Payroll Manager

Payroll Manager

We are seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to lead a high-volume payroll operation within a large, multi-state organization. This is a hands-on leadership opportunity for someone who combines strong technical payroll expertise with the ability to coach, develop, and hold a team accountable.

The ideal candidate understands end-to-end payroll processing , has significant experience working within UKG , and is comfortable operating in a complex environment with large employee populations, multiple states, aggressive deadlines, and a high volume of payroll data.

This person will serve as a key partner to the Payroll Director and must be capable of stepping in, troubleshooting issues, validating payroll, and leading the function independently when needed.

Key Responsibilities:

Payroll Operations & Validation

• Oversee accurate and timely processing of high-volume, multi-state payrolls.
• Review and validate payroll prior to finalization, identifying discrepancies such as missed payments, bonuses, severance, overpayments, deductions, and terminated employees.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the complete payroll lifecycle and step into hands-on processing when business needs require.
• Research complex payroll issues, identify root causes, and drive timely resolution.
• Ensure payroll processes comply with applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Monitor payroll deadlines, workload, and overtime to ensure consistent execution.

Team Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Payroll Processors.
• Establish clear performance expectations, goals, and accountability.
• Conduct performance reviews and provide timely, constructive feedback.
• Manage workload distribution and ensure the team is appropriately aligned around payroll deadlines.
• Address performance concerns and team conflicts professionally and effectively.
• Develop team members' technical payroll knowledge and problem-solving capabilities.

Systems, Reporting & Process Improvement

• Utilize UKG to manage, review, and troubleshoot end-to-end payroll processing.
• Analyze large volumes of payroll data using Excel to identify errors, trends, and discrepancies.
• Partner with HR, HRIS, Finance, and other business functions to resolve payroll and system-related issues.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen controls, streamline processes, and improve payroll accuracy and efficiency.
• Support payroll audits, reconciliations, reporting, and compliance initiatives.

Leadership Partnership

• Serve as a trusted partner to the Payroll Director and senior leadership.
• Provide payroll expertise and guidance to employees, managers, and business leaders.
• Step in for the Payroll Director when needed and independently manage payroll priorities and team operations.
• Communicate payroll issues, risks, and resolutions clearly and professionally.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience with demonstrated end-to-end payroll processing expertise .
• Previous experience directly managing and developing payroll professionals.
• Hands-on UKG payroll experience required.
• Experience supporting a large, high-volume payroll environment ; experience with employee populations in the thousands strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of multi-state payroll regulations and compliance.
• Proven experience reviewing, auditing, and validating payroll prior to processing.
• Strong Excel skills, including filters, PivotTables, and analyzing large datasets.
• Experience with time-and-attendance systems such as UKG WFM, UTA, or similar platforms.
• Excellent analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact effectively at all levels of an organization.
• Exceptional attention to detail, organization, and ability to meet aggressive deadlines.

What We're Looking For

• Hands-on Leader: Willing and able to jump into payroll processing rather than managing solely from a distance.
• Strong Payroll Technician: Understands how payroll works from beginning to end and can identify when something doesn't look right.
• Analytical: Comfortable digging into large datasets and troubleshooting discrepancies.
• Proactive: Anticipates issues and takes ownership before they become larger payroll problems.
• People-Focused Leader: Able to coach, develop, provide feedback, and hold a team accountable.
• Calm Under Pressure: Comfortable managing aggressive payroll deadlines and competing priorities.
• Strong Communicator: Confident partnering with employees, managers, HR, HRIS, and senior leadership.

Why This Opportunity?

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced payroll leader who wants to remain close to the technical side of payroll while developing and leading a team . You'll have significant ownership within a large, complex payroll environment and serve as a key partner to senior payroll leadership while helping strengthen processes, controls, and overall payroll performance.