Complex Payroll Manager

About the Role

The Complex Payroll Manager is responsible for the accurate, timely, and compliant processing of payroll for approximately 500 associates across Grand Hyatt Nashville and The Union Station Nashville Yards. This position serves as the subject matter expert for payroll administration, payroll tax compliance, wage and hour regulations, employee deductions and benefits administration, and labor reporting. Reporting to the Director of Finance, with dotted-line accountability to Human Resources, the Complex Payroll Manager partners closely with Finance, Human Resources, Operations, and Department Leaders to ensure payroll accuracy, labor compliance, and effective workforce management. This role also plays a key role in the administration of Unifocus labor management systems, including labor standards management and facilitation of weekly labor review meetings.

Responsibilities

• Process biweekly payroll for approximately 500 associates across two luxury full-service hotel properties.
• Ensure payroll is processed accurately and in accordance with company policies, federal and state labor laws, and established deadlines.
• Maintain payroll records according to the company records retention policy and employee earnings histories while ensuring confidentiality and data integrity.
• Audit payroll transactions including earnings, overtime, tips, service charges, deductions, taxes, garnishments, and benefit withholdings.
• Serve as the primary administrator for payroll processing and reporting.
• Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies, associate inquiries, and timekeeping issues in a timely manner.
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations.
• Monitor compliance with FLSA regulations, overtime requirements, and 7(i) exemption guidelines where applicable.
• Prepare payroll accruals and assist with labor reporting and financial analysis.
• Partner with Human Resources to ensure proper administration of employee benefits, deductions, leave programs, and onboarding activities.
• Support internal and external audits by providing payroll records, reconciliations, and supporting documentation.
• Lead the on-property administration of the Labor Management System (LMS).
• Maintain labor standards within LMS and collaborate with department leaders to ensure standards remain current and operationally appropriate.
• Co-facilitate weekly labor meetings with Assistant Director of Finance for operational leadership and provide labor analysis, productivity reporting, and recommendations.
• Develop and maintain payroll and labor management SOPs and training materials.
• Provide training and support to managers regarding payroll procedures, labor management tools, and workforce compliance requirements.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

• Strong understanding of payroll administration and wage-and-hour compliance.
• Advanced attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Ability to manage confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• Strong analytical, reconciliation, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent organizational and time-management abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet strict payroll deadlines.
• Collaborative communication style with the ability to partner effectively across Finance, Human Resources, and Operations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP functions, and data analysis techniques.
• Ability to interpret labor trends and provide meaningful operational insights.
• Strong systems aptitude and capability to learn and administer workforce management platforms.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or related field preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or related field strongly preferred.
• Minimum of three (3) years of payroll processing experience required.
• Experience processing high-volume payrolls preferred.
• Experience with Paychex payroll systems strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of payroll taxes, employee benefits administration, garnishments, and payroll deductions required.
• Working knowledge of Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) regulations, overtime laws, and 7(i) exemption guidelines preferred.
• Experience with labor management systems, workforce analytics, or scheduling platforms preferred.
• Hospitality, hotel, resort, or multi-unit operational experience preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

Pay

$65,000 per year