Payroll Manager

Cherry Bekaert•Falls Church, VA

17d

About The Position

Cherry Bekaert Recruiting is seeking an experienced Payroll Manager with deep Workday Payroll expertise to lead the execution, accuracy, and continuous improvement of our weekly payroll operations. This is a hands-on manager role for a payroll leader who thrives in complex environments, brings strong judgment, and is passionate about building and developing a high-performing payroll team. This role is ideal for someone who is a true payroll expert —someone we can rely on for guidance on all things payroll, who takes ownership of accuracy and compliance, and who partners closely with HR, Finance, and other stakeholders to create an elite, scalable payroll function.

Requirements

Manager-level payroll experience , including direct people leadership
Manager-level Workday Payroll experience (hands-on, not just exposure)
Extensive experience with: Weekly payroll processing Payroll audits and reconciliations Adjustments, corrections, and retroactive pay Terminations, final pay, and off-cycle payrolls
Strong knowledge of U.S. payroll laws and compliance requirements
Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing payroll teams

Nice To Haves

CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) or equivalent certification
Experience supporting a fast-paced or growing organization
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and process improvement skills

Responsibilities

Payroll Processing & Execution Lead and oversee weekly payroll processing , ensuring accurate and timely payroll calculations
Manage weekly payroll audits , identifying and resolving discrepancies prior to payroll close
Process and approve: Payroll adjustments and corrections Retroactive payments Terminations and final pay calculations Out-of-cycle payments
Ensure payroll compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour regulations
Serve as the primary escalation point for complex payroll issues
Act as the Payroll subject matter expert (SME) for Workday Payroll
Partner with HRIS and HR teams on: Payroll configuration and enhancements Testing and validation of system changes Ongoing process improvements
Ensure data integrity between Workday HCM, Time Tracking, and Payroll
Lead, coach, and develop the payroll team, establishing best practices and clear accountability
Build scalable payroll processes that support accuracy, efficiency, and future growth
Create and maintain documentation, controls, and standard operating procedures
Foster a culture of precision, ownership, and continuous improvement within the payroll team
Partner closely with HR, HRIS, Finance, and Legal on payroll-related initiatives
Support audits and internal controls related to payroll
Provide insights and recommendations to leadership on payroll operations and improvements