Payroll Manager

About the role

The Payroll Manager at Tend is responsible for overseeing the end-to-end payroll experience for a complex, multi-state healthcare workforce. This role requires deep payroll expertise, operational excellence, and cross-functional partnership to ensure accurate, compliant, and timely payments.

Responsibilities

• Own and execute bi-weekly payroll for a multi-state, multi-entity healthcare workforce across clinical studios and corporate teams.
• Ensure accurate processing for hourly, salaried, and contractor populations, including multiple pay cycles, rates, and premium structures.
• Manage complex pay components including shift differentials, clinical premiums, overtime, blended rates, state-specific rules, and retroactive adjustments.
• Oversee payroll inputs including time and attendance, PTO, leaves of absence, bonuses, commissions, and off-cycle payments.
• Process and reconcile 401(k) and other benefit-related payroll deductions, including employee contributions, employer matches, and loan repayments.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage-and-hour laws, with particular attention to healthcare and state-specific requirements.
• Manage payroll tax setup, filings, deposits, reconciliations, and agency notices in partnership with payroll vendors.
• Own year-end processes including W-2s, 1099s, and all required state and federal reporting.
• Conduct payroll audits, reconciliations, and internal controls to ensure accuracy, compliance, and financial integrity.
• Partner with Finance on payroll accruals, general ledger alignment, and labor reporting for clinical and corporate teams.
• Serve as system owner for payroll and timekeeping platforms, ensuring pay rules, premiums, and state requirements are correctly configured.
• Lead continuous improvement of payroll processes, documentation, and controls to support scale and a strong team member experience.
• Act as a trusted partner to People, Finance, Legal, and Studio leaders on complex payroll and pay practice questions.

Requirements

• 7+ years of progressive payroll experience, including ownership of multi-state, multi-unit payroll in healthcare or similarly complex environments.
• Deep experience supporting hourly, salaried, and contractor populations, including clinical teams with shift-based scheduling and premium pay.
• Strong working knowledge of payroll tax compliance, wage-and-hour laws, and healthcare-specific pay practices.
• Hands-on experience managing payroll audits, tax notices, garnishments, and regulatory inquiries.
• Advanced experience with payroll and timekeeping systems (UKG preferred; ADP, Workday, or similar platforms).
• Strong Excel and reporting skills for audits, reconciliations, and leadership reporting.
• A high bar for accuracy, strong organization, and the ability to operate calmly and effectively in fast-paced, high-volume environments.
• A collaborative, service-oriented mindset with the ability to build trust and influence across People, Finance, Legal, and Studio teams.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Accounting, or related field.
• Experience: 7+ years of progressive payroll experience, including ownership of multi-state, multi-unit payroll in healthcare or similarly complex environments.

Skills

• Payroll Tax Compliance
• Wage-and-Hour Laws
• Healthcare-Specific Pay Practices
• Payroll Audits
• Payroll System Configuration
• Excel and Reporting Skills
• Collaboration and Influence

Benefits

• Health Insurance
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Health Advocacy
• Legal Support
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 401(k) Plan
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Company Holidays
• Annual Bonus

Pay

$95,000 USD - $125,000 USD

Schedule

This position is hybrid if Nashville-based (Tuesdays and Wednesdays in office) or remote if based outside of Nashville. Candidates must be based in central or east coast time zones.