Senior Payroll Tax Manager

Our client, a large, complex organization with operations across the U.S., is seeking an experienced Senior Payroll Tax Manager to lead its payroll tax function. This highly visible role will oversee payroll tax compliance, controls, systems, and reporting while leading a team and partnering closely with Payroll, HR, Finance, Accounting, Legal, Benefits, and IT. The Senior Payroll Tax Manager will serve as the organization’s payroll tax subject matter expert, ensuring accurate and timely compliance across federal, state, and local jurisdictions. This individual will also play an important role in strengthening processes, improving controls, supporting system initiatives, and ensuring the organization remains compliant as operations continue to evolve and expand.

Compensation: $100,000 - $120,000

Location: Charlotte, NC

Hybrid Flexibility: 3 days onsite, 2 days remote

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee federal, state, and local payroll tax compliance, including filings, deposits, and reporting.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of 3–4 Payroll Tax Analysts.
• Lead quarter-end and year-end processes, including W-2 and W-2C reporting.
• Monitor regulatory changes and ensure new requirements are appropriately implemented.
• Manage payroll tax registrations, setup, and configuration across multiple jurisdictions.
• Oversee payroll tax reconciliations, controls, and audits, researching and resolving discrepancies.
• Lead internal and external payroll tax audits and ensure documentation remains accurate and audit-ready.
• Partner with IT and payroll vendors on system configuration, testing, and regulatory updates.
• Evaluate payroll tax processes and implement improvements that increase accuracy, efficiency, and compliance.
• Ensure taxability rules, wage types, and payroll tax system logic are properly maintained.
• Lead and develop the payroll tax team, providing coaching, guidance, and performance management.
• Partner cross-functionally on payroll tax matters and broader organizational initiatives.
• Support M&A, business expansion, and new jurisdiction activity, researching requirements and ensuring appropriate tax registrations, system setup, reporting, and ongoing compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field.
• 8 years of payroll tax experience, including significant multi-state experience.
• 3 years of people leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations.
• Experience with payroll tax systems and filing platforms; SAP and ADP MasterTax experience preferred.
• Experience managing payroll tax controls, reconciliations, audits, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience within a large, high-volume, complex, multi-entity organization required.
• CPP certification and SOX experience are a plus, but not required
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Strong communication and business partnership skills with the ability to work effectively across multiple functions.

Category Code: JN001, JN005

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Seniority Level: Mid-Senior Level