Payroll Manager - Payroll Processing

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.

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
• Oversee year-end payroll processing
• Lead payroll workforce planning activities
• Develop staffing strategies and succession plans
• Coach, mentor, and develop payroll leadership and staff
• 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

Qualifications

• 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
• Associate Degree and 10 years of payroll experience, including 4 years of leadership experience and 7 years of SAP Employee Central Payroll experience
• 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