Senior Manager, Payroll (Tax)

General Function

The Senior Manager, Payroll Tax Operations leads the strategy, compliance, and execution of payroll tax operations across U.S. and Canada entities. This role ensures accurate, compliant, and efficient payroll tax processes in a complex, multi-jurisdictional environment. The leader drives operational excellence, risk management, and transformation while partnering across HR, Finance, IT, and Legal to support enterprise priorities.

Major Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end payroll tax operations, including filings, deposits, reconciliations, and reporting across jurisdictions
• Ensure compliance with U.S. federal, state, local, and Canadian tax regulations; monitor legislative changes and implement updates
• Lead and execute payroll tax compliance audits, reviewing processes, data integrity, filings, and reconciliations; partner with Audit and Finance to remediate findings and strengthen controls (including SOX)
• Serve as primary contact for audits, tax authorities, and agency inquiries; oversee notice resolution and root cause analysis and negotiations
• Partner with Finance on general ledger integration, account reconciliations, and financial reporting
• Lead year-end activities including W-2, W-2c, and T4 processing with accuracy and timeliness
• Oversee employee tax setup processes, including multi-state, remote workforce, and cross-border considerations
• Drive payroll tax system strategy and optimization (ADP GlobalView, SmartCompliance, SAP or equivalent)
• Lead system implementations, upgrades, and integrations
• Manage vendor relationships and performance to ensure delivery against SLAs
• Establish KPIs and reporting to monitor service delivery, compliance, and operational effectiveness
• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team; build capabilities and support succession planning
• Drive continuous improvement through process optimization, automation, and analytics
• Partner cross-functionally to support complex business needs, including M&A and organizational change

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, HR, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 8–10+ years of progressive payroll tax experience, including leadership roles
• Mastery of U.S. federal, state, and local payroll tax laws (plus Canadian if applicable)
• Ability to interpret complex regulations (e.g., multi-state taxation, remote work, supplemental wages)
• Strong command of SOX controls, internal audit processes, and tax compliance frameworks
• Ability to identify risks, manage audits, resolve tax notices, and implement corrective actions
• Proven ability to lead high-performing teams and drive accountability
• Influences cross-functional partners (Finance, HR, Legal, IT) and advises senior leadership
• Translates technical tax issues into business decisions and strategy
• Expertise in enterprise payroll systems (ADP, SAP, Workday, etc.)
• Strong analytical capability to leverage data for insights, accuracy, and forecasting
• Proven ability to lead teams in complex, high-volume environments
• Strong communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills

PREFERRED

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), Payroll Leadership Professional (PLP), or Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Experience with payroll transformation, M&A, or shared service
• Knowledge of data visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau)

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, HR, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 8–10+ years of progressive payroll tax experience, including leadership roles
• Mastery of U.S. federal, state, and local payroll tax laws (plus Canadian if applicable)
• Ability to interpret complex regulations (e.g., multi-state taxation, remote work, supplemental wages)
• Strong command of SOX controls, internal audit processes, and tax compliance frameworks
• Ability to identify risks, manage audits, resolve tax notices, and implement corrective actions
• Proven ability to lead high-performing teams and drive accountability
• Influences cross-functional partners (Finance, HR, Legal, IT) and advises senior leadership
• Translates technical tax issues into business decisions and strategy
• Expertise in enterprise payroll systems (ADP, SAP, Workday, etc.)
• Strong analytical capability to leverage data for insights, accuracy, and forecasting
• Proven ability to lead teams in complex, high-volume environments
• Strong communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills

Pay and Benefits

Your total rewards package includes competitive compensation, a comprehensive benefits program, and opportunities for professional development. EssilorLuxottica is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We comply with all applicable laws related to the application and hiring process. For feedback about an active job posting or requests for reasonable accommodations, please contact the EssilorLuxottica SpeakUp Hotline at 844-303-0229 or email HRCompliance@luxotticaretail.com. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.