Payroll Manager

About the Role Our clientis seeking -an experienced Payroll Manager to lead end-to-end payroll operations across our domestic and Australia workforce of over 1,500 employees. In this role, you will own the accuracy and compliance of our payroll function — including equity transactions, SOX controls, and multi-state tax obligations — while driving automation initiatives and serving as the company's subject matter expert on payroll accounting, tax, and regulatory requirements. You will work closely with Finance, HR, Legal, and third‑party agencies to ensure timely, accurate, and compliant payroll delivery at scale. Key Responsibilities Payroll Operations & Workday Prepare and process end-to-end multi-state payrolls for 1,500+ employees using Workday Payroll Process and submit employee equity transactions and related tax withholding through Workday Payroll Partner with HRIS and IT teams to manage Workday system updates, testing, and enhancements. Manage day-to-day payroll activities and resolve payroll-related discrepancies in a timely manner. Serve as the primary point of escalation for Workday payroll issues and employee inquiries. Payroll Accounting Prepare and review payroll journal entries, reconciliations, and general ledger postings. Collaborate with the Accounting team to ensure accurate recording of payroll expenses, accruals, and liabilities. Support month-end and year-end close activities, including W-2 processing and payroll-related account reconciliations. Payroll Tax & Compliance Ensure accurate calculation, withholding, remittance, and reporting of federal, state, and local payroll taxes. Manage W-2, W-2c, and other year-end tax filings and reconciliations. Ensure compliance with payroll SOX controls and maintain current knowledge of applicable federal and state regulations. Responding to inquiries from employees, HR, Accounting, government agencies, and third‑party vendors utilizing knowledge of policies, procedures, and legislation Conduct audits of data changes and requests to ensure compliance with company policy and practices. Oversee multi-state payroll tax registrations and respond to tax agency notices and audits. Maintain detailed payroll records and audit-ready documentation. Ensure the integrity and accuracy of all payroll remittances and reporting. Time, Attendance & Employee Data Manage time and attendance workflow to ensure all timesheets, time‑off requests, and payroll data is received timely and accurate, complete, and compliant with state and federal standards. Partner with Legal and HR to ensure compliance with garnishments, levies, and other mandated deductions. Monitor and implement regulatory changes impacting payroll operations, including FLSA and state-specific wage and hour laws. Technology, Automation & AI Identify opportunities to streamline and automate payroll processes, reducing manual effort and error risk. Lead or support payroll technology projects including system integrations, upgrades, and process redesigns. Leverage AI tools (e.g., Claude, Gemini or similar) to enhance payroll reporting, drafting, research, and workflow efficiency Identify opportunities to apply AI-assisted automation to reduce manual effort in data validation, reconciliation, and exception handling Qualifications 8+ years of experience processing end-to-end payroll and equity transactions Hands‑on expertise with Workday Payroll. Strong knowledge of payroll accounting principles, SOX controls, and general ledger reconciliation. In‑depth understanding of federal and multi-state payroll tax compliance and wage and hour laws. Proven year‑end close experience including W-2 and W-2c processing in Workday and ADP Smart Compliance. High proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 and G‑Suite (Excel, Google Sheets) Ability to work independently with general supervision, prioritize effectively, and meet tight deadlines. Strong attention to detail, self‑motivation, and ability to manage confidential material with discretion. Excellent verbal and written communication skills with commitment to customer service and ownership #J-18808-Ljbffr