Payroll Manager - Chicago (Hybrid) - ~$170K +Bonus

Payroll Manager

Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid – 2–3 days per week in the office)

Salary: $150-170,000+Bonus

JGA are exclusively partnered with a leading US organization to hire a Payroll Manager to lead day-to-day US payroll operations across multiple states.

Most of their recent project work to establish the new payroll function is complete. The priority now is to keep payroll running accurately and on time, develop the team, and strengthen day-to-day controls. You’ll also support the remaining payroll projects and make improvements to systems and processes as the function settles into its new operating model.

Role Overview

You’ll take hands-on ownership of end-to-end US payroll, lead a small team, and serve as the main point of contact for payroll escalations. You’ll work closely with HR, Finance, and external vendors to resolve issues, meet compliance requirements, and provide a reliable payroll service to employees.

Payroll Manager – Key Responsibilities

• Manage the full US multi-state payroll cycle, from reviewing inputs and resolving exceptions through to final payroll review and sign-off.
• Lead, coach, and develop a small payroll team, setting clear responsibilities and ensuring coverage across each pay cycle.
• Oversee payroll controls, reconciliations, reporting, and audit activity.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax and wage requirements.
• Partner with HR, Finance, and external vendors to resolve payroll issues and address recurring problems.
• Support remaining payroll projects, including system enhancements, testing, and process improvements.

Payroll Manager – Skills & Experience Required

• Proven experience managing end-to-end US multi-state payroll operations.
• Strong working knowledge of US payroll compliance, payroll tax, and wage and hour requirements.
• Experience leading and developing a payroll team while staying hands-on with delivery and issue resolution.
• Strong payroll controls, reconciliation, and reporting experience.
• Ability to work effectively with HR, Finance, and external payroll providers.
• Experience supporting payroll system changes or process improvement projects.

Why this role?

You’ll have direct ownership of US payroll delivery and the autonomy to develop your team and improve how the function operates. There’s also scope to stay involved in project work as the business completes the remaining changes.

If you’re a hands-on payroll leader who enjoys running a reliable operation and making it better, we’d love to hear from you.

JGA are dedicated to delivering the best possible candidate experience. Due to the high volume of applications, we regret that we are not always able to respond to every individual applicant. If your application is shortlisted, a member of our team will be in touch. Thank you for your understanding.

JGA Recruitment Group Ltd ("We") are committed to equality of opportunity for all applications regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships. We strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply. We are also committed to protecting and respecting your privacy.

We are a specialist Payroll and HR recruitment agency and recruitment business as defined in the Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003 (our business). These statements together with our privacy notices set out the basis on which any personal data we collect from you, or that you provide to us, will be processed by us.