Payroll Manager

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Payroll Manager to oversee and ensure the accurate and timely processing of payroll across the United States, with responsibility for supporting global payroll operations as required. This role is critical to ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local tax regulations, maintaining operational efficiency, and supporting a best-in-class employee experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Payroll Operations: Manage and process payroll across multiple US states, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with all applicable regulations.
• Payroll Tax & Compliance: Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax requirements, wage and hour laws, garnishments, and reporting obligations.
• Vendor Management: Partner with third-party payroll providers, ensuring service-level agreements and compliance standards are met.
• Process Optimisation: Develop and implement standardised payroll procedures, policies, and systems to improve accuracy, efficiency, and scalability.
• Audit & Reporting: Prepare payroll-related reports for internal stakeholders and support internal and external audits by providing required documentation and responses.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with HR, Finance, Legal, and external partners to ensure alignment on compensation, benefits administration, and statutory compliance.
• Technology & Systems: Lead and support the implementation, integration, and optimisation of payroll systems and HRIS platforms.
• Team Leadership: Manage and develop payroll team members or coordinate with local payroll contacts, ensuring high performance and continuous development.
• Global Payroll Support: Collaborate with international payroll partners to support global payroll governance and consistency where applicable.

Qualifications

• 5-8 years of progressive payroll experience, including at least 3 years in a payroll management or lead capacity.
• Strong knowledge of US payroll practices, including federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations and labour legislation.
• Experience managing multi-state payroll operations.
• Experience with payroll systems such as ADP, Workday Payroll, UKG, Ceridian Dayforce, or similar platforms.
• Strong understanding of payroll controls, audits, and compliance requirements.
• Excellent analytical, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification preferred.

Preferred Attributes

• Experience in a high-growth technology, SaaS, startup, or scale-up environment.
• Experience supporting global payroll operations in partnership with international providers.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and payroll reporting tools.
• Experience with HRIS integrations and payroll transformation projects.