Payroll Manager

A growing multi-location organization is seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to lead and oversee all aspects of payroll operations across a multi-state workforce. This is a highly visible leadership role responsible for ensuring payroll accuracy, compliance, process improvement, and team development while supporting a rapidly expanding business.

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in multi-state payroll administration, payroll tax compliance, and payroll operations, coupled with strong leadership skills and a hands-on approach to problem-solving.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Operations

• Manage end-to-end payroll processing for exempt and non-exempt employees across multiple states and locations.
• Review payroll inputs, calculations, approvals, and final payroll outputs to ensure accuracy and timeliness.
• Administer and reconcile payroll deductions, benefits, garnishments, retirement contributions, and tax withholdings.
• Resolve payroll discrepancies, employee inquiries, and payroll corrections in a timely manner.
• Maintain payroll records, direct deposit information, and employee payroll data.

Compliance & Tax Administration

• Oversee multi-state payroll tax compliance, including withholding, unemployment taxes, tax registrations, and year-end reporting.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations and wage-and-hour laws.
• Research, identify, and resolve payroll tax notices and compliance issues.
• Monitor regulatory changes and implement necessary payroll process updates.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Develop and maintain payroll controls, audits, reconciliations, and standard operating procedures.
• Drive payroll process improvements and support scalable solutions for organizational growth.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for payroll and timekeeping systems, including system configuration, testing, and issue resolution.
• Prepare payroll reporting and support internal and external audit activities.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead, mentor, and develop payroll staff while establishing performance expectations and service standards.
• Partner closely with Human Resources, Finance, Operations, and other departments to ensure accurate payroll administration.
• Support month-end and year-end close activities, payroll reconciliations, and financial reporting requirements.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of employee and payroll information.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, Business, Human Resources, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification preferred.

Experience

• 7+ years of progressive payroll experience, including direct multi-state payroll processing.
• 3+ years of leadership or people management experience.
• Demonstrated experience with payroll tax compliance, audits, process improvements, and payroll operations in a multi-location environment.
• Experience supporting a growing organization preferred.
• Prior experience in retail, hospitality, fitness, healthcare, or other multi-site industries is a plus.

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of payroll tax regulations, FLSA requirements, and multi-state payroll compliance.
• Experience with payroll and human capital management systems;
  Paycom experience is highly preferred.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience with payroll reporting, audits, and reconciliations.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational abilities.

What We're Looking For

• Hands-on payroll expertise with exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong leadership and accountability mindset.
• Ability to build relationships and collaborate across departments.
• Excellent communication skills and professional judgment.
• Proven ability to improve processes and create scalable payroll operations.