Payroll Operations Manager

Are you seeking an impactful leadership opportunity to manage payroll operations for a growing organization?

Reporting to the Head of Payroll, this is an opportunity to lead a high-performing national payroll team in a growing global organization. As the Manager of US Payroll Operations, you’ll lead the end-to-end payroll ecosystem across the US, ensuring accuracy, compliance, operational excellence, and a best-in-class employee experience. Additionally, you’ll partner with the Head of Payroll to improve technology, streamline processes, and deliver automation that scales.

What are people saying about this company?

• They invest in their people via training

• They allow you the independence to do your job without looking over your shoulder.

• Supportive. Good benefits. Nice culture to work in. Great people.

Title: US Payroll Manager

Location: Fairfield County, CT (Hybrid)

Salary: $90,000 - $110,000 +Bonus

Overview

The Payroll Operations Manager leads end-to-end payroll operations, ensuring full compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. This role oversees payroll processing, internal controls, risk management, and reporting, while driving initiatives to improve efficiency, accuracy, scalability, and employee experience. The position ensures timely and accurate payroll across all employee populations, adhering to wage and hour laws, tax regulations, SOX/internal controls, and company policies.

This role partners closely with IT, HR, and business leaders to optimize payroll systems and processes, including requirements development, systems analysis, change management, and communications. The Payroll Operations Manager serves as both a compliance leader and strategic partner, ensuring payroll operations are controlled, scalable, and aligned with business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end payroll operations, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant execution.
• Support the Payroll Director in developing and executing payroll strategy aligned with business growth.
• Manage relationships with payroll providers and system partners.
• Oversee audits and compliance processes, including control certifications, remediation, and testing.
• Provide subject matter expertise across payroll activities, including FLSA, state regulations, garnishments, tax, variance testing, stock vesting, relocation, and reconciliations.
• Monitor performance metrics and SLAs; analyze trends and drive process improvements.
• Lead, coach, and develop payroll team members to ensure high-quality service delivery.
• Partner with HR, Finance, IT, Benefits, and Compensation on payroll initiatives; support system testing, documentation, and implementation.
• Deliver responsive customer service to employees and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, HR, Information Systems, or related field.
• 10+ years of payroll experience in complex environments.
• Experience with GlobalView, SAP, and/or Dayforce, including reporting, auditing, and processing.
• Strong understanding of HCM, Time & Attendance, and Payroll systems integration.
• CPP certification preferred.
• Experience with SOX compliance and internal controls.
• Knowledge of SAP/SuccessFactors (Employee Central) and SAP Finance (preferred).
• Deep knowledge of federal, multi-state, and local tax regulations.
• Experience supporting payroll in M&A environments.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Strong leadership, communication, and analytical skills; ability to solve complex issues and standardize processes.
• High integrity and discretion with confidential information.
• Willingness to travel occasionally.