Payroll Manager

WHO WE ARE

Third Plateau is an impact consultancy partnering with philanthropy, nonprofits, and communities to build the infrastructure of change. We are one of Fast Company's Best Workplaces for Innovators!

OUR APPROACH

Third Plateau is built on a simple premise: creating lasting social good requires more than good intentions. Society’s most complex challenges are deeply rooted, interconnected, and resistant to quick fixes.

Philanthropists, foundations, and nonprofit leaders know this and are up for the challenge, bringing their passions and ambitions day in and day out. To realize that potential, they’re looking for a partner who brings the experience to design great strategies and the capacity to see them through. Third Plateau was built exactly for this work. Interested applicants are encouraged to learn more about our and our .

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Reporting to the Division Lead, the Payroll Manager ensures accurate, timely, and compliant payroll operations while serving as a trusted resource to our nonprofit clients. This role demands strong organizational skills, sound judgment under deadline pressure, and the discretion to handle sensitive financial and employee information.

We're looking for someone detail-driven and client-focused who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Please note that employee relations, policy interpretation, benefits advice, benefit enrollment, plan administration and HR and employment decision-making remain outside the scope of this role.

Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Payroll Processing & Compliance

• Manage accurate and timely payroll processing for assigned client entities across multiple payroll platforms, pay frequencies, and state jurisdictions.
• Ensure documented client approval is obtained prior to each payroll submission, communicating client-specific cutoffs, proactively following up on missing information, and escalating late approvals before they jeopardize payroll deadlines.
• Review payroll registers and exception reports for accuracy
• Coordinate and monitor payroll tax filings and notices across local, state, county, and municipal jurisdictions.
• Maintain payroll systems, leading new hire payroll set up, tax form processing, local tax set-up, timekeeping input, termination processing, and garnishment processing.

Payroll Deduction Reconciliation

• Perform payroll reconciliations (payroll to GL and tax filings)
• Track and reconcile benefit deductions and employer contributions
• Reconcile benefits invoices to payroll
• Coordinate with brokers and providers
• Collect timesheet and PTO data from employees to ensure accurate payroll inputs. Please note: This role will only communicate directly with employees about routine payroll inputs and questions, not HR matters.

Year-End & Reporting

• Coordinate and review W-2 processing and related filings
• Support year-end payroll reconciliations and reporting requirements

Retirement Plan and Workers’ Comp Support

• Coordinate with external providers on completion of Form 5500
• Provide required payroll data and ensure internal consistency with filings
• Conduct final review of payroll processed by client staff, confirming completeness and alignment with payroll records prior to submission of retirement contributions
• Prepare and provide payroll reports for workers’ compensation audits
• Support classification tracking and annual audit processes
• Process retirement plan contributions and record those transactions in applicable accounting software.

Employee Lifecycle Controls (Process Oversight)

• Support new hire, change in pay, and termination data entry into payroll systems
• Ensure pay rates, classifications, and changes are properly documented and client-approved
• Confirm proper timing of final pay in coordination with applicable state requirements

Systems & Data Integrity

• Maintain accuracy of payroll system configurations and GL mappings
• Maintain a master payroll calendar, client-specific processing checklists and standard operating procedures, approval records, secure credentials, and documented backup procedures
• Support payroll system implementations or transitions

Audit & Compliance Support

• Provide payroll-related schedules and documentation for audits and grant reporting
• Track deadlines and ensure timely completion of payroll-related compliance items
• Ensure confidentiality, data security, issue tracking, and timely escalation of payroll discrepancies and risks across multiple client accounts

Ad Hoc Support

• Respond to client questions on payroll data and processes (not HR policy interpretation)

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

• 5+ years of payroll experience
• Multi-state/multi-entity payroll processing experience
• Proficiency with at least two payroll platforms (e.g., ADP, Paycom, QBO)
• Strong understanding of payroll best practices, including reconciliation, audit procedures, and quality assurance, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills to manage complex, multi-jurisdictional payroll calculations and system transitions
• Strong Excel skills
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy, with excellent organizational and time management skills to manage multiple payrolls, projects, and deadlines
• Experience developing and documenting payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to handle sensitive employee payroll matters with patience and discretion, and to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and external stakeholders

Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet, women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend to only apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you're new to this field, returning to work after a gap in employment, looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career, we would be glad to have you on our radar.

At Third Plateau, we believe in the power of diverse teams. In our recruiting efforts, we always seek to reach a broad and diverse pool of applicants to ensure our final candidates are not a homogeneous group in terms of demographics or experience. You can read more about our commitment to Equity & Belonging here. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds. Third Plateau is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to their race, color, age, religious creed, sexual orientation, or other personal characteristics.

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