Payroll Manager – PEO & Multi-State Payroll Operations

About Quality Payroll & Benefits

Quality Payroll & Benefits is a woman-owned Professional Employer Organization founded in 2003 and based in Draper, Utah. We provide payroll administration, payroll tax support, human resources, risk management, employee benefits and related workforce solutions.

We are seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to lead our payroll department, strengthen our processes and ensure that every client receives accurate, timely and responsive service.

This is a hands-on leadership position for someone who understands complex payroll operations, enjoys developing people and can confidently manage deadlines, client escalations and competing priorities.

Position Summary

The Payroll Manager will oversee the daily operations of the payroll department and lead a team of on-site and remote payroll specialists. This individual will be responsible for payroll accuracy, team performance, client service, workflow management, quality control and continuous process improvement.

This role reports directly to the President and CEO and works in close partnership with our Controller, HR and Risk Manager, and Onboarding and Client Relations Specialist. You will have direct access to ownership and meaningful authority over how the department operates.

The ideal candidate has significant experience managing multi-client or multi-state payroll and is comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment where accuracy, confidentiality and responsiveness are essential.

Experience within a PEO, payroll service bureau, accounting firm or other multi-client payroll environment is strongly preferred.

Key Responsibilities

Department Operations

• Manage the daily operations of the payroll department and ensure all client payrolls are processed accurately and on schedule.
• Assign and balance client payroll portfolios based on complexity, volume and team capacity.
• Review department workload, deadlines and staffing coverage to prevent processing delays.
• Oversee payroll processing for clients operating in multiple states and jurisdictions.
• Review payroll reports, reconciliations and exception reports before payrolls are finalized.
• Oversee payroll funding, ACH files, direct deposit transmissions and impound timing in coordination with accounting.
• Implement quality-control procedures to reduce payroll errors, corrections and client complaints.

Team Leadership

• Lead, coach and support a team of senior, regular and junior payroll specialists.
• Establish clear performance standards and hold team members accountable for accuracy, communication and follow-through.
• Recruit, train and onboard payroll department employees as needed.
• Conduct regular one-on-one meetings, department meetings and performance evaluations.
• Provide cross-training and succession planning so essential payroll functions are not dependent on one employee.
• Maintain a calm, professional and solutions-oriented approach during high-volume payroll periods.

Client Service

• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex payroll issues and sensitive client concerns.
• Communicate directly with clients when leadership involvement is required.
• Coordinate with onboarding and client relations to ensure new clients transition smoothly into payroll processing.
• Review new-client setups, earnings codes, deductions, pay schedules, accrual policies and payroll procedures before the first payroll is processed.

Compliance and Accuracy

• Partner with payroll tax and accounting personnel to resolve tax discrepancies, funding issues, banking concerns and reconciliation differences.
• Support quarter-end and year-end processing, including Form 941, state unemployment filings, W-2 production and distribution.
• Process and monitor wage garnishments, child support orders, levies and related withholding requirements.
• Track and apply state unemployment rate changes, minimum wage updates and jurisdiction-specific requirements across the client base.
• Ensure payroll records are maintained accurately and confidentially.
• Support compliance with federal, state and local payroll requirements.
• Assist with payroll audits, internal reviews and requests for payroll documentation.

Process Improvement

• Develop, document and maintain payroll policies, procedures, checklists and standard operating procedures.
• Improve payroll workflows through better processes, automation, training and accountability.
• Monitor payroll department performance, including accuracy, timeliness, client response times and correction rates.
• Identify recurring issues and implement solutions that address the underlying cause.

