Payroll Manager

Steno

12d • $85,000 - $100,000 • Remote

About The Position

The Payroll Manager will own and execute the full payroll cycle for all US and international employees and contractors, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with federal, state, and local requirements. This role involves administering and maintaining payroll operations within Rippling HCM, acting as the primary liaison between the People and Finance teams, and partnering with department leaders to process commission and bonus payouts. The manager will lead payroll compliance across all US states, manage year-end payroll processes, respond to payroll inquiries, and maintain/improve payroll policies and procedures. Additionally, the role supports month-end close reconciliations with Finance, provides payroll cost data for headcount planning, and assists with audits and ad hoc payroll projects.

Requirements

• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience, including full ownership of multi-state payroll cycles.
• Hands-on experience with Rippling HCM.
• Strong working knowledge of payroll compliance requirements across all US states.
• Experience working cross-functionally between People/HR and Finance teams, with excellent stakeholder communication skills.
• Solid understanding of payroll accounting concepts, including how payroll expenses flow into month-end close.
• Demonstrated experience processing commission and bonus payouts in partnership with cross-functional business teams.
• Highly detail-oriented, organized, and comfortable managing competing deadlines.

Nice To Haves

• Direct experience in California, New York, Texas, and/or Florida is a plus.
• Experience supporting headcount planning or workforce cost forecasting with a Strategic Finance/FP&A team.
• Prior experience in a high-growth or remote-first organization.
• CPP certification.

Responsibilities

• Own and execute the full payroll cycle for all US and international employees and contractors, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with federal, state, and local requirements.
• Administer and maintain payroll operations within Rippling HCM, including pay runs, tax setup, deductions, and employee data integrity.
• Act as the primary liaison between the People and Finance teams, ensuring payroll-related information (new hires, terminations, pay changes, leaves, commission/bonus data) flows accurately with no gaps or delays.
• Partner with department and business unit leaders to process commission and bonus payouts, ensuring calculations, approvals, and timing align with plan documents and policy.
• Lead payroll compliance across all US states and applicable federal requirements, including wage and hour law, tax and unemployment insurance obligations, unclaimed property, and benefits-related payroll reporting.
• Serve as subject matter expert on multi-state payroll compliance, with particular depth in California, New York, Texas, and Florida.
• Manage year-end payroll processes, including W-2 preparation, tax filings, and audits.
• Respond to payroll-related inquiries from employees and managers, resolving discrepancies quickly and professionally.
• Maintain and improve payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls; identify opportunities to automate or streamline processes.
• Partner with Finance to explain and reconcile payroll expense changes at month-end close, providing variance context and supporting documentation.
• Work with the Strategic Finance team on headcount planning, providing payroll cost data, forecasts, and scenario modeling as needed.
• Support internal and external audits related to payroll, tax, and compliance.
• Support other ad hoc payroll-related projects as needed.

Benefits

• Health, Vision, & Dental Benefits – generous company-sponsored health plans for both employees and dependents, including comprehensive vision & dental.
• Wellness/Mental Health – shared benefits to be used among employees and families.
• Flexible Paid Time Off
• Options of Equity
• Access to a 401k through Guideline.
• A home office setup and a monthly stipend to offset internet and phone costs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed