Financial Compliance Project Manager

Position Overview

This position is critical to ensuring both stability and agility within the Finance organization. By combining deep payroll expertise with broad financial capability, this role enables the CFO and finance team to operate more efficiently, respond to changing business needs, and maintain strong financial controls.

The role is designed initially to focus on the oversight and continuous improvement of the payroll function with identified goals, timelines, and success metrics. The duration of this focus is anticipated to be between six and twelve months. Achieving expected milestones will enable this position to devote more time supporting broader finance and accounting activities, offering expertise, flexibility, and leadership across the department.

Position Responsibilities

• Payroll Oversight
• Strategic oversight and leadership of the payroll function through management of the Payroll team
• Ensure payroll operations are executed accurately, timely, and in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations
• Establish clear expectations, performance standards, and accountability measures for payroll team members
• Review and monitor key payroll outputs, reconciliations, and reporting to ensure accuracy and completeness
• Oversee the design, implementation, and maintenance of payroll processes, controls, and systems
• Partner with the Payroll Manager to identify risks, resolve escalated issues, and drive continuous improvement initiatives
• Collaborate with HR and other departments to ensure alignment on compensation, benefits, and payroll-related policies
• Ensure readiness for internal and external audits and review audit deliverables related to payroll
• Evaluate and enhance payroll-related internal controls and compliance frameworks
• Support strategic decisions related to payroll systems, vendors, and process optimization
• Manage and mentor staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs while ensuring continued training and associated development of knowledge
• Create and drive new ways of working through contributing to the development of services and standard procedures based in an understanding of the business principles that protect SOM from financial and legal risk
• Direct the resolution of complex issues or errors
• Finance & Accounting Support
• Provide high-level oversight and strategic support across core finance and accounting functions, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and CFO direction
• Partner with functional leads on specific projects to review key deliverables, identify risks, and ensure the integrity and accuracy of financial data and reporting
• Establish and monitor appropriate controls, policies, and performance metrics across the finance organization
• Support the CFO in evaluating program and process efficiency across departments
• Lead or assist cross-functional initiatives focused on process improvement, system enhancements, and operational scalability
• Guide and oversee critical periods such as month-end close, year-end close, audits, or potential ERP system implementations/Upgrades
• Step in at a leadership level during periods of transition, turnover, or increased workload to ensure continuity and stability
• Document procedures as required

Leadership Responsibilities

• Actively leads a project team
• Directly supervises, trains, and mentors team members
• Engages in talent strategy to find specialists, leaders, and future professionals for the firm through resume review and interviews
• Demonstrates leadership in the implementation of sustainable strategies in all project assignments and the associated development of staff knowledge
• Creates and drives new ways of working through contributing to the development of services, standards, procedures based in an understanding of the business principles that protect SOM from financial and legal risk

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (CPA or advanced degree preferred)
• 8 or more years of progressive experience in finance and accounting roles
• Strong expertise in payroll operations, compliance, and systems
• Broad knowledge across multiple finance disciplines (AP, AR, reporting, audit, etc.)
• Demonstrated ability to operate both strategically and tactically
• High attention to detail with strong problem-solving skills
• Ability to adapt quickly and manage shifting priorities
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills