Manager Payroll Operations

Overview At SCA Health, we believe health care is about people - the patients we serve, the physicians we support and the teammates who push us forward. Behind every successful facility, procedure or innovation is a team of 15,000+ professionals working together, learning from each other and living out the mission, vision and values that define our organization. As part of Optum, SCA Health is redefining specialty care by developing more accessible, patient-centered practice solutions for a network of more than 370 ambulatory surgical centers, over 400 specialty physician practice clinics and numerous labs and surgical hospitals. Our work spans a broad spectrum of services, all designed to support physicians, health systems and employers in delivering efficient, value-based care to patients without compromising quality or autonomy. What sets SCA Health apart isn’t just what we do, it’s how we do it. Each decision we make is rooted in seven core values: Clinical quality Integrity Service excellence Teamwork Accountability Continuous improvement Inclusion Our values aren’t empty words - they inform our attitudes, actions and culture. At SCA Health, your work directly impacts patients, physicians and communities. Here, you’ll find opportunities to build your career alongside a team that values your expertise, invests in your success, and shares a common mission to care for patients, serve physicians and improve health care in America. At SCA Health, we offer a comprehensive benefits package to support your health, well-being, and financial future. Our offerings include medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401k plan with company match, paid time off, life and disability insurance, and more. Please visit, https://careers.sca.health/why-sca, to learn more about our benefits. Your ideas should inspire change. If you join our team, they will. Responsibilities The Manager, Payroll Operations is responsible for leading payroll operations and ensuring the accurate, timely, and compliant processing of payroll across a complex, multi-state healthcare organization. This role oversees payroll administration, compliance, audit readiness, process optimization, and team leadership while partnering closely with Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, HR Technology, and operational leaders. The Manager serves as a subject matter expert in payroll operations, regulatory compliance, payroll systems, and process governance. This position is responsible for driving operational excellence, enhancing teammate experience, mitigating compliance risk, and supporting enterprise initiatives, including system implementations, process improvements, acquisitions, integrations, and organizational transformation efforts. This role is a remote postion located in the United States. Responsibilities And Scope Payroll Operations & Compliance Lead end-to-end payroll operations for a multi-state workforce, ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing.Establish and maintain controls that ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations.Review and approve payroll results, auditing payroll output for accuracy and resolution of identified exceptions.Oversee payment processing including regular payroll, supplemental payments, off-cycle payrolls, bonuses, incentive payments, and special earnings programs.Ensure compliance with wage and hour regulations, tax requirements, garnishment processing, leave payments, and benefit deductions.Direct year-end payroll activities, including W-2 processing, payroll reconciliations, and required governmental reporting.Partner with internal auditors in support of payroll-related audits and compliance reviews. Leadership & Talent Development Lead, coach, and develop Payroll Operations team members through performance management, career development, and continuous learning opportunities.Establish team goals, performance metrics, and accountability standards aligned with organizational objectives.Foster a culture of service excellence, collaboration, operational discipline, and continuous improvement.Provide guidance and support for complex payroll issues and escalations. Process Improvement & Operational Excellence Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, controls, service delivery, and teammate experience.Develop and maintain payroll policies, procedures, and standard operating documentation.Drive process standardization and automation initiatives including AI capabilities to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.Monitor payroll performance metrics and implement corrective actions as needed. Systems & Technology Serve as a key stakeholder for payroll system administration, configuration, testing, and optimization activities.Partner with HR Technology and Information Technology teams to support payroll-related system enhancements, integrations, upgrades, and implementations.Lead payroll requirements gathering, user acceptance testing, change management, and post-implementation support activities.Ensure integrity of payroll data across HR, payroll, benefits, timekeeping, and financial systems. Cross-Functional Partnership Collaborate closely with Human Resources, Benefits, Compensation, Finance, Accounting, Legal, and operational leaders to resolve complex payroll matters.Support mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and organizational integration activities related to payroll operations.Provide payroll expertise and reporting support for enterprise initiatives and strategic projects.Communicate effectively with leaders and stakeholders regarding payroll operational performance, risks, and opportunities. Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field, or equivalent experience.7+ years of progressive payroll experience, including payroll operations, compliance, tax reporting, year-end processing, and payroll audits.3+ years of leadership experience managing payroll teams and operations.Experience managing payroll in a multi-state environment.Experience supporting payroll system implementations, upgrades, or large-scale process improvement initiatives.Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations, including wage and hour compliance, garnishments, payroll taxation, and payroll accounting principles.Demonstrated ability to lead teams through change in a fast-paced environment with strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.Preferred: Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification; experience in healthcare or large distributed workforces; experience with UKG Pro, Oracle HCM, or comparable enterprise payroll/HCM platforms; experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, integrations, or organizational transformation initiatives. USD $89,800.00/Yr. USD $130,000.00/Yr.