Sr. Manager, Payroll

Akima; Herndon, Northern (VA, KY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision, life insure.

401(k) and PTO

Job summary

Akima is seeking a Payroll Operations Manager to lead a team responsible for the preparation, processing, validation, and disbursement of company payrolls. This role works with executive management on auditing processes to improve efficiency from labor processing to general ledger posting.

Based in Herndon, VA and offered as a hybrid position, the role requires 5+ years of payroll experience, 3+ years of managerial experience, in-house and multi-state payroll expertise, and familiarity with

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred.
• Local to Herndon, Virginia preferred but not required
• Federal Government Contracting experience preferred
• Experience with multi-state payrolls and in-house payroll processing
• Strong Excel and analytical skills
• Ability to thrive under tight deadlines

Responsibilities

• Lead in-house payroll processing for a large, multi-state employee base.
• Oversee payroll setup for new contracts and entities.
• Manage centralized payroll team and validate payroll outputs.
• Coordinate month-end/quarter-end/year-end payroll activities and reporting.
• Ensure compliance with government regulations and reporting requirements.

Skills

MS Excel

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Deltek T&E

Costpoint

Job description

Akima is seeking a skilled Payroll Operations Manager to join our team of outstanding professionals.

Responsible for managing a team for preparation, processing, validation/review, and disbursement of the company payrolls. This position will work with executive management on auditing processes for efficiency and improvements from labor processing to general ledger posting.

Responsibilities

• In-house payroll processing for greater than 10,000 active employees assigned to over 40 different taxable entities across all 50 states.
• Payroll related set up for new contracts/companies.
• Managing the activities of a centralized payroll department carrying out responsibility for payroll preparation/processing.
• Supervising the maintenance of the automated payroll system and assists in installation and maintenance of system modules.
• Updating the system to handle new requirements including tax laws.
• Performing support functions necessary for payroll processing.
• Assisting the payroll tax and accounting group with quarterly and annual reconciliations and the preparation of year end W-2s including additional income items to be reported.
• Assisting in the development of goals, policies, priorities, and procedures relating to payroll.
• Research accounting reconciling items from payroll postings.
• Establishing system controls for payroll system and develop procedures to improve existing systems.
• Interpreting company policies and government regulations affecting payroll procedures.
• Direct preparation of government reporting.
• Determining work procedures, prepares work schedules, and expedites workflow.
• Studying and standardizing procedures to improve efficiency of payroll operation.
• The employment, training, motivation and performance evaluation of department staff.
• Coordinating month end/quarter end and year end payroll activities.
• Assisting with all tax related deadlines and filings.
• Providing timely resolution for escalated payroll or payroll accounting issues.
• Provide necessary backup to payroll management as needed in executive level meetings.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred.
• Local to Herndon, Virginia preferred but not required
• Federal Government Contracting experience preferred & strongly suggested
• Experience working with employees covered by the Service Contract Act, Davis-Bacon Act and collective bargaining agreements preferred.
• Experience with running in-house payroll.
• Experience with multi-state payrolls.
• At least 5+ years of payroll experience.
• At least 3+ years of managerial experience.
• Experience with Deltek T&E and Costpoint preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to thrive under tight deadlines.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• This Hybrid position requires that you live within commuting distance from Herndon, VA

Job ID

2026-25167

Work Type

Hybrid

Pay Range

$140,000 - $160,000

Benefits

• Regular - The company offers a comprehensive benefits program, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) and a range of other voluntary benefits. Paid Time Off (PTO) is offered to regular full-time and part-time employees.

Company Description

Work Where it Matters

Akima is not just another global enterprise and federal contractor. As an Alaska Native Corporation (ANC), our mission and purpose extend beyond our exciting federal projects as we support our shareholder communities in Alaska.

At Akima, the work you do every day makes a difference in the lives of our 15,000 Iñupiat shareholders, a group of Alaska natives from one of the most remote and harshest environments in the United States.

For our shareholders, Akima provides support and employment opportunities and contributes to the survival of a culture that has thrived above the Arctic Circle for more than 10,000 years.

For our government customers, Akima delivers agile solutions in the core areas of facilities, maintenance, and repair; information technology; logistics; protective services; systems engineering; mission support; furniture, fixtures & equipment (FF&E); and construction.

As an Akima employee, you will be surrounded by a challenging, yet supportive work environment that is committed to innovation and diversity, two of our most important values. You will also have access to our comprehensive benefits and competitive pay in addition to growth opportunities and excellent retirement options.