Payroll Manager (Compliance) - Global Industrial

Genuine Parts Company•Atlanta, GA

About The Position

The primary focus of this position is ensuring that the payroll process and related transactions are executed timely and accurately. The Payroll Senior Manager will oversee a team responsible for routine payroll runs as well as off-cycle requests, ensuring compliance with rules/regulations and company policies. The position will constantly seek to optimize payroll processing to improve service levels, minimize errors/exceptions, and deliver a collective team performance inline with predetermined metrics and controls. The Senior Manager will also be responsible for resolving escalations and partnering with key stakeholders to ensure reporting and other operational needs are met.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; degree in accounting, finance or related business preferred
Experience in payroll for a large multi-state company as a manager or other leadership role
Eight or more years of experience in Payroll, Accounting, Business, Finance, Labor Relations, Process Improvement or related field
Proficient understanding of payroll processes, controls, financial compliance, and regulations
Experience managing third party vendors, preferably in a shared services environment
Experience with payroll applications and service providers (e.g. ADP) is preferred
Proficient in Workday, with a strong understanding of capabilities and functionality
Knowledge of Workday reporting tools to generate payroll reports and analyze data for auditing and/or compliance purposes
Skilled in troubleshooting and resolving payroll-related issues in Workday, such as payroll errors, tax discrepancies, and wage garnishments
Stay up-to-date with the latest Workday releases and updates, continuously expanding knowledge and skills
Excellent verbal and written communication skills in order to communicate with customers, peers, and vendors
A sense of urgency in solving customer requests to ensure timely resolution and an ability to work under pressure, multi-task, and meet deadlines
Ability to influence others, identify problems, and recommend a course of action
Experience in improving payroll processes to maximize efficiency and deliver quality services
Ability to process complex information and quickly identify innovative solutions that meet both internal and business partner requirements
Comfortable in handling ambiguity and fluid situations, demonstrating a pragmatic approach
Experience in providing independent technical guidance and counsel to key stakeholders at various level of experience and hierarchy in the organization

Nice To Haves

Experience with Workday
Eye for detail, confidence to challenge and ask questions
Logical, structