payroll records and documentation.
• Verify precise calculation of wages, tax withholdings, deductions, and employee benefits.
• Manage year‑end payroll activities, including W‑2 preparation and distribution.
• Prepare, review, and interpret payroll reports to support financial and operational decision‑making.
• Supervise, coach, and develop payroll team members, providing ongoing guidance and support.
• Partner closely with HR to ensure accurate processing of employee data changes, new hires, terminations, and promotions.
• Conduct performance evaluations for payroll staff and deliver constructive feedback.
• Oversee payroll reconciliations, reporting, and adherence to all regulatory requirements.
• Support internal and external audits and uphold strong internal controls.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with HR, Finance, and other departments to ensure seamless payroll operations.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or business administration required.
• Professional payroll certification preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading and managing payroll operations.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive payroll experience.
• Deep knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll regulations.
• Proficiency with payroll systems.
• Strong leadership and team‑management capabilities.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Highly organized with strong time‑management abilities.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive information.