Payroll Manager

This position is expected to support both Reno, NV and Truckee, CA.

Bargaining Unit: Non Represented - Manager

Rate of Pay: $141,939 annually DOE

Summary

The Payroll Manager is responsible for leading the organization's payroll function, ensuring the accurate and timely processing of multi-state payroll while maintaining compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations. This role oversees payroll operations, drives process improvements, manages payroll systems, partners with cross-functional teams, and provides leadership to the payroll team to ensure operational excellence and outstanding internal customer service.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Manage the bi-weekly, multi-state payroll process for approximately 1,500 employees, ensuring accurate and timely processing of salaries, bonuses, benefits, taxes, and deductions.
• Review and audit payroll data prior to processing to ensure accuracy and compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll laws, tax regulations, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), wage and hour requirements, and payroll accounting principles.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and compliance.
• Apply strong analytical, numerical, and problem-solving skills to identify risks, resolve complex payroll issues, and improve operational efficiency.
• Administer UKG Pro Payroll and UKG Dimensions (Workforce Management), including system enhancements, testing, documentation, training, and implementation of new functionality.
• Prepare payroll journal entries, reconcile payroll-related general ledger accounts, and resolve discrepancies in partnership with Accounting and Finance to ensure financial accuracy and compliance..
• Lead internal and external payroll audits and ensure accurate payroll reporting.
• Serve as backup payroll processor to maintain business continuity.
• Partner with Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Legal, and external tax advisors to address payroll compliance matters and legislative changes.
• Write, maintain, and update payroll policies and procedures to ensure strong internal controls and adherence to best practices.
• Proactively identify, investigate, and resolve discrepancies, missing information, and process gaps to ensure payroll accuracy and operational excellence.
• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop payroll team members while fostering accountability, continuous learning, and high performance.
• Provide leadership, coaching, mentoring, and performance management for payroll team members, establishing goals and supporting professional development.
• Build strong cross-functional relationships through effective communication, collaboration, and a customer-focused approach.
• Generate payroll reports, analyses, reconciliations, and ad hoc calculations to support business needs and decision-making.
• Influence stakeholders by providing trusted guidance, objective recommendations, and clear communication to support informed business decisions.
• Translate complex payroll, accounting, and compliance information into clear, organized, and actionable communications for diverse audiences.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, confidentiality standards, and all applicable payroll regulations.
• Demonstrates System Values in performance and behavior.
• Complies with System policies and procedures.
• Other duties as may be assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Carries out supervisory responsibility in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, training, assigning, coaching, counseling, and disciplining employees; administering scheduling systems; communicating job expectations; planning, monitoring, appraising, and reviewing job contributions; enforcing policies and procedures.

Minimum Education/Experience

Bachelor's Degree from four-year college or university or 5 or more years relevant experience

Required Licenses/Certifications

None

Other Experience/Qualifications

Required:

• Demonstrate strategic thinking with the ability to evaluate, optimize, and scale payroll infrastructure to support organizational growth.
• Demonstrate exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Demonstrate high emotional intelligence, integrity, discretion, cultural humility, and personal accountability while handling highly sensitive and confidential information.
• Demonstrated ability to use payroll and AP/ERP systems, Microsoft Office with advanced skills in MS Excel and other relevant tools.