Benefits Manager

Payroll Manager

Position Type: Full Time Exempt

Hybrid Flexible (work in the office for 3 days, as needed, on a flexible schedule, typically Tuesday to Thursday.) Schedule (range between 8 AM (PST) to 6 PM (PST))

Location: Los Angeles

Residency Requirements:

Washington D.C.: For all positions based in the Washington, D.C. office, residency within Washington D.C., Maryland or Virginia and within a reasonable commutable distance to the assigned office is required depending on the firm's discretion and the nature of the role.

Los Angeles and San Francisco Offices: For all positions based in the Los Angeles and San Francisco offices, residency within the state of California and within a reasonable commutable distance to the assigned office is required depending on the firm's discretion and the nature of the role.

Salary Range: $140,000.00 - $160,000.00 annually *

* The salary range is the one that Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP reasonably expects to pay for this position. The salary range does not guarantee, obligate, nor set expectations of an applicant's wage in the event of hire. The posted range is only one component of Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP's Total Rewards package.

The Payroll Manager is responsible for the leadership, administration, compliance, and continuous improvement of the Firm's payroll operations. Reporting to the Director of Finance, the Payroll Manager oversees all payroll activities ensuring accurate and timely processing, regulatory compliance, and adherence to internal controls.

The Payroll Manager serves as the Firm's subject matter expert for payroll administration, payroll taxation, timekeeping, payroll systems, and related compliance matters. This role leads the Payroll team and partners closely with Human Resources, Benefits, Finance, and external vendors to ensure operational excellence and exceptional employee service.

In partnership with Finance and Human Resources, the Payroll Manager drives process improvement initiatives, leverages technology and reporting tools to increase efficiency and accuracy, develops and maintains effective internal controls, minimizes organizational risk, and provides strategic payroll support to Firm leadership.

Job Functions & Responsibilities

PAYROLL OPERATIONS

• Oversees and manages all aspects of the Firm's payroll operations, ensuring accurate and timely processing of semi-monthly payrolls.
• Directs payroll activities related to salaries, bonuses, supplemental compensation, benefits deductions, expense reimbursements, garnishments, taxes, retirement contributions, and other payroll-related transactions.
• Reviews and approves payroll registers, audit reports, and reconciliations prior to payroll transmission.
• Ensures timely and accurate processing of payroll changes, including new hires, terminations, promotions, compensation changes, leaves of absence, tax and retirement elections, and other payroll related transactions.
• Oversees timekeeping administration and ensures accurate reporting of hours worked, overtime, vacation, sick and leave balances, as applicable.
• Maintains payroll records and documentation in accordance with applicable legal, regulatory, and Firm requirements.

COMPLIANCE & RISK MANAGEMENT

• Manages payroll audits, tax notices, inquiries, and internal and external reporting requirements.
• Develops, implements, and maintains payroll controls and audit procedures to safeguard and minimize risk.
• Conducts periodic reviews of payroll processes to identify compliance concerns, control weaknesses, and operational risks.

REPORTING, ANALYTICS & FINANCE SUPPORT

• Designs and maintains complex payroll analysis, reconciliations, and reporting models utilizing advanced Excel functionality including VLOOKUP, formulas and pivot tables.
• Prepares payroll-related analyses relating to compensation, taxes, benefits, headcount, and labor costs.
• Partners with Finance to ensure timely and accurate payroll journal entries, accruals, account reconciliations, and financial reporting.
• Supports budgeting, forecasting, and compensation-related reporting activities.
• Provides payroll-related schedules, reports, and support for audits and reviews.

SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATION & PROCESS IMPROVEMENT

• Serves as the primary system owner and subject matter expert for ADP Workforce Now, ADP Workforce Manager, and related payroll technologies.
• Partners with Human Resources and other stakeholders to support and optimize Workday integrations and payroll-related system functionality.
• Oversees payroll system configurations, testing, upgrades, enhancements, implementations, and change management initiatives.
• Ensures data integrity between payroll, HRIS, timekeeping, benefits, and accounting systems.
• Identifies opportunities for automation, process improvements, and enhanced process efficiencies and practices to increase efficiency and reduce risk.
• Develops and maintains standard operating procedures and payroll process documentation.

LEADERSHIP & TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Leads, develops, coaches, and evaluates payroll staff through performance management, mentoring, training, and professional development.
• Establishes departmental goals, priorities, service standards, and performance expectations.
• Allocates work across the payroll team to ensure efficiency, accuracy, timely service delivery, and employee development.
• Creates cross-training opportunities and succession plans to ensure continuity of payroll operations.

CUSTOMER SERVICE & BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP

• Serves as the primary escalation point for complex payroll-related issues and inquiries.
• Builds and maintains strong working relationships with Human Resources, Benefits, Finance, and external payroll vendors.
• Maintains a high level of confidentiality and professionalism when handling sensitive employee information.
• Performs other duties and special projects as assigned.

Tools

• ADP Products (ADP Workforce Now, ADP Workforce Manager, GLI) and Workday
• Financial and accounting systems
• Microsoft Office Suite including advanced Microsoft Excel

Minimum Job Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or related discipline preferred. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Seven (7) or more years of progressively responsible payroll experience including multi-state payroll administration.
• Five (5) or more years managing a team with a demonstrated ability to roll-up sleeves and work with team members in a hands-on management capacity.
• Experience supporting payroll operations within a law firm, professional services, accounting, consulting, or similarly complex organization preferred.
• Experience with ADP products including Workforce Manager, Workforce Now and GLI.
• Experience with Workday HRIS and payroll-related integrations strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting payroll system implementations, upgrades, testing, and process improvements strongly preferred.
• Strong Microsoft Excel proficiency required, including Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP, SUMIFS, data validation, reconciliations, and analysis of large data sets.
• Deep knowledge of payroll taxation, wage and hour compliance, garnishments, retirement plan deductions, leave-related pay requirements, and multi-state payroll laws.
• Strong knowledge of IRS regulations, payroll reporting requirements, and taxation rules related to employee compensation and benefits.
• Demonstrated ability to leverage data to identify trends, evaluate risks, develop actionable recommendations, and support informed business and operational decision making.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to clearly articulate ideas, information and recommendations.
• Excellent customer service skills to effectively manage expectations and build internal and external relationships.
• Ability to recognize when to delegate tasks to other team members, individuals in other departments or vendors, and manage projects and processes to successful completion.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively and propose improvements, recommendations and solutions.

Physical Demands

Writing, typing, reading, speaking, hearing, seeing, sitting

Working Conditions

Quiet office environment in a high-rise building, seated the majority of the time

Direct Reports

Payroll Specialist

Competencies

• Communicates effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the subject matter and the unique needs of different audiences.
• Being resilient: Rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations.
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