The Senior Payroll Manager is responsible for overseeing end-to-end payroll operations for a multi-state, multi-entity organization, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timeliness of payroll processing. This role serves as the subject-matter expert for the Payroll system, leading payroll implementations, system configurations, integrations, and ongoing enhancements. The position also carries project management responsibility for payroll-related initiatives, including acquisitions, system upgrades, and process improvements.Payroll Operations & ComplianceOversee and manage full-cycle payroll processing for salaried, hourly, exempt, and non-exempt employees across multiple states and payroll schedules.Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage-and-hour laws, tax regulations, garnishments, and reporting requirements.Review and approve payroll audits, variance analyses, off-cycle payrolls, and year-end activities (W-2s, corrections, amendments).Establish, document, and enforce payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls.Serve as the escalation point for complex payroll issues, including retroactive pay, corrections, tax discrepancies, and regulatory inquiries.Payroll System OwnershipAct as the functional owner of the Payroll system, including payroll, tax, time & attendance, and integrations.Lead system configuration and maintenance, including pay codes, earnings and deductions, tax setup, workflows, approvals, and security roles.Partner with the Payroll system vendor and internal stakeholders to troubleshoot issues, implement enhancements, and resolve service challenges.Conduct regular system audits to ensure configuration aligns with payroll policies and compliance requirements.Implementations & Configuration ChangesLead or support payroll implementations, including acquisitions, new company setups, system conversions, and parallel payroll testing.Manage payroll configuration changes driven by regulatory updates, benefits changes, and organizational restructuring.Develop testing plans, validate results, and coordinate go-live activities.Ensure proper documentation and post-implementation stabilization.Project Management & Process ImprovementManage payroll-related projects from initiation through completion, including scope, timelines, risks, and deliverables.Collaborate cross-functionally with HR, Finance, Benefits, IT, and external vendors.Identify and implement payroll process improvements through automation and system optimization.Maintain project documentation and status reporting for leadership.Team Leadership & CollaborationManage, coach, and develop payroll staff to ensure accuracy, coverage, and performance accountability.Provide mentoring on advanced payroll topics, compliance matters, and system functionality.Act as a strategic payroll partner to HR and Finance leadership.
