Payroll Manager

WHO WE ARE Lindblad Expeditions is a true pioneer in Expedition Travel. From taking the first citizen explorers to Antarctica in 1966, opening the Galapagos and Easter Island to tourism in 1967, leading the first tourist expedition through the Northwest Passage in 1984, and launching our innovative partnership with National Geographic in 2004, we're now taking almost 30,000 guests a year to some of the world’s most remote and pristine locations on our fleet of 20 ships, and are committed to ensuring our guests experience the “Exhilaration of Discovery”. JOB SUMMARY The Payroll Manager is responsible for leading Lindblad Expeditions' payroll function, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing while continuously improving payroll operations, controls, and employee experience. This role serves as the day-to-day owner of payroll operations and is expected to proactively identify issues, drive resolutions, implement process improvements, and partner closely with Accounting, HR, IT, and external providers. The ideal candidate is a hands‑on payroll leader who enjoys building efficient processes, solving complex problems, and elevating the payroll function beyond transactional processing. This position follows a hybrid work schedule, with an expectation of working onsite in our New York City office three days per week and remotely two days per week. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Lead the end‑to‑end payroll function, ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant payroll processing for all U.S. payrolls. Own all payroll administration activities, including processing payroll related to new hires, terminations, promotions, bonuses, commissions, equity compensation, leave of absence, garnishments, and off‑cycle payrolls. Review, validate, and approve payroll inputs, calculations, reconciliations, and audit reports prior to payroll processing. Serve as the primary escalation point for payroll‑related issues, investigating root causes and driving timely, sustainable resolutions. Continuously evaluate payroll processes, controls, and workflows to improve efficiency, accuracy, scalability, and the employee experience. Partner with HR, IT, and Finance to support payroll system enhancements, testing, implementations, integrations, and upgrades. Develop, maintain, and enhance payroll policies, procedures, documentation, and internal controls to support a scalable payroll function. Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations, wage and hour laws, and company policies. Support internal and external audits by preparing documentation, responding to inquiries, and maintaining compliance with SOX and other internal control requirements. Serve as the payroll subject matter expert for employees, managers, HR, Accounting, Tax, Benefits, and external payroll providers. Stay current on payroll legislation, regulatory changes, and industry best practices, recommending changes as appropriate. Perform other payroll, accounting, and Finance‑related responsibilities as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field. 6+ years of progressive payroll experience, including experience leading payroll operations. Strong understanding of multi‑state payroll processing, payroll taxes, wage and hour requirements, and payroll accounting. Demonstrated experience leading payroll process improvements and implementing operational efficiencies. Experience managing payroll within an integrated HRIS/payroll environment (Rippling, ADP, Dayforce, UKG, or similar). Strong analytical and reconciliation skills with exceptional attention to detail. Advanced Excel skills including Pivot Tables, XLOOKUP, and reconciliation reporting. Experience supporting public company internal controls and SOX compliance preferred. Must be available to work onsite at least 3 days per week in our New York City‑area office. Preferred Qualifications CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) certification. Experience supporting publicly traded companies and SOX compliance. Experience with equity compensation and bonus administration. Experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, or payroll integrations. Experience with payroll accounting, reconciliations, and month‑end close. Experience in hospitality, travel, transportation, or multi‑location organizations. OUR BENEFITS Travel benefits for employees and their family Voyage of Discovery trips for employees to travel as guests Health insurance including Medical, Dental, Vision 401(k) plan with employer match Long-Term Disability, Life & AD&D Insurance Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to be used for out‑of‑pocket medical and dependent care Pre-Tax Commuter Benefit 7‑8 Paid Holidays 1 Floating Holiday Options Up to 15 days of vacation (pro‑rated per anniversary year) Parental Leave Sick/personal days per city & state ordinance Pet Insurance discount $110,000 - $130,000 a year Bonus 7.5% Communication Skills Using the English language, this person must have the ability to read, write, and comprehend policies, legal guidelines, correspondence, and memos. Must also possess the ability to effectively communicate--both in writing and orally--with a professional demeanor. PHYSICAL DEMANDS While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear. The employee will also be required to write and type. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. COMPENSATION STATEMENT Lindblad Expeditions determines the pay for positions using local, national, and industry-specific survey data. We evaluate external equity and the cost of labor/prevailing wage index in the relative marketplace for jobs directly comparable to jobs within our company. Our posted salary range is based on national data and may be refined for a candidate's region/town/cost of living. For new hires, we strive to make competitive offers allowing the new employee room for future growth. Salaries will be based on the applicant’s location, level of experience, education, and specialized knowledge and skills. An employee/candidate with a stronger skill set will receive higher pay. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER STATEMENT At Lindblad Expeditions, we simply could not do our work without the diverse kaleidoscope of humanity that creates and delivers our remarkable offerings across the planet. As a Company that respects and celebrates the inherent diversity in the places we explore, we recognize the need to mirror that same diversity and all the interconnected perspectives within our organization. We are committed to building a community of different genders, races, ages, sexual orientations, chosen identities, and countries of origin where every person brings their whole self to work and whose skills, talents, and abilities are valued. We believe we can explore further and in a more meaningful way by actively creating a more diverse and inclusive organization where everyone feels they belong. Lindblad Expeditions is an equal opportunity employer. Individuals seeking employment at Lindblad Expeditions are considered without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetics, marital status, pregnancy, unemployment status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or veteran status. #J-18808-Ljbffr