Payroll Manager

Payroll Manager

United States - Remote Opportunity

About Us

Temporal is an open source programming model that can simplify code, make applications more reliable, and help developers focus on the important things like delivering features faster. We are on a mission to be the reliable foundation of every developer's toolbox, and are building the team that will make that happen. Our values guide us —they are present in how we show up, make decisions, and work together to make an impact. We're curious, driven, collaborative, genuine and humble. Temporal is growing and we are looking for those who share our values, challenge 'standard' thinking, and want to influence our future. If you have a passion for improving the developer experience, building world-class open-source software and communities, and want to be a part of our amazing team, we'd love to hear from you!

Summary

We're looking for an experienced Payroll Manager to own all things payroll at Temporal. This is a foundational role in our accounting team, reporting to the Controller. You'll oversee all payroll administration activities — maintaining related records, filing tax reports and voluntary deduction reports, processing involuntary deductions such as levies and garnishments, preparing accounting transactions and documents, and building the documentation and procedures that will scale with us. As we establish subsidiaries in the UK, Singapore, Canada, India, and Australia over the next 12 months, you'll be instrumental in standing up compliant payroll operations in each country — working closely with local payroll providers and internal stakeholders to get it right. The ideal candidate brings excellent communication skills, a high level of accuracy, strong attention to detail, and the ability to work both independently and cross-functionally. You're someone who builds structures where none exists and doesn't wait for someone to hand you a playbook.

What You'll Do

US Payroll Operations

• Manage all day-to-day US payroll operations, coordinating with internal teams and external payroll vendors to ensure accurate and timely payroll processing across semi-monthly and bi-weekly cycles for a growing exempt and non-exempt workforce across multiple states
• Prepare payroll input files; process and review payroll outputs to verify accuracy and compliance, confirming all data is properly recorded according to company policies
• Partner with Human Resources on employee compensation, benefits, and disability matters; ensure proper taxation and treatment of employer-paid benefits, including NSOs, RSUs, and 401(k) contributions; maintain knowledge of applicable payroll laws, including state-specific final pay requirements
• Manage payroll inputs including new hires, terminations, compensation changes, bonuses, commissions, relocation payments, leave of absence calculations, domestic partner benefits, group term life insurance, and equity-related events (RSUs, ISO/NSO exercises, disqualifying dispositions)
• Administer benefits-related payroll deductions and ensure compliance with 401(k), FSA, HSA, and other program requirements; audit, reconcile, and fund 401(k) contributions associated with each payroll and resolve discrepancies in real time
• Maintain multi-state payroll tax registrations; ensure timely deposits and filings; manage quarterly tax adjustments and year-end payroll tax reporting; respond to and track federal and state tax notices and amendments
• Oversee quarter-end, W-2 preparation, year-end reconciliations, and resolution of federal and state tax notices
• Act as subject matter expert in US payroll, providing guidance and assistance to team members and internal stakeholders
• Respond to employee inquiries and serve as liaison between employees and third-party providers

International Payroll — Subsidiary Buildout

• Coordinate with local payroll providers across UK, Singapore, Canada, India, and Australia to stand up compliant payroll operations as each entity launches
• Serve as the primary internal point of contact for international payroll vendors — reviewing payroll registers, approving runs, resolving discrepancies, and managing the relationship
• Advise on country-specific payroll requirements (statutory deductions, employer obligations, pay frequency norms) during the subsidiary setup process
• Partner with Finance, Legal, and HR on international onboarding, ensuring payroll is ready when new hires start in each country
• Establish payroll calendars, approval workflows, and escalation procedures for each jurisdiction

Compliance & Controls

• Establish, document, and enforce internal controls in compliance with SOX requirements; support IPO readiness efforts as the company scales
• Oversee internal and external payroll audits and ensure audit readiness, including Workers' Compensation and 401(k) audits
• Establish and execute payroll review and audit procedures, including validation of regular earnings, one-time payments, deductions, and garnishments
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour laws; proactively flag any exposure areas
• Review payroll and tax reporting to ensure accurate and timely filings with appropriate government authorities

Accounting & Month-End Close

• Prepare and post payroll journal entries; reconcile payroll-related GL accounts monthly
• Support the annual audit (currently with EY) by providing payroll schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation
• Assist with equity compensation accounting coordination (Form 3921, W-2 supplemental wage reporting, ASC 718 inputs)
• Complete quarter-end and year-end reconciliations for tax filings and W-2 filings

Systems, Automation & Process

• Maintain and continuously improve Rippling payroll configuration — identify automation opportunities and lead optimization initiatives
• Lead special projects including process improvements, documentation, system integrations, and upgrades or reimplementations of US payroll systems
• Lead automation initiatives and process enhancements within the payroll department, collaborating cross-functionally with HR, IT, Legal, and Accounting to streamline operations and minimize errors
• Maintain thorough payroll documentation and SOPs; document and update procedures on an ongoing basis
• Prepare special reports for management as needed

What You'll Need

• 8+ years of payroll experience, with at least 3 years managing full-cycle US payroll independently

• Deep familiarity with equity compensation processing (RSUs, ISOs, NSOs) and the tax implications at both federal and state levels

• Strong grasp of US payroll tax compliance, including multi-state, supplemental wages, garnishments, and equity-related payroll events

• Exposure to international payroll in at least two of our target countries (UK, Singapore, Canada, India, or Australia) — you don't need to be an expert in all of them, but you need enough familiarity to work effectively with local providers

• Experience working with Rippling (required); experience migrating or configuring payroll systems is a bonus

• Solid Excel/Google Sheets skills; comfortable building reconciliations and schedules from scratch

• Experience supporting a financial statement audit; SOX compliance or IPO readiness exposure is strongly preferred

• Demonstrated ability to thrive in fast-moving, ambiguous environments — you build structure where none exists and don't wait for someone to hand you a playbook

• Excellent customer service and communication skills; collaborative and proactive in working across Finance, HR, Legal, and external vendors

• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills — payroll errors have real consequences, and you take that seriously

• CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) or FPC designation

• Experience with EOR-to-subsidiary transitions internationally

• Familiarity with AI or automation tools applied to payroll workflows (reconciliation, error detection, reporting)

Compensation

• Targeted $180,000-$225,000
• Equity Options: Eligible for stock options as part of Temporal's equity plan

Compensation ranges reflect salary and commission compensation (when applicable) across several geographic markets. Employment offers carefully consider multiple factors, including prior experience, knowledge, expertise, skillset, market location, and job level assessed during the interview process. Employee benefits and perks below are for full-time employees, part-time or temporary positions are excluded.

U.S. Benefits
• Unlimited PTO, 12 Holidays + 2 Floating Holidays
• 100% Premiums Coverage for Medical, Dental, and Vision
• AD&D, LT & ST Disability, and Life Insurance (Standard & Supplemental Available)