Payroll and Compliance Manager

We are seeking an experienced Payroll & Compliance Manager to oversee payroll operations, ensure compliance with federal and state regulations, and support employee benefits administration. This role maintains accurate payroll processing, strengthens internal controls, supervises a payroll team member, and collaborates with Finance and Human Resources.

Responsibilities

Payroll Leadership

• Provide oversight of the organization's payroll function by reviewing payroll prior to each processing cycle and ensuring all employee payments, incentive compensation, adjustments, and special payrolls are completed accurately.
• Serve as the internal expert for payroll technology, partnering with internal teams to optimize system performance, troubleshoot issues, and support system enhancements.
• Ensure payroll activities remain compliant with applicable tax regulations and employment laws across multiple states.
• Stay informed of legislative changes impacting payroll, including wage and hour regulations, overtime requirements, paid leave laws, and tax updates, implementing necessary process changes as needed.
• Coordinate annual payroll reporting requirements, including tax forms, year-end reconciliations, and regulatory filings.
• Establish and maintain effective payroll procedures, documentation, approval processes, and internal controls to minimize risk and ensure accuracy.
• Assist with payroll-related audits, government inquiries, and compliance reviews.
• Reconcile payroll activity with financial records and prepare payroll-related reports and accruals for the accounting team.

Benefits & HR Partnership

• Oversee the administration of employee benefit programs, including enrollment, qualifying life events, vendor coordination, billing reconciliation, and retirement plan administration.
• Manage the annual benefits enrollment process from planning through implementation, including employee communications, system updates, and post-enrollment quality reviews.
• Ensure benefit deductions and employer contributions are reflected accurately within each payroll cycle.
• Partner with Human Resources to support employee lifecycle events, including new hires, promotions, compensation updates, leaves of absence, and terminations.
• Work collaboratively to ensure leave-related pay is administered correctly and in accordance with company policy and applicable regulations.

Team Management

• Supervise and develop the payroll specialist by providing coaching, performance feedback, training, and ongoing support.
• Serve as backup for payroll processing when necessary to ensure business continuity.

Requirements

• Five or more years of progressive payroll experience with responsibility for multi-state payroll administration.
• Previous leadership or supervisory experience within a payroll function is preferred.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) credential is a plus.
• Experience working with payroll and HR information systems.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related discipline preferred.

Skills

• Strong understanding of payroll regulations, tax compliance, and payroll accounting principles.
• Excellent analytical abilities with exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate across departments.
• Demonstrated ability to improve processes, strengthen controls, and solve complex payroll issues.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and payroll reporting tools.

Pay

The salary range for this role varies by location as required by local law. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses and participation in medical, dental, and vision benefits, as well as the company's 401(k) retirement plan.