Payroll Manager

Our client, a publicly traded organization is centralizing its payroll function following a period of acquisition-driven growth and looking for a Payroll Manager to join their team!  They are looking for someone to come into their Mid-town Manhattan office (near Grand Central) on a hybrid basis, three days in-office, two remote. 

This is a newly created, hands-on ownership role that reports into the finance org (not hr). This role is perfect  for a payroll professional who wants to build — standardizing processes, tightening controls, and pulling payroll from multiple acquired entities into a single, scalable operation. Ideal for a payroll lead or supervisor ready to step into their first full-ownership role or an experienced manager looking for their next challenge. 

Scope

• End-to-end U.S. payroll for ~800 employees (no international payroll — handled by a third-party provider)
• One direct report
• Non-union workforce; limited equity compensation, restricted to select leadership

What you'll do

• Own timely, accurate, compliant processing for all U.S. payrolls
• Centralize and standardize payroll across recently acquired businesses
• Manage new hires, terminations, promotions, bonuses, commissions, garnishments, leaves, and off-cycle runs
• Review and approve inputs, calculations, reconciliations, and audit reports
• Serve as the primary escalation point for payroll issues, driving root-cause resolution
• Build and improve policies, procedures, controls, and documentation for a scalable function
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax, wage, and hour requirements
• Support internal/external audits and SOX controls
• Partner with HR, IT, and Accounting on system enhancements and integrations

What we're looking for

• Bachelor's in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field
• 6+ years of progressive U.S. multi-state payroll experience, including senior/lead responsibility
• Public company and SOX exposure strongly preferred
• Experience with an integrated HRIS/payroll platform (ADP, Dayforce, UKG, Rippling, or similar)
• Strong reconciliation, analytical, and advanced Excel skills
• M&A / payroll integration experience a plus
• CPP a plus but not required 

Compensation up to ~$135K based on experience plus bonus 
Location: Midtown Manhattan (hybrid — 3 days onsite, 2 remote)

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