Financial Compliance Project Manager

Skidmore Owings & Merrill•Chicago, IL

About The Position

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.