Construction Payroll Manager

About the role

The Construction Payroll Manager will work under the direction of the Corporate Controller and be responsible for processing multi-state payroll ensuring all essential functions are completed timely and accurately. This position regularly exercises discretion in the review, audit and maintenance of employee timesheets and payroll accounting records. Administers a variety of payroll adjustments and changes to employee payroll data, when necessary. Works to ensure accuracy of records, and ensures compliance with local, state and federal regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute end-to-end weekly payroll processing for 100+ employees across union, non-union, PLA, and prevailing wage environments
• Oversee the review, validation, and approval of timekeeping data to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance prior to processing
• Manage the weekly payroll workflow, including preparation and validation in Sage and transmission to Dayforce for payroll execution
• Ensure accuracy and integrity of data flow between Sage (ERP/job costing) and Dayforce, including troubleshooting discrepancies and driving process improvements
• Interpret and apply wage determinations, including California DIR, prevailing wage, and PLA requirements, ensuring full compliance across projects
• Ensure payroll is processed in accordance with applicable wage determinations by accurately applying required rates, classifications, and fringe obligations
• Oversee the calculation and administration of bona fide fringe benefits and ensure proper offsets on prevailing wage (PW) projects
• Manage processing of wage garnishments, levies, and other court-ordered deductions in compliance with regulatory requirements
• Direct employee data management activities, including onboarding, status changes, and terminations, ensuring accuracy and system integrity
• Administer and optimize payroll and timekeeping systems (e.g., Sage 300, HH2), including configuration, maintenance, and process improvements
• Maintain payroll reporting and support financial, operational, and compliance reporting needs
• Develop and maintain burdened labor rates using established assumptions to support operational cost estimating and financial planning
• Apply and manage advanced knowledge of construction cost coding and accounting practices to ensure proper classification and reporting of labor costs
• Prepare and submit weekly payroll-related liability journal entries for entry into the ERP system
• Ensure full compliance with California DIR regulations, federal labor standards, and applicable state laws by monitoring regulatory changes and implementing necessary process updates
• Partner closely with the Certified Payroll Specialist to support audit activities (DOL, DIR, and other agencies), including assisting with preparation, documentation, and responses
• Identify and implement process improvements, controls, and best practices to enhance payroll efficiency, accuracy, and compliance
• Ensure accurate and timely preparation, reconciliation, and filing of all payroll tax returns, including federal, state, and local requirements, and oversee the accurate year-end processing and issuance of Form W 2s.

Requirements

• Comprehensive, hands-on knowledge with at least 12 years of experience in labor compliance within the California construction industry, specifically DIR, PW, DBA, PLA, and SCA frameworks
• Exceptional analytical capacity to reconcile discrepancies between conflicting union rules, federal determinations, and internal project costing
• Intermediate computer skills with proven understanding of payroll systems
• Thorough understanding of the importance of confidentiality and non-disclosure according to the general standards set forth by HIPAA
• Ability to exercise a high degree of diplomacy and tact, exhibiting excellent customer service and interpersonal communication skills both written and verbal
• Collaborate effectively within the team and across departments to achieve shared goals
• Proficiency processing payroll within the construction industry
• Experience with government contracts and familiarity with unions
• Highly organized professional with an attention to detail possessing a track record of meeting all deadlines
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software
• Cloud based payroll systems, preferably Ceridian Dayforce, Sage 300CRE, and HH2
• Ability to work independently, multi-task in an organized manner daily with variable deadlines and shifting priorities

Qualifications

• Minimum 12+ years of dedicated multi – state payroll experience explicitly within the commercial or heavy civil construction industry specializing in CA state
• Active CPP designation preferred
• Intermediate Excel skills (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP, IF statements)

Skills

• Intermediate Excel skills (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP, IF statements)

Benefits

Learn about the benefits associated with this position.

What to Know

• Sealaska and its affiliates do not make job offers without first conducting live in-person or virtual interviews, and they do not conduct interviews by email/text.
• Please be sure to confirm the legitimacy of all job postings on the sealaska.com careers page and https://jobs.dayforcehcm.com/en-US/sealaska/CANDIDATEPORTAL careers site before sharing any of your personal information.

Who is Sealaska?

Established in 1972, Sealaska is the Alaska Native regional corporation for Southeast Alaska. Our 23,000 shareholders are Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian people with more than 10,000 years of ancestral ties to the oceans, forests and communities of Southeast Alaska. We serve the twin goals of economic prosperity and environmental protection. We are committed to providing the best possible climate for maximum development and goal achievement for all our employees. As a Native-owned company, Sealaska Corporation is proud to promote an inclusive and diverse workplace, with respect for the cultural traditions in the communities where we operate. Sealaska Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, sex, gender, age, religion or religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. However, preference may be extended to an enrolled member of a federally-recognized Indian Tribe.*