Payroll Manager - Payroll Processing

Welcome to the intersection of energy and home services. At NRG, we’re driven by our passion to create a smarter, cleaner and more connected future. We deliver innovative solutions that make our customers’ lives easier—helping them power, protect, and intelligently manage their homes and businesses. We offer a dynamic work environment and a unified, inclusive culture that fosters collaboration and business performance. Our programs are designed to help employees develop skills for success now and in the future.

About the role

The Payroll Processor Manager is responsible for the strategic leadership, governance, compliance, administration, and execution of enterprise payroll operations. This role oversees payroll processing teams, payroll controls, payroll compliance, payroll technology, vendor relationships, workforce planning, and payroll transformation initiatives. The Payroll Processor Manager establishes payroll strategy, drives operational excellence, ensures regulatory compliance, and partners with senior leaders across Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, Tax, Legal, and business operations to support organizational objectives.

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise payroll operations across multiple payroll schedules, business units, and employee populations
• Establish payroll strategy, objectives, and operational priorities
• Develop payroll governance, policies, procedures, and controls
• Ensure alignment of payroll operations with organizational goals
• Drive continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations
• Manage payroll risk assessments and control reviews
• Ensure compliance with internal audit and regulatory requirements
• Oversee year-end payroll processing
• Oversee payroll processing operations and service delivery
• Ensure payroll accuracy, timeliness, and quality standards
• Monitor operational performance and service levels
• Establish and monitor payroll KPIs and metrics
• Review payroll trends and implement corrective actions as needed
• Lead payroll workforce planning activities
• Develop staffing strategies and succession plans
• Coach, mentor, and develop payroll leadership and staff
• Foster a culture of accountability, customer service, and continuous improvement
• Manage payroll vendor relationships and service delivery
• Oversee payroll technology strategy and optimization
• Partner with HRIS and IT teams on system enhancements
• Lead payroll system implementations, upgrades, and integrations
• Partner with Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, Tax, Legal, Compliance, and business leaders
• Provide payroll expertise and consultation to leadership teams
• Support enterprise initiatives and strategic business priorities
• Lead payroll due diligence activities for mergers and acquisitions
• Oversee payroll integrations and transition activities
• Lead payroll optimization and transformation initiatives
• Identify automation opportunities and process improvements
• Establish future-state payroll operating models

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED and 12 years of payroll experience, including 4 years of leadership experience and 7 years of SAP Employee Central Payroll experience; OR
• Associate Degree and 10 years of payroll experience, including 4 years of leadership experience and 7 years of SAP Employee Central Payroll experience; OR
• Bachelor's Degree and 8 years of payroll experience, including 4 years of leadership experience and 7 years of SAP Employee Central Payroll experience
• 7+ years multi-state payroll experience
• Experience managing payroll vendors and third-party service providers
• Experience leading enterprise payroll operations in a large, complex organization
• Advanced reporting, analytics, and workforce planning experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or ability to obtain within 12 months of hire
• Experience leading payroll transformations and optimization initiatives
• Experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, and payroll integrations
• Strong financial, analytical, and operational leadership skills

NRG Energy is committed to a drug and alcohol-free workplace. To the extent permitted by law and any applicable collective bargaining agreement, employees are subject to periodic random drug testing, and post-accident and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing.