Payroll Manager

Job Summary

This position manages the organization’s payroll function, ensuring accurate and timely preparation, processing, distribution, and documentation of employee payroll. Primary responsibilities include policy and process leadership and communication, as well as technical and staff supervision. The Payroll Manager operates as the subject matter expert and escalation point to resolve issues. This position identifies process improvements and implements those improvements in collaboration with internal HR and Finance stakeholders.

Essential Responsibilities

Technical Supervision

• Manage and coordinate daily payroll processing activities and staff, ensuring payroll is processed timely and accurately.
• Conduct thorough payroll review and resolve discrepancies each pay period to achieve zero error rate, including review of earnings, deductions, insurance coverage, wage garnishments, child support, etc.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable state and federal wage and hour laws.
• Maintain current knowledge of and enforce applicable state and federal wage and hour laws.
• Review tax filings prior to submission.
• Configure and manage payroll system permissions and codes.
• Ensure employee payroll records are up-to-date and accurate.
• Lead the appropriate resolution of highly complex and escalated payroll issues.
• Address payroll related queries and requests from employees, as needed; manage communications from team to employees.
• Ensure employment inquiries and complaints relating to areas of oversight are handled quickly, confidentially, equitably, and courteously.
• Provide back-up coverage for payroll staff during vacations and/or high-volume work periods.

Policy and Process Oversight

• Recommend and implement payroll policies and practices; monitor to ensure effectiveness; identify and administer improvements and change.
• Develop, implement, and utilize payroll control measures, including segregation of duties.
• Monitor external trends, legal compliance, and risk mitigation; provide guidance to staff on interpretation and application within the organization.
• Actively lead goal setting for areas of responsibility.
• Provide input into HR and Finance strategic planning, when requested.
• Coordinate with HR, IS and other systems applications managers related to the payroll system module.
• Lead payroll system reviews and upgrades.
• Participate in vendor assessments and service/software renewals.
• Continually grow knowledge and skills in employment practices and trends; attend relevant conferences, seminars, and meetings, as networking and growth opportunities.

Communication and Education

• Serve as a lead role in managing communications pertaining to payroll services.
• Facilitate management and employee understanding of payroll procedures.
• Provide technical guidance and problem-solving steps with organizational leadership, as well as to HR staff, managers, and employees, as needed.
• Serve as a resource to organizational development and training staff in the creation and delivery of payroll curriculum.
• Conduct or help facilitate presentations to managers and employees; represent HR and Finance with external stakeholders, as needed.

Employee Supervision

• Manage team(s) and recommend team direction and goals in alignment with the organizational mission, vision, and values and strategic objectives.
• Identify work and staffing needs to meet work expectations; recruit and hire, using an equity, diversity, and inclusion lens.
• Plan, organize, schedule, and monitor work; ensure employees have information and resources to meet job expectations.
• Lead the development, communication, and oversight of team and individual goals; ensure goals, expectations, and standards are clearly understood by staff.
• Train, supervise, motivate, and coach employees; provide support toward employee development.
• Incorporate guidance from CareOregon equity tools into people leadership, planning, operations, evaluation, and decision making.
• Ensure team adheres to department and organizational standards, policies, and procedures.
• Evaluate employee performance and provide regular feedback to support success; recognize strong performance and address performance gaps and accountability (performance corrective action).

Organizational Responsibilities

• Perform work in alignment with the organization’s mission, vision and values.
• Support the organization’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion by fostering a culture of open mindedness, cultural awareness, compassion and respect for all individuals.
• Strive to meet annual business goals in support of the organization’s strategic goals.
• Adhere to the organization’s policies, procedures and other relevant compliance needs.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Experience and/or Education

Required

• Minimum 5 years’ payroll experience, including managing payroll in a multi-state and multi-entity environment

Preferred

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in a supervisory position or minimum 1 year experience in a supervisory position with completion of CareOregon’s Aspiring Leaders Program
• Experience with Workday and/or UKG payroll
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

Knowledge

• Excellent knowledge of payroll functions, including the ability to process payroll

Skills and Abilities

• Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office applications, above average spreadsheet knowledge and working in virtual environment
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong people supervision skills, including the ability to coach, develop and motivate staff
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to give presentations and train groups of new employees
• Ability to maintain current knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and statutes related to essential functions
• Ability to develop payroll policies, document processes and oversee effective implementation
• Ability to explore innovative approaches and solutions, and lead change management
• Ability to educate and give concise information and directions
• Ability to build relationships with management, employees, and vendors
• Ability to use independent judgment and handle confidential information with discretion
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines
• Ability to oversee excellent service to internal and external customers and vendors
• Ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups
• Ability to learn, focus, understand, and evaluate information and determine appropriate actions
• Ability to accept direction and feedback, as well as tolerate and manage stress
• Ability to see, read, and perform repetitive finger and wrist movement for at least 6 hours/day
• Ability to hear and speak clearly for at least 3-6 hours/day

Working Conditions

Work Environment(s): Indoor/Office Community Facilities/Security Outdoor Exposure

Member/Patient Facing: No Telephonic In Person

Hazards: May include, but not limited to, physical and ergonomic hazards.

Equipment: General office equipment

Travel: May include occasional required or optional travel outside of the workplace; the employee’s personal vehicle, local transit or other means of transportation may be used.

Work Location: Work from home

#Li-Hybrid

Candidates of color are strongly encouraged to apply. CareOregon is committed to building a linguistically and culturally diverse and inclusive work environment.

Veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.

We are an equal opportunity employer. CareOregon considers all candidates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.

Visa sponsorship is not available at this time.