Payroll Manager

WesleyLife Career • Johnston, IA

10d

About The Position

Key Responsibilities Leadership & Team Development Lead, mentor, and develop payroll team members to build a high‑performing, service‑driven department. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Establish clear goals, expectations, and performance standards for the payroll function. Payroll Operations Oversee end‑to‑end payroll processing for all employee groups, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with internal policies and regulatory requirements. Maintains expertise in IRS, DOL, and FLSA regulations; collaborates with the Controller, CFO, and Chief Culture Officer to ensure adherence to evolving requirements. Partners with the Benefits team to ensure deductions and billings are reconciled and accurate. Partners with the Chief Culture Officer to update team member policies and pay practices. Serves as WesleyLife’s primary payroll contact, including communication with federal, state, and local agencies. Maintain and enhance payroll systems, workflows, and internal controls. Review payroll reports, audit data, and resolve discrepancies promptly. Oversee payroll tax filings, wage garnishments, benefit deductions, and year‑end reporting (W‑2s, etc.). Supports Payroll‑Based Journal (PBJ) submissions. Compliance & Governance Stay current with federal, state, and local wage and hour regulations. Ensure payroll practices adhere to legal, financial, and audit standards. Partner with HR, Finance, and internal audit to support policy development and ensure alignment. Process Improvement & Technology Identify opportunities to automate, streamline, and modernize payroll processes. Collaborate with HRIS and IT teams on system upgrades, integrations, and enhancements. Implement best practices to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and the employee experience. Cross‑Functional Collaboration Serve as a trusted partner to HR and Finance, offering insights, reporting, and guidance related to payroll data. Provide exceptional customer service to employees by resolving payroll inquiries with professionalism and clarity. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience). 5+ years of payroll experience, including at least 2 years in a supervisory or management role. Strong knowledge of payroll regulations, tax rules, and wage-and-hour laws. Experience with major payroll or HRIS systems, preferably UKG. High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and analytical ability. Preferred Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or similar certification. Experience in multi‑state payroll or a complex organizational structure. Experience leading process redesign or transformation initiatives. Key Leadership Competencies Integrity & Accountability: Leads with transparency and demonstrates strong judgment. Strategic Thinking: Sees the big picture while managing operational details effectively. Change Leadership: Drives improvements and manages change with confidence and clarity. Communication: Clearly explains payroll matters to both technical and non‑technical audiences. Employee‑Centered Mindset: Prioritizes accuracy, service, and responsiveness.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of payroll experience, including at least 2 years in a supervisory or management role.
• Strong knowledge of payroll regulations, tax rules, and wage-and-hour laws.
• Experience with major payroll or HRIS systems, preferably UKG.
• High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and analytical ability.

Nice To Haves

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or similar certification.
• Experience in multi‑state payroll or a complex organizational structure.
• Experience leading process redesign or transformation initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop payroll team members to build a high‑performing, service‑driven department.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Establish clear goals, expectations, and performance standards for the payroll function.
• Oversee end‑to‑end payroll processing for all employee groups, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with internal policies and regulatory requirements.
• Maintains expertise in IRS, DOL, and FLSA regulations; collaborates with the Controller, CFO, and Chief Culture Officer to ensure adherence to evolving requirements.
• Partners with the Benefits team to ensure deductions and billings are reconciled and accurate.
• Partners with the Chief Culture Officer to update team member policies and pay practices.
• Serves as WesleyLife’s primary payroll contact, including communication with federal, state, and local agencies.
• Maintain and enhance payroll systems, workflows, and internal controls.
• Review payroll reports, audit data, and resolve discrepancies promptly.
• Oversee payroll tax filings, wage garnishments, benefit deductions, and year‑end reporting (W‑2s, etc.).
• Supports Payroll‑Based Journal (PBJ) submissions.
• Stay current with federal, state, and local wage and hour regulations.
• Ensure payroll practices adhere to legal, financial, and audit standards.
• Partner with HR, Finance, and internal audit to support policy development and ensure alignment.
• Identify opportunities to automate, streamline, and modernize payroll processes.
• Collaborate with HRIS and IT teams on system upgrades, integrations, and enhancements.
• Implement best practices to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and the employee experience.
• Serve as a trusted partner to HR and Finance, offering insights, reporting, and guidance related to payroll data.
• Provide exceptional customer service to employees by resolving payroll inquiries with professionalism and clarity.

What This Job Offers

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