Senior Payroll Manager - Hybrid & Compliance

Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health/Dental/Vision plans

Life and Disability Insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off; Hybrid schedule (Tue-\u

Hybrid schedule (Tue-Thu)

Job summary

Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP in Los Angeles seeks a Payroll Manager to lead our payroll operations with emphasis on accuracy, compliance, and internal controls. You will oversee semi-monthly payroll processing, timekeeping, deductions, and tax reporting while partnering with HR, Benefits, and Finance.

You will drive process improvements, oversee ADP Workforce Now and Workday integrations, and manage the payroll team to deliver timely, reliable payroll and auditable records.

Qualifications

• Experience leading payroll operations for a large organization.
• Strong knowledge of ADP and Workday payroll systems.
• Ability to design payroll controls and audit procedures.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Oversees and manages all payroll operations, ensuring accurate and timely processing of semi-monthly payrolls.
• Directs payroll activities related to salaries, bonuses, supplemental compensation, benefits deductions, expense reimbursements, garnishments, taxes, retirement contributions, and other payroll-related transactions.
• Reviews and approves payroll registers, audit reports, and reconciliations prior to payroll transmission.
• Ensures timely and accurate processing of payroll changes, including new hires, terminations, promotions, compensation changes, leaves of absence, tax and retirement elections, and other payroll related transactions.
• Oversees timekeeping administration and ensures accurate reporting of hours worked, overtime, vacation, sick and leave balances, as applicable.
• Maintains payroll records and documentation in accordance with applicable legal, regulatory, and Firm requirements.
• Manages payroll audits, tax notices, inquiries, and internal and external reporting requirements.
• Develops, implements, and maintains payroll controls and audit procedures to safeguard and minimize risk.
• Designs and maintains complex payroll analysis, reconciliations, and reporting models utilizing advanced Excel functionality including VLOOKUP, formulas and pivot tables.
• Prepares payroll-related analyses relating to compensation, taxes, benefits, headcount, and labor costs.
• Partners with Finance to ensure timely and accurate payroll journal entries, accruals, account reconciliations, and financial reporting.
• Supports budgeting, forecasting, and compensation-related reporting activities.
• Provides payroll-related schedules, reports, and support for audits and reviews.
• Serves as the primary system owner and subject matter expert for ADP Workforce Now, ADP Workforce Manager, and related payroll technologies.
• Partners with Human Resources and other stakeholders to support and optimize Workday integrations and payroll-related system functionality.
• Oversees payroll system configurations, testing, upgrades, enhancements, implementations, and change management initiatives.
• Ensures data integrity between payroll, HRIS, timekeeping, benefits, and accounting systems.
• Identifies opportunities for automation, process improvements, and enhanced process efficiencies and practices to increase efficiency and reduce risk.
• Develops and maintains standard operating procedures and payroll process documentation.
• Leads, develops, coaches, and evaluates payroll staff through performance management, mentoring, training, and professional development.
• Establishes departmental goals, priorities, service standards, and performance expectations.
• Allocates work across the payroll team to ensure efficiency, accuracy, timely service delivery, and employee development.
• Creates cross-training opportunities and succession plans to ensure continuity of payroll operations.
• Serves as the primary escalation point for complex payroll-related issues and inquiries.
• Builds and maintains strong working relationships with Human Resources, Benefits, Finance, and external payroll vendors.
• Maintains a high level of confidentiality and professionalism when handling sensitive employee information.
• Performs other duties and special projects as assigned.

Skills

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

ADP Workforce Now

ADP Workforce Manager

Workday

Excel

Job description

Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP in Los Angeles seeks a Payroll Manager to lead our payroll operations with emphasis on accuracy, compliance, and internal controls. You will oversee semi-monthly payroll processing, timekeeping, deductions, and tax reporting while partnering with HR, Benefits, and Finance.

You will drive process improvements, oversee ADP Workforce Now and Workday integrations, and manage the payroll team to deliver timely, reliable payroll and auditable records.