Required Qualifications

• At least five years of progressive payroll experience.
• At least two years of payroll leadership, supervisory or management experience.
• Strong knowledge of payroll processing, deductions, garnishments, payroll taxes, direct deposits and payroll reconciliations.
• Experience processing or overseeing multi-state payroll.
• Experience managing multiple payroll schedules and strict processing deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to identify payroll discrepancies and resolve complex problems.
• Strong leadership, coaching and performance-management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive employee and client information.
• Ability to remain composed and make sound decisions under pressure.
• Proficiency with payroll software, Microsoft Excel and related business systems.
• Ability to work full-time from our Draper, Utah office.
• Authorization to work in the United States without current or future visa sponsorship.
• Ability to pass a pre-employment background check.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working for a PEO, payroll service bureau or multi-client payroll provider.
• Experience managing payroll for several thousand employees.
• Fundamental Payroll Certification, Certified Payroll Professional designation or similar payroll certification.
• Experience overseeing remote and in-office payroll employees.
• Experience creating payroll procedures, controls and training programs.
• Experience with payroll system implementation, conversion or process automation.
• Familiarity with timekeeping systems, general-ledger reporting and payroll-to-accounting reconciliations.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.
• Associate's or bachelor's degree in accounting, business, human resources or a related field.

Technology You'll Work With

• Our payroll and HRIS platform ProSoftware
• Integrated timekeeping and time-and-attendance systems
• Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook
• Accounting and general-ledger systems for payroll reconciliation

Prior experience with our specific platform is helpful but not required. We provide full system training.

What Success Looks Like

The successful Payroll Manager will:

• Ensure client payrolls are processed accurately and on time.
• Create clear ownership and accountability within the payroll department.
• Reduce preventable payroll corrections and recurring processing errors.
• Improve communication between payroll, onboarding, tax, accounting and client relations.
• Develop junior payroll employees into knowledgeable and independent specialists.
• Build documented processes and backup coverage for critical responsibilities.
• Respond to client concerns quickly, professionally and thoroughly.
• Create a stable, organized and scalable payroll operation that can support continued company growth.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary: $70,000-$85,000 annually, depending on payroll expertise, management experience, certifications and PEO or multi-client payroll experience. This position is classified as exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Benefits include:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Company-paid payroll certification (FPC or CPP), renewal fees and continuing education
• Company-paid professional membership dues
• Annual performance review with merit increase eligibility
• Discretionary annual performance bonus

As a PEO, we know what a good benefits package looks like — and we offer our own team the same quality of coverage we build for our clients.

Career Growth

This position was created to build the payroll operation that will carry the company through its next stage of growth. As the department scales, this role is positioned to grow into a broader operations leadership scope. We invest in certification, continuing education and internal advancement, and we promote from within whenever we can.

Schedule and Work Environment

This is a full-time, in-office leadership position based in Draper, Utah. Regular availability is required during payroll processing hours, with occasional additional availability during high-volume periods, year-end processing or urgent client situations.

• Standard schedule: Monday through Friday, business hours
• Occasional extended hours during quarter-end, year-end and peak payroll periods
• Minimal travel; occasional local client visits
• Relocation assistance is offered for this position

Physical requirements: This role primarily involves seated office work with extended computer and telephone use. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Our Hiring Process

• Application review — every application is reviewed by our leadership team
• Initial Zoom screening (approximately 20 minutes)
• In-person interview at our Draper office with the CEO
• Working conversation with the payroll and accounting team
• Reference checks and background check
• Offer

We aim to move from application to offer within three weeks and to respond to every applicant either way.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume through Indeed. In your application, we'd like to understand:

• The size and complexity of the payroll operations you have managed
• The number of employees or client payrolls you have supported
• Your leadership and team-management experience
• Your experience with multi-state or multi-client payroll
• Any payroll certifications you currently hold

A brief cover letter is welcome but not required.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Quality Payroll & Benefits is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, business needs and the ability to successfully perform the responsibilities of the position. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact us at 801.568.1501 and we will work with you.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment background check. Quality Payroll & Benefits participates in E-Verify.

Pay: $71,113.30 - $85,641.82 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Relocation assistance
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Are you able to work full-time, in-office, in Draper, Utah?

Experience:

• Payroll: 5 years (Required)
• Payroll management: 2 years (Required)

Language:

• Spanish (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Certified Payroll Professional (Preferred)
• Fundamental Payroll Certification (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $70,000 - $85,000