Senior Payroll Manager

OpenGov; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work from anywhere

Unlimited vacation

Mission-driven colleagues

World-class healthcare

Professional development

Job summary

OpenGov is seeking a Senior Manager, Payroll to own end-to-end US payroll, ensure compliance across all jurisdictions, and scale operations as the business grows. You will lead a Payroll team, collaborate with Finance, HR, Legal, and IT, and drive automation and controls for accuracy.

The role requires 8+ years of US payroll experience, expertise in Workday and ADP, and strong communication skills. Located in the San Francisco Bay Area preferred.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of US payroll experience with multi-state knowledge.
• Experience managing payroll staff and driving accuracy.
• Strong understanding of federal, state, and local payroll tax rules.
• Experience with equity compensation (RSU) payroll tax and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end US payroll processing across all jurisdictions.
• Manage payroll tax compliance with federal, state, and local authorities.
• Partner with HR on 401(k), HSA, and FSA administration and deductions.
• Provide tax information and RSU settlement support.
• Oversee quarterly and year-end tax reporting (W-2, 1099, 940/941).
• Maintain payroll controls and GL reconciliations; support audits.
• Drive automation to improve accuracy and scalability.
• Supervise and develop the lead payroll specialist.

Skills

Payroll leadership

US payroll expertise

Cross-functional collaboration

Automation & process improvement

Compliance governance

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance or related field

Tools

Workday Payroll

ADP SmartCompliance

Excel/Google Sheets

Job description

• OpenGov powers more effective and accountable government, and our Accounting team builds the operations that let us grow with that mission. The Senior Manager, Payroll owns US payroll end-to-end and is accountable for its accuracy, completeness, and compliance across every jurisdiction where we employ people
• This leader sets the long-term direction for payroll operations: documenting processes, strengthening controls, and improving systems and automation so payroll scales with the business before we add headcount
• The role supervises our lead payroll specialist, works across Finance, Accounting, HR, Enterprise Applications & Engineering and Legal, and may expand over time to include equity administration
• Own end-to-end payroll processing for the United States, ensuring every payroll is accurate, complete, timely, and compliant with federal, state, and local requirements
• Manage payroll tax compliance across all jurisdictions, including resolving compliance issues, processing adjustments and driving audits to completion in a timely manner with federal, state, and local authorities
• Partner with HR on 401(k), HSA, and FSA administration by ensuring employee and employer contributions are calculated correctly and remitted on time, and process all deductions accurately and in compliance with legal requirements
• Provide tax information and withholding calculations for RSU settlements, and over time take on administration of RSU settlement process in partnership with Accounting and Legal
• Manage quarterly and year-end employment tax reporting, including W-2, 1099, Form 940/941 filings, state and local returns
• Own payroll general ledger reconciliations and support month-end close in partnership with Accounting, and oversee payroll-related audits such as 401(k) and workers’ compensation
• Design, document, and maintain payroll controls, including review and approval steps, reconciliations, checks for completeness and accuracy across spreadsheets and systems and keep the function ready for internal and external audits
• Improve processes and systems, using automation where it strengthens accuracy and efficiency, so the function scales before headcount is added
• Supervise and develop the lead payroll specialist

Benefits

• Work from anywhere
• Unlimited vacation
• Mission-driven colleagues
• World-class healthcare
• Professional development

8+ years of US payroll experience, including 3+ years managing payroll staff, with in-depth knowledge of federal, state, and local employment requirements and multi-state payroll taxBachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field, or equivalent work experienceSound judgment and a bias for action: spots issues early, escalates them promptly with a proposed resolution, and drives them to closureHands-on experience with Workday Payroll and ADP SmartComplianceExcellent written and verbal communication skills, a record of working cross-functionally, and discretion with confidential employee informationAbility to work in office in San Francisco, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, or BostonComfortable using AI-native tools to accelerate workflows and improve efficiencyExceptional attention to detail and a record of delivering accurate, complete payroll on tight deadlines, with proficiency in Excel/Google Sheets, including complex formulas and analysis of large datasetsCertified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC)Experience designing payroll controls and supporting internal or external auditsExperience improving payroll processes through automation while maintaining accuracy and controlExperience with equity compensation (RSU) payroll tax and reportingExperience in a SaaS or technology company, including integrating payroll for acquired companies