Payroll Supervisor/Manager/Director

About the role

We are looking for an experienced payroll leader to oversee accurate, compliant payroll operations for a complex, multi-entity organization in San Ramon, California. This role is ideal for someone who combines deep technical payroll expertise with strong leadership skills and can guide high-volume processing across multiple states. The successful candidate will partner closely with cross-functional teams to strengthen controls, resolve issues efficiently, and ensure timely payroll delivery from start to finish.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end payroll operations for a large employee population, ensuring each payroll cycle is completed accurately and on schedule.
• Manage payroll processing across multiple states and legal entities while maintaining compliance with applicable wage, tax, and reporting requirements.
• Oversee payroll calculations involving regular earnings, commissions, and other variable compensation elements.
• Review payroll reconciliations, audit findings, and internal control activities to identify discrepancies and drive corrective action.
• Direct year-end payroll activities, including W-2 and W-2C preparation, validation, and distribution.
• Supervise and develop payroll team members by providing training, coaching, and performance guidance.
• Partner with Human Resources, Finance, Compliance, Internal Audit, and business leadership to address payroll questions and support operational needs.
• Monitor timekeeping inputs and related processes to improve payroll accuracy and reduce processing issues.
• Use payroll systems and reporting tools, including Excel-based analysis, to investigate exceptions and support decision-making.

Qualifications

• At least 7 years of progressive payroll experience, including responsibility for complex payroll operations.
• Prior experience leading or managing payroll staff in a fast-paced environment is strongly preferred.
• Hands-on experience with ADP Workforce Now and strong familiarity with enterprise payroll platforms.
• Proven success processing multistate payroll for multiple companies or legal entities.
• Background handling payroll for employees with base pay, commissions, and other variable earnings.
• Knowledge of payroll tax administration, year-end processing, reconciliations, audits, and internal controls.
• Proficiency with time and attendance systems, Microsoft Excel, and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience will also be considered.