Payroll Manager

Payroll Manager Job Description

Overview

We believe work should be more than just a job — it should be an opportunity to build a meaningful future. As part of an employee-owned organization, every team member plays a role in the company’s success and shares in the value created through teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.

The Payroll Manager is responsible for leading payroll operations, ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing, maintaining compliance with applicable regulations, and improving payroll systems and processes. This role serves as the payroll subject matter expert and partners closely with Human Resources, Accounting, Operations, and leadership to support compensation programs, benefits administration, employee data accuracy, and the overall employee experience.

This position requires a strong payroll leader with experience in multi-location payroll, certified payroll, payroll compliance, reporting, audits, and team development.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Leadership & Administration

• Manage payroll staff and oversee full-cycle payroll processing for multiple locations.
• Ensure timely and accurate processing of regular payroll, bonuses, commissions, incentives, reimbursements, deductions, and other compensation-related payments.
• Review payroll data, reconciliations, adjustments, and approvals prior to final processing.
• Establish, maintain, and improve payroll policies, procedures, workflows, and internal controls.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for payroll-related questions, issues, and resolution.
• Ensure payroll operations align with company policies, quality standards, and internal procedures.
• Attend required internal meetings and actively support company-wide initiatives.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour laws.
• Oversee payroll tax compliance, reporting, reconciliations, and related filings.
• Manage wage garnishments, child support orders, tax levies, and other payroll deductions.
• Maintain accurate, confidential, and audit-ready payroll records and documentation.
• Monitor regulatory changes and implement updates to payroll processes as needed.
• Support internal controls and risk management related to payroll processing and reporting.

Certified Payroll & Government Reporting

• Oversee the preparation, review, and submission of certified payroll reports.
• Ensure compliance with prevailing wage requirements and government contract reporting obligations.
• Partner with Operations, Project Management, and Accounting teams to gather and verify required payroll information.
• Manage payroll-related reporting tied to contractual, state, federal, or project-specific requirements.

Compensation Support

• Support compensation administration, including salary changes, incentives, bonuses, and compensation analysis.
• Partner with HR leadership to ensure payroll accuracy related to new hires, promotions, transfers, terminations, leaves, and compensation changes.
• Assist with annual compensation planning, budgeting, forecasting, and workforce planning.
• Support initiatives that enhance the employee experience and improve payroll service delivery.

Systems, Reporting & Analytics

• Serve as the administrator and subject matter expert for payroll and HRIS systems.
• Lead payroll system improvements, automation efforts, and process optimization initiatives.
• Develop and maintain payroll reports, dashboards, and workforce analytics.
• Analyze payroll trends, labor costs, overtime, headcount changes, and other workforce metrics.
• Support internal and external audits by providing accurate reporting and documentation.
• Maintain data integrity across payroll, HRIS, timekeeping, and accounting systems.

Leadership & Team Development

• Supervise, coach, and develop payroll team members.
• Establish performance expectations and provide ongoing feedback and training.
• Promote a culture of accuracy, accountability, confidentiality, customer service, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with HR, Accounting, Operations, and leadership to resolve issues and improve payroll processes.

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum of 15 years of progressive payroll experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of payroll leadership or supervisory experience.
• Experience managing payroll operations in a multi-location environment.
• Extensive experience with certified payroll reporting.
• Strong knowledge of wage and hour laws, payroll tax requirements, and payroll compliance.
• Advanced proficiency with payroll systems and Microsoft Excel.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and follow-through.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills.
• Ability to understand and follow company policies, procedures, and applicable laws.

Preferred

• Experience with Paycom.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation.
• Experience supporting employee-owned or ESOP organizations.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field.
• Experience supporting compensation and benefits administration.

Education Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED with related office or payroll experience; or
• Associate degree from an accredited college with relevant work experience; or
• Equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Key Skills

• Payroll Expertise
• Certified Payroll
• Compliance & Risk Management
• Payroll Tax Reporting
• Leadership & Team Development
• Attention to Detail
• Analytical Thinking
• Process Improvement
• Customer Service
• Collaboration
• Accountability
• Business Acumen
• Communication Skills
• Computer and Payroll System Proficiency

RightStaff was recognized by INC 5000 as one of the fastest growing companies in the nation. RightStaff's unique process and approach to staffing has enabled us to provide services that far exceed our competitors in the areas of resource qualification, delivery and performance measurement.

Voted Best Places to work in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. RightStaff is a nationwide IT solutions partner. We offer a full range of services, covering recruitment, project management, rollouts, project deployment, staffing, consulting services, and direct hire placement.

RightStaff is continuing to grow our service offerings every year, offers excellent compensation, and a great opportunity for career growth.