Payroll Manager & Retirement Manager - Restaurant Group | #ZDC

Payroll Manager

A growing multi-unit organization is seeking an experienced Payroll & Retirement Manager to oversee payroll operations, retirement plan administration, HRIS management, compliance, and payroll accounting functions for a large, geographically dispersed workforce.

This role reports directly to the Director of Finance and serves as a critical partner to Finance, Human Resources, Operations, and Information Technology. The organization is currently implementing a new HRIS platform, creating a unique opportunity for a payroll professional who enjoys building processes, improving systems, and driving operational excellence.

The ideal candidate will bring strong payroll leadership experience, exceptional attention to detail, a collaborative management style, and experience supporting complex, multi-state employee populations.

What You'll Do

Payroll Leadership & Administration

• Lead payroll operations for a workforce ranging from approximately 1,000 to 2,000 employees across multiple locations and states.
• Oversee payroll processing for hourly, salaried, tipped, seasonal, and retail employee populations.
• Partner with the Payroll Specialist/HRIS Administrator to ensure accurate and timely payroll execution.
• Conduct weekly payroll reviews to ensure accuracy, compliance, and operational effectiveness.
• Serve as backup payroll processor when necessary.
• Manage payroll deductions, garnishments, benefit contributions, retirement deductions, and employer matching programs.

HRIS Ownership & System Administration

• Serve as the primary payroll stakeholder for HRIS administration and optimization.
• Support a large-scale HRIS implementation and ongoing system enhancements.
• Act as the primary liaison with HRIS vendors and external support teams.
• Maintain system configuration, workflow integrity, reporting accuracy, and data quality.
• Identify opportunities for automation, efficiency improvements, and process standardization.

Payroll Accounting & Financial Reporting

• Prepare payroll-related journal entries, accruals, reclassifications, and adjustments.
• Maintain and reconcile payroll-related balance sheet accounts.
• Ensure accurate general ledger mapping and payroll allocations across multiple business units.
• Support month-end close activities and payroll reporting requirements.
• Research and resolve reconciliation variances in a timely manner.

Retirement Plan Administration

• Oversee administration of retirement savings programs, including employee contributions and employer matching.
• Coordinate with third-party administrators, auditors, legal advisors, and internal stakeholders.
• Support annual compliance testing, plan administration, participant communications, and required filings.
• Ensure timely and accurate processing of retirement-related payroll activities.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations.
• Monitor changing wage and hour laws and payroll tax requirements across multiple jurisdictions.
• Prepare and review compliance reporting, audits, and required government filings.
• Ensure payroll policies, procedures, and controls are maintained and continuously improved.

Team Leadership

• Directly supervise and develop a Payroll Specialist/HRIS Administrator.
• Provide coaching, support, and performance management.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as a trusted resource for payroll-related questions across the organization.

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or related field.
• 5-7+ years of payroll, retirement plan administration, or related experience.
• Minimum of 2-3 years of direct people management experience.
• Experience managing payroll for organizations with approximately 800-2,000+ employees.
• Strong knowledge of multi-state payroll administration and compliance.
• Experience supporting multiple pay structures, including hourly, salaried, and tipped employees.
• Strong understanding of payroll accounting, reconciliations, journal entries, and general ledger processes.
• Experience with HRIS and payroll systems.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting hospitality, restaurant, hotel, retail, healthcare, manufacturing, or other high-volume workforce environments.
• Experience participating in HRIS implementations or system conversions.
• Knowledge of retirement plan administration and ERISA compliance.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification preferred.

Who You Are

• A proven people leader who can step into a supervisory role immediately.
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail.
• Comfortable managing multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
• Calm under pressure and solutions-oriented.
• Analytical and process-driven, with a passion for accuracy.
• An effective communicator who builds strong relationships across departments.
• Adaptable and comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Someone who takes ownership and accountability for delivering results.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• Competitive compensation package.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Retirement savings opportunities with employer contributions.
• Generous paid time off, holiday, and personal time programs.
• Hybrid work flexibility following successful onboarding and training.
• Opportunity to play a key role in a major HRIS transformation initiative.
• Growing organization with multiple business units and continued expansion plans.
• Collaborative culture focused on operational excellence, employee development, and long-term success.

If you're a payroll professional who enjoys balancing compliance, systems, leadership, and process improvement while supporting a large and growing workforce, we'd love to hear from you.