Assistant Payroll Manager

The Assistant Manager, Payroll Operations is responsible for managing end-to-end payroll operations across a multi-entity healthcare system while driving process improvements, streamlining workflows, and implementing payroll automation initiatives.

The Assistant Manager partners closely with HR, Finance, IT, and operational leadership to ensure payroll accuracy, compliance, efficiency, and exceptional internal customer service. The ideal candidate brings strong payroll leadership experience, technical expertise, and a proactive mindset focused on operational excellence and continuous improvement

Responsibilities:

• Oversee biweekly and/or weekly payroll processing for employees across multiple departments, facilities, and entities.
• Ensure accurate and timely processing of earnings, deductions, taxes, garnishments, retroactive adjustments, PTO accruals, and benefit deductions.
• Review and approve payroll audits, reconciliations, and exception reporting prior to payroll transmission.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for payroll policies, procedures, and compliance requirements.
• Support employee inquiries regarding pay, deductions, taxes, and payroll policies.
• Assist with workload distribution, prioritization, and escalation management within the payroll team.
• Maintain confidentiality and integrity of payroll and employee compensation data.
• Lead payroll streamlining initiatives to improve operational efficiency, reduce manual processing, and enhance data accuracy.
• Identify opportunities for automation within payroll, timekeeping, reporting, and reconciliation processes.
• Collaborate with HRIS, Finance, and IT teams on payroll system enhancements, upgrades, integrations, and testing.
• Develop standardized workflows, controls, and documentation to support operational consistency and scalability.
• Create and maintain payroll metrics, dashboards, and management reporting tools.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations, wage and hour laws, and organizational policies.
• Support payroll audits, tax filings, year-end processing, and W-2 reconciliation activities.
• Monitor payroll controls and implement corrective actions when necessary.
• Prepare detailed payroll reports and analytics for leadership review and decision-making.

Requirements:

• 5 years of progressive payroll experience, including leadership or supervisory responsibilities.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree required.
• Licenses / Certifications: FPC or CPP certifications a plus
• Strong experience processing high-volume payroll in a complex, multi-site organization; healthcare experience preferred.
• Experience with HRIS/payroll platforms such as Workday, UKG/Kronos, Lawson, Oracle, ADP, or similar systems.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups, formulas, and data analysis. Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
• Knowledge of union payroll, shift differentials, and complex compensation structures. Familiarity with reporting automation, workflow tools, and payroll analytics platforms.