Payroll Operations Manager

Payroll Operations Manager

We are seeking an experienced Payroll Operations Manager to lead the payroll function for Ace Electric, a large, multi-state employer operating in a fast-paced construction environment. This is an opportunity for a strong payroll leader to oversee complex payroll operations, develop a high-performing team, improve processes, and help strengthen the systems and controls that support a growing organization.

Reporting to the Controller, the Payroll Operations Manager will work closely with Accounting, Human Resources, MIS, Operations, and field leadership to ensure payroll is accurate, timely, compliant, and aligned with business and project requirements.

This is a strategic payroll leadership role focused on operational excellence, compliance, system optimization, reporting, controls, and team development—not serving as the primary processor of weekly payroll.

What You'll Do

• Lead, coach, supervise, and develop payroll team members.
• Oversee payroll operations for a large, multi-state workforce.
• Ensure payroll is processed accurately, timely, and in compliance with applicable requirements.
• Monitor payroll workflows, deadlines, issue resolution, reporting, audits, and service levels.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll laws, wage and hour requirements, payroll taxes, garnishments, deductions, and recordkeeping standards.
• Oversee certified payroll and Davis-Bacon compliance, including prevailing wages, worker classifications, fringe benefits, reporting, documentation, and audit readiness.
• Partner with Accounting, Human Resources, Operations, and project teams to align payroll information with job costing, labor burden, project reporting, and financial requirements.
• Support construction payroll processes, including cost codes, project-based labor tracking, per diem, overtime, shift differentials, certified payroll, and prevailing wage reporting.
• Strengthen controls related to timekeeping, pay changes, deductions, adjustments, off-cycle payments, and final pay.
• Track payroll metrics, processing timelines, error trends, recurring issues, and service levels.
• Lead process improvements that enhance accuracy, efficiency, compliance, reporting, and employee service.
• Support payroll system administration, reporting, data integrity, and optimization.
• Serve as the escalation point for complex payroll matters, employee concerns, compliance questions, and system or process issues.
• Support payroll reconciliations, labor cost reporting, general ledger interfaces, month-end close, audits, and year-end activities.
• Maintain confidential, accurate, and audit-ready payroll records.

What You'll Bring

Required Qualifications

• At least five years of progressive payroll experience.
• At least two years of payroll leadership, supervision, team lead, or payroll process ownership experience.
• Experience with certified payroll and Davis-Bacon requirements.
• Strong knowledge of multi-state payroll, payroll taxes, wage and hour requirements, deductions, garnishments, timekeeping, reporting, and payroll controls.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, improve processes, resolve complex issues, and manage competing deadlines.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Construction payroll experience.
• Experience with Viewpoint Spectrum by Trimble.
• Experience supporting a large, multi-state workforce.
• Experience with job costing, labor burden, prevailing wage reporting, and project-based payroll.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to remain seated and work at a computer for prolonged periods.
• Ability to communicate effectively by phone, email, video conference, and in person.
• Ability to read, review, and interpret information on paper and computer screens, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English sufficiently to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 15 pounds.

Ace Electric is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.