Payroll Manager

Description

Position Summary

The Payroll Manager is responsible for the full-cycle payroll function for a multi-state electrical contracting workforce. This role leads a team of Payroll Specialists and oversees all payroll processing, compliance, reporting, time management, absence tracking, and 401(k) administration. The position requires deep construction industry payroll knowledge, strong systems proficiency, and the ability to manage competing deadlines with precision and discretion.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Operations

Process and reconcile weekly payroll cycles accurately and on time across multiple states.

Process off-cycle and ad hoc payroll runs, including management-requested bonuses and special payments.

Process manual check corrections following established approval and documentation procedures.

Gather, export, audit, and resolve discrepancies in timekeeping data via the HRIS platform.

Manage COINS integration and ensure accurate job costing and labor allocation across projects.

Process ACH transmittals, positive pay files, garnishments, levies, child support, and involuntary deductions.

Manually verify per diem, premium wages, and out-of-town job pay; reconcile to IRS guidelines.

Verify vacation, holiday eligibility, and paid leave balances.

Manage state payroll tax registrations, including opening new state accounts, closing accounts in states where operations have ended, and responding to state tax agency inquiries and notices across all jurisdictions where CEC operates.

Time Management and Absence Management

Oversee the team’s review of employee time entries for accuracy, completeness, and compliance prior to each payroll run.

Ensure timely follow-up with supervisors and employees to resolve time entry discrepancies or missing submissions.

Manage the Absence Management process, ensuring all employee absences (PTO, sick, FMLA, leave of absence, etc.) are recorded accurately in the HRIS and reflected correctly in payroll processing.

Maintain absence tracking workflows, escalation paths, and system configurations.

Construction-Specific Compliance

Complete and distribute certified payroll reports; conduct DOL reporting in compliance with prevailing wage and Davis-Bacon requirements.

Complete Worker Wage Rate Forms and maintain compliance with applicable wage determinations.

Maintain the prevailing wage calculator file and partner with the project team on rate calculations and updates.

Manage project bump agreements, including assignment of agreements to applicable employees in coordination with the workforce and project teams.

Administer the IEC apprenticeship program, including wage tracking and deductions.

Conduct ROCIP and CCIP reporting.

Stay current on federal and state payroll tax law, construction industry wage regulations, and legislative changes affecting payroll.

Reporting and Reconciliation

Perform weekly payroll journal entries and reconciliations.

Prepare year-end reports and W-2s.

Maintain payroll records and all required documentation for internal and external audits.

Identify and implement process improvements to increase accuracy and efficiency.

401(k) Administration

Partner with HR leadership to administer the company’s 401(k) plan, including weekly contribution reconciliation and loan payment processing.

Maintain all plan documents; manage the annual ERISA audit and compliance testing.

Oversee funding of employee and employer contributions.

Reconcile and deposit contributions for the Deferred Compensation Plan.

Support 401(k) plan transitions or platform migrations as needed.

Team Leadership

Supervise, develop, and support a team of Payroll Specialists responsible for time management review, absence tracking, manual check corrections, and payroll inquiry resolution.

Manage workload distribution, performance oversight, and professional development for direct reports.

Establish and maintain standard operating procedures for all payroll functions.

Serve as the primary escalation point for complex payroll issues, employee inquiries, and cross-functional coordination.

Perform other related duties as assigned to ensure efficient and effective payroll operations.

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Qualifications

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or equivalent experience.

10 years of payroll experience.

3 years in a payroll leadership or management role, including direct supervision of payroll staff.

2 years in construction, electrical contracting, or a similarly complex field-based industry.

Multi-state payroll experience required.

Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification preferred.

Demonstrated knowledge of certified payroll, prevailing wage, Davis-Bacon, and IEC program administration.

Experience with absence management and time management oversight in a high-volume, field-based environment preferred.

Skills & Abilities

Deep knowledge of multi-state payroll tax law and construction-specific compliance requirements.

Proficiency in HRIS and payroll platforms (e.g., Paycom, Workday, ADP, UKG) and construction ERP systems such as COINS.

Strong job costing and labor allocation understanding.

Experience managing prevailing wage calculations, project bump agreements, and certified payroll reporting.

Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy under deadline pressure.

Strong analytical and reconciliation skills.

Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion.

Clear written and verbal communication; comfortable supporting employees and field leadership on payroll matters.

Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-moving operational environment.

Proven ability to lead and develop a payroll team in a high-volume, multi-state operation.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

This job operates in a clerical office setting. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets.

Salary - 130,000 - 160,000