Payroll Manager

Fusion Connect•USA - Remote - Georgia, GA

18d

About The Position

The Payroll Manager provides functional oversight and strategic leadership for payroll operations, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll administration. The role establishes payroll priorities, policies, controls, and performance expectations; oversees payroll tax compliance, financial reconciliation, reporting, systems, vendor relationships, and year-end activities; and leads the payroll team in identifying and managing operational risks and process improvements. The Payroll Manager partners with Human Resources, Finance, and other stakeholders to support effective payroll governance and business operations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Human Resources, Payroll Tax, or a related field; qualifying experience may substitute at two years of related experience for each year of education.
At least six years of experience managing full-cycle payroll processing and tax compliance for federal, state, and local authorities.
Recent experience with Workday Payroll, including proficiency in processing payroll and managing payroll-related data within the system.
Comprehensive knowledge of full-cycle payroll operations, payroll tax compliance, controls, audit readiness, and applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
Ability to lead payroll operations and systems initiatives, oversee vendor relationships, and implement process improvements.
Strong attention to detail and accuracy in payroll operations, processing, and reporting.
Strong analytical judgment, risk assessment, problem-solving, communication, and cross-functional partnership skills.
Demonstrated leadership and people-management skills, including setting priorities, coaching employees, managing performance, and maintaining accountability.
Ability to manage competing priorities and recurring deadlines while maintaining confidentiality, data security, and high standards of accuracy.
Ability to collaborate with HR, Finance, and other departments to gather information and resolve payroll-related issues.

Responsibilities

Oversee end-to-end payroll operations, setting priorities, operating standards, and strategic direction for accurate and timely payroll delivery.
Lead, coach, and evaluate payroll team members, setting accountability for performance, capacity, deadlines, and work quality.
Provide guidance and escalation support for complex payroll matters and ensure significant operational issues are resolved promptly.
Oversee payroll tax compliance, required filings, and deposits across applicable federal, state, and local jurisdictions.
Establish and maintain payroll controls, compliance procedures, and audit readiness; assess payroll risks and implement corrective measures.
Monitor changes in payroll laws and regulations, evaluate their impact, and direct necessary process or policy updates.
Partner with Finance on payroll-to-general-ledger reconciliation, financial reporting, and resolution of material variances.
Oversee payroll funding, accruals, and related financial controls; address significant reconciliation issues and provide accurate payroll information for financial reporting.
Lead major payroll projects, including system implementations, upgrades, and changes, establishing priorities, governance, and accountability.
Establish payroll systems strategy and oversee payroll vendor relationships, service delivery, and performance.
Identify and implement process improvements that strengthen payroll accuracy, compliance, controls, and operational efficiency.
Establish, maintain, and update payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls.
Define payroll key performance indicators, monitor team and operational performance, and report on trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.
Lead year-end payroll activities, establishing timelines, deliverables, and cross-functional responsibilities.
Oversee review and approval of Forms W-2 and related year-end reporting to ensure timely and accurate completion.
Partner with internal stakeholders and vendors to manage year-end dependencies, resolve issues, and meet reporting deadlines.
Maintain confidentiality and data security for payroll information and collaborate with HR, Finance, and other departments to resolve payroll-related issues.