Payroll Manager

Key Responsibilities

• Complete end-to-end payroll processing for all employees, including full-time and part-time staff, athletes, coaches, and game-day personnel
• Cook up multi-state/provincial and international payroll requirements for players and traveling staff, and communicate with Players and representatives
• Climb aboard with league representatives to ensure compliance with league rules, collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), and tax regulations
• Interpret and administer compensation payments and ensure proper payroll categorization
• Oversee, review, and coordinate all employee deduction activities including 401K and garnishments
• Manage payroll-related audits and/or audit requests, including 401K, workers compensation, financial and league or regulatory reviews
• Review and approve payroll tax reports and ensure timely remittance of taxes and statutory deductions
• Handle year-end tax reporting and reconciliation
• Partner with HR for oversight of HRIS/payroll systems, ensuring data accuracy, security, and proper integration
• Respond to manager, employee and designated representative payroll inquiries and resolve discrepancies
• Aid in the preparation of payroll journal entries, and month end payroll account reconciliations

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or equivalent work experience in payroll field
• 5–8+ years of payroll experience, with at least 2–3 years in a manager environment
• Experience in sports, entertainment, or organizations with complex compensation and taxation structures strongly preferred
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or equivalent designation is an asset
• Strong knowledge of 401(k) plans including management, oversight and compliance
• Strong knowledge of payroll laws, tax regulations, and compliance requirements (multi-jurisdictional experience preferred)
• Familiarity with CBAs and athlete compensation structures is a plus

Skills & Competencies

• Deep attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information
• Proficiency in Paylocity payroll system a plus and advanced Excel skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment tied to the NBA and future WNBA calendar

Preferred (NBA-Specific Experience)

• Experience working with player contracts, bonuses, and endorsement-related payments
• Knowledge of salary cap mechanics, escrow, and benefit programs under the NBA CBA
• Experience handling payroll for unionized environments and high-profile employees
• Experience with the duty day method of allocating professional athlete compensation to various states

Working Conditions

• Position requires flexible work during certain times including bi-weekly and semi-monthly payroll processing, basketball season, and year-end processing
• Coordination with basketball and accounting staff

Employment Policies

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We are dedicated to ensuring equal access throughout the employment process. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable participation in the application and interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.