Payroll Manager

Payroll Manager

Location: Charlotte, NC (Fully Onsite)

Status: Exempt

About the Opportunity

A growing organization is seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to lead and oversee all payroll operations across a multi-state workforce. This is a highly visible position that will play a key role in strengthening payroll processes, supporting an upcoming system implementation, establishing standard operating procedures, and helping build scalable infrastructure for a rapidly expanding business.

This role is ideal for a hands-on payroll leader who enjoys both strategic process improvement and day-to-day payroll execution. As a smaller organization, the Payroll Manager will maintain direct ownership of the full payroll cycle while also providing leadership to the payroll function.

The position is fully onsite and will require a strong commitment during the initial transition and growth phase. Candidates should be comfortable working beyond a standard 40-hour workweek when business needs dictate.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end payroll processing for a multi-state employee population, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely payroll delivery.
• Serve as the primary payroll subject matter expert for the organization.
• Lead payroll administration for both union and non-union employee groups, including interpretation and application of collective bargaining agreement requirements.
• Review and approve payroll transactions including earnings, deductions, overtime, reimbursements, bonuses, garnishments, and off-cycle payments.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations, wage and hour laws, payroll tax requirements, and other applicable employment regulations.
• Oversee payroll reconciliations, quarter-end and year-end activities, payroll tax reporting, and W-2 processing.
• Research and resolve complex payroll issues, discrepancies, employee inquiries, and compliance-related matters.
• Establish, document, and maintain payroll policies, procedures, and standard operating processes to support future growth.
• Partner closely with Human Resources, Accounting, Finance, Operations, and external vendors to ensure payroll accuracy and operational efficiency.
• Play a significant role in an upcoming payroll system implementation, including process evaluation, testing, training, and change management activities.
• Develop internal controls and process improvements that enhance payroll accuracy, efficiency, and reporting capabilities.
• Create and maintain payroll reports, analytics, and audit documentation.
• Lead and develop the internal payroll function, helping build structure and best practices as the organization continues to expand.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field OR equivalent professional payroll experience.
• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience with increasing responsibility.
• Demonstrated experience managing full-cycle payroll in-house for a multi-state workforce.
• Prior experience overseeing union payroll and interpreting collective bargaining agreement requirements.
• Experience leading or managing an internal payroll team.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including the ability to analyze, reconcile, and audit payroll data.
• Strong understanding of payroll taxes, wage and hour regulations, deductions, garnishments, and payroll compliance requirements.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while meeting strict payroll deadlines.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• High level of professionalism and discretion when handling confidential employee information.

Preferred

• Experience in construction, infrastructure, engineering, utilities, manufacturing, field services, or other project-based environments.
• Experience supporting payroll system implementations or major process transformations.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC).
• Experience with certified payroll, prevailing wage, Davis-Bacon, or project-based labor compliance requirements.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Opportunity to make a significant impact within a growing organization.
• Visible role with ownership of the entire payroll function.
• Chance to help build processes, establish best practices, and create a scalable payroll infrastructure.
• Key participant in a major system implementation initiative.
• Collaborative environment with direct interaction across accounting, HR, leadership, and operations teams.
• Long-term career growth potential as the organization continues to expand.