Our client, an established and growing organization with operations across multiple locations, is seeking an experienced Senior Payroll Manager to lead and enhance its payroll function. This is a high-impact leadership opportunity for a payroll professional who thrives in complex, multi-state environments and brings a strong combination of technical payroll expertise, people leadership, and process improvement experience. The Senior Payroll Manager will oversee payroll operations across multiple business units, manage and develop a team of payroll professionals, and play a key role in improving payroll systems, processes, and controls.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and oversee payroll operations across multiple business units, states, and employee populations, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and regulatory compliance.
- Manage complex payroll structures involving multiple pay frequencies, union and nonunion employees, and varying compensation arrangements.
- Provide leadership, coaching, and development to payroll professionals across multiple locations.
- Drive payroll system enhancements, integrations, automation, and process improvement initiatives.
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations, including tax reporting, wage and hour requirements, and collective bargaining agreements.
- Collaborate with Finance, Accounting, Human Resources, and operational leadership to resolve payroll issues and maintain effective internal controls.
- Oversee payroll reconciliations, reporting, general ledger integrations, and year-end payroll activities.
- Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, strengthen payroll procedures, and support continued organizational growth.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field required.
- 10+ years of progressive payroll experience,including extensive multi-state payroll administration.
- 5+ years of payroll management or leadership experience preferred.
- Strong experience managing complex payroll operations across multiple entities, jurisdictions, and employee classifications.
- Experience administering union payroll and collective bargaining agreements strongly preferred.
- Proficiency with payroll systems, ideally ADP, including experience with system implementations, integrations, or process improvements.
- Strong understanding of payroll taxation, regulatory compliance, payroll accounting, and internal controls.
- Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and develop payroll teams.
- Excellent communication, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation preferred.
Why Consider This Opportunity?
- Leadership Impact: Take ownership of a complex payroll function with significant visibility across the organization.
- Strategic Initiatives: Play an integral role in payroll technology improvements, system integration, and operational efficiencies.
- Career Growth: Join an established organization offering the opportunity to expand responsibilities and influence payroll strategy.
- Collaborative Environment: Partner closely with senior leadership and cross-functional teams while developing a strong