Payroll Manager

About JWilliams Staffing

JWilliams Staffing is the nation’s leading real estate staffing firm, supporting 2,000 employees across multiple states. We are known for integrity, compliance, and operational excellence—and we’re growing fast.

Job Summary:

The Payroll Manager is responsible for leading and overseeing all payroll operations for JWilliams Staffing’s multi-state temporary workforce. The Payroll Manager supervises Payroll Specialists, ensures compliance with federal and California labor laws, and partners closely with HR and Accounting to ensure accurate, timely, and legally compliant payroll practices across all client sites and assignment types.

Job Classification:

Location: This is an on-site position - Located in Irvine

Employment Status: Full time - Exempt/Salary

Reports To: Controller

Supervisory Duties & Responsibilities:

• Leads the recruitment, onboarding, and integration of new payroll team members.
• Provides day-to-day leadership, guidance, and performance management for payroll team.
• Develops goals, assigns duties, and ensures workflow quality, accuracy, and timely completion.
• Identifies training needs and provides ongoing coaching, development, and corrective action as appropriate.
• Conducts performance evaluations in accordance with company guidelines.
• Manages payroll team schedules, approves timecards and time-off requests, and maintains required coverage.
• Communicates policies, updates, and strategic priorities to ensure the team meets accuracy and compliance expectations.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Department Leadership

• Manages daily payroll operations for a high-volume, multi-state environment with variable rates and client requirements.
• Oversees payroll team and ensures compliance, accuracy, and adherence to internal procedures.
• Acts as the primary point of escalation for complex payroll issues, disputed pay matters, or employee complaints.
• Partners with HR and Finance on cross-departmental initiatives and process improvements.

Payroll Oversight

• Oversees all aspects of multi-state payroll processing, including garnishments, special payments, reconciliations, and payroll tax coordination.
• Provides final approval on payroll runs, corrections, adjustments, overrides, and off-cycle payrolls.
• Ensures deadlines are met and that payroll activities conform to legal requirements and internal controls.

Compliance and Audit Management

• Interpret federal, state, and local wage/hour laws (e.g., FLSA, CA Labor Code), partnering with HR as needed.
• Ensure payroll practices comply with internal policies and regulatory requirements.
• Investigates escalated payroll complaints, assesses risk exposure, and determines required corrective actions.
• Maintains documentation, processes, and internal controls to ensure continuous audit readiness.

Systems and Reporting

• Administer payroll systems and collaborate with IT or vendors on improvements.
• Generates, analyzes, and distributes payroll reports, metrics, and strategic insights.
• Ensures system accuracy, data integrity, and integration with HR and Accounting systems.

Policy Development

• Develops, revises, and maintains payroll policies, procedures, and internal control standards.
• Serves as the organization’s subject matter expert on payroll-related regulations, best practices, and compliance issues.

Other Duties

• Keeps Executive Management apprised of significant payroll matters, risks, or compliance concerns.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Skills & Abilities:

• Extensive knowledge of payroll principles and multi-state (including California) wage and hour laws.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret complex legal requirements and make policy-level decisions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail.
• Effective leadership, communication, and coaching abilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise independent judgment.

Required Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, HR, or related field preferred.
• 5 years of payroll experience, including 2 years in a supervisory or compliance-focused role.
• Experience with high-volume, multi-state payroll operations required.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.