Payroll Manager

Location: On-site Springfield, MO Office (with ability to support teams across TX, MO, NM, IL, KS, IN and 30+ remote work states) Department: Employee Relations, Payroll & Benefits Reports To: Executive Director of Employee Relations, Payroll & Benefits About the Role We're seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to lead payroll operations for a growing, multi-state healthcare organization with more than 8,000 employees. This role oversees a team of five Payroll Specialists and is responsible for ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely payroll while driving process improvements and supporting cross-functional teams. Leadership & Team Management Lead, coach, and develop a team of five Payroll Specialists. Establish workflows, training, quality standards, and accountability. Partner with HR, Finance, Scheduling, Clinical Operations, and Employee Relations to support payroll operations. Payroll Operations Oversee multi-state payroll for hourly, salaried, clinical, remote, and specialized employees. Validate payroll data from UKG, seven EMRs, timekeeping, and scheduling systems. Ensure compliance with wage and hour laws, overtime, shift differentials, on-call pay, bonuses, mileage, multi-rate pay, and state-specific regulations. Manage payroll taxes, garnishments, benefit deductions, year-end reporting, audits, and payroll controls. Systems & Process Improvement Serve as the payroll lead for UKG and partner with HRIS to resolve issues and improve workflows. Identify and implement process improvements, automation, and efficiencies. Support system upgrades and integrations between UKG and other payroll-related systems. Compliance & Audit Ensure compliance with federal, state, local, Medicare, Medicaid, and healthcare payroll regulations. Support internal and external audits by providing documentation and implementing corrective actions. Partner with Employee Relations on complex payroll matters. Reporting & Stakeholder Support Provide payroll reports and data to leadership, Finance, and regulatory agencies. Support reimbursement, cost reporting, and compliance initiatives. Qualifications Bachelor's degree preferred in Accounting, Finance, Business, HR, or related field. 5+ years of payroll experience with 3+ years in a leadership role. Multi-state, high-volume payroll experience required; healthcare experience preferred. Strong knowledge of UKG or similar payroll systems (ADP, Workday, Viventium a plus). Knowledge of payroll taxes, wage and hour laws, garnishments, audits, and compliance. Advanced Excel skills, including PivotTables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, and macros. Strong leadership, communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills. What We Offer Competitive pay and comprehensive benefits Medical, dental, vision, and retirement plans Generous PTO and paid holidays Supportive, mission-driven culture Opportunity to lead payroll operations for a growing healthcare organization #J-18808-Ljbffr