Finance & Payroll Operations Manager

Skidmore Owings & Merrill • Chicago, IL

1d • $130,000 - $160,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

At SOM, we are a collective committed to shaping a better future for our clients, communities and planet. We aspire to create the most sustainable, impactful work through creative, interdisciplinary teams with all the resources and diversity of a global firm. We value those who are passionate about excellence, innovation, integrity, inclusivity, and collaboration. Together we can achieve great things. Success at SOM Means Ideas: We believe in a meritocracy of ideas. We look to everyone to actively contribute to the discourse in the firm. Knowledge: We believe that expertise is the result of lifelong learning. We are not expected to know everything, but rather to passionately pursue answers, develop new skills and deepen our knowledge. Product: We strive for excellence in the concept, quality, and delivery of our work. Individual: We value individuals who bring the highest standards of professionalism and personal integrity in the way they work. Each person can develop and contribute their wealth of attributes, skills and knowledge to support the overall health of the firm. Team: We value the power of interdisciplinary integration. A positive team culture in which everyone collaborates openly towards common goals is essential. Firm: We have a history of making transformative contributions to the profession and our communities. We are constantly innovating and attempting to bring new approaches, solutions and processes to our work. Position Overview We are seeking a highly experienced Finance/Accounting professional to serve as a strategic and operational partner to the CFO and CPO. This position is critical to ensuring both stability and agility within the Finance organization. By combining deep payroll expertise with broad financial capability, this role enables the CFO and finance team to operate more efficiently, respond to changing business needs, and maintain strong financial controls. This role is designed initially to focus on the oversight and continuous improvement of the payroll function with identified goals, timelines, and success metrics. The duration of this focus is anticipated to be between six and twelve months. Achieving expected milestones will enable this position to devote more time supporting broader finance and accounting activities, offering expertise, flexibility, and leadership across the department.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (CPA or advanced degree preferred)
• 8 or more years of progressive experience in finance and accounting roles
• Strong expertise in payroll operations, compliance, and systems
• Broad knowledge across multiple finance disciplines (AP, AR, reporting, audit, etc.)
• Demonstrated ability to operate both strategically and tactically
• High attention to detail with strong problem-solving skills
• Ability to adapt quickly and manage shifting priorities
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Nice To Haves

• CPA or advanced degree preferred

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic oversight and leadership of the payroll function through management of the Payroll team
• Ensure payroll operations are executed accurately, timely, and in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations
• Establish clear expectations, performance standards, and accountability measures for payroll team members
• Review and monitor key payroll outputs, reconciliations, and reporting to ensure accuracy and completeness
• Oversee the design, implementation, and maintenance of payroll processes, controls, and systems
• Partner with the Payroll Manager to identify risks, resolve escalated issues, and drive continuous improvement initiatives
• Collaborate with HR and other departments to ensure alignment on compensation, benefits, and payroll-related policies
• Ensure readiness for internal and external audits and review audit deliverables related to payroll
• Evaluate and enhance payroll-related internal controls and compliance frameworks
• Support strategic decisions related to payroll systems, vendors, and process optimization
• Responsible for managing global payroll processing operations
• Establishes policies and processes that ensure accurate calculation of wages, tax withholdings and company deductions.
• Interfaces between finance and human resource departments to provide accurate and useful information.
• Develops and produces payroll-related statistical reports.
• Ensures accurate and on-time governmental reporting and compliance.
• Manages and mentors staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs while ensuring continued training and associated development of knowledge.
• Creates and drives new ways of working through contributing to the development of services and standard procedures based in an understanding of the business principles that protect SOM from financial and legal risk.
• Directs the resolution of complex issues or errors.
• Provide high-level oversight and strategic support across core finance and accounting functions, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and CFO direction
• Partner with functional leads on specific projects to review key deliverables, identify risks, and ensure the integrity and accuracy of financial data and reporting
• Establish and monitor appropriate controls, policies, and performance metrics across the finance organization
• Support the CFO in evaluating program and process efficiency across departments
• Lead or assist cross-functional initiatives focused on process improvement, system enhancements, and operational scalability
• Provide guidance and oversight during critical periods such as month-end close, year-end close, audits, or potential ERP system implementations/Upgrades
• Step in at a leadership level during periods of transition, turnover, or increased workload to ensure continuity and stability
• Document procedures as required.
• Actively leads a project team.
• Directly supervises, trains, and mentors team members.
• Engages in talent strategy to find specialists, leaders, and future professionals for the firm through resume review and interviews.
• Demonstrates leadership in the implementation of sustainable strategies in all project assignments and the associated development of staff knowledge.
• Creates and drives new ways of working through contributing to the development of services, standards, procedures based in an understanding of the business principles that protect SOM from financial and legal risk.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life & accident insurance
• 401K matching, pre-tax spending accounts, and employee discount programs
• Inquire about our hybrid/flexible schedules, paid family leave, paid vacation, backup child and elder care, and an employee assistance program
• Reimbursement for professional licenses, associated renewals, and exam fees as well as specialized in-house career development

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager