Payroll Manager

Are you an experienced Payroll Manager with a desire to excel? If so, then Talent Software Services may have the job for you! Our client is seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to work at their company in Culver City, CA.

Position Summary: We are seeking an experienced and strategic Payroll Manager / Payroll Lead with deep expertise in U.S. and Canadian payroll to lead and elevate our payroll operations. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of end-to-end payroll processing, tax compliance, internal controls, and the downstream impact of payroll on finance and employee experience. This role is critical to ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll cycles, and will also focus on driving process improvements, building operational excellence, and coaching and developing the payroll team.

Primary Responsibilities/Accountabilities:

• Payroll Operations
• Lead and execute end-to-end payroll processing for U.S. and Canadian employees ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with federal, state/provincial, and local regulations.
• Manage payroll inputs, adjustments, deductions, garnishments, and off-cycle payments.
• Own the payroll calendar and ensure alignment with internal deadlines and external reporting requirements.
• Coordination of resources to support testing and special projects for payroll related projects.
• Tax Compliance & Controls
• Ensure accurate tax reporting and compliance, including federal and state/local payroll tax filings, W-2s, and year-end processes.
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to manage audits, resolve discrepancies, and maintain strong internal payroll controls.
• Ability to explain to team members and stakeholders the downstream tax impact of payroll activity and payroll processing decisions.
• Process Optimization
• Identify and implement process improvements to streamline payroll operations, increase efficiency, and reduce manual effort.
• Evaluate payroll system functionality and partner with P&O, Finance, and IT teams for system upgrades or automation opportunities.
• Track the ongoing performance of the team to deliver accurate and timely payroll in the current and optimized environments.
• Team Leadership & Development
• Train, mentor, and coach payroll team members to foster a high-performance culture.
• Develop documentation and training materials to support team upskilling and ensure cross-functional coverage.
• Provide payroll training and guidance to P&O, finance, and business partners as needed.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Serve as the subject matter expert on payroll matters and tax impact across departments.
• Collaborate closely with P&O, Finance, Legal, and external vendors to ensure alignment and data accuracy.

Qualifications:

• Required:
• 7 years of U.S. payroll experience, including multi-state processing.
• 5 year of Canadian payroll experience
• Strong knowledge of payroll laws, regulations, and best practices (e.g., FLSA, tax withholdings, wage garnishments)
• Experience with payroll systems (e.g., Workday, ADP, UKG, or similar).
• Proven experience in process improvement and payroll operations leadership.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Proven ability to mentor and develop team members
• Preferred:
• CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) or similar certification.
• Project management experience
• Experience in a high-growth or global organization.

Preferred:

• A proactive, solution-oriented mindset with a passion for process excellence.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative approach to coaching and leadership.
• A commitment to continuous learning and development—for yourself and others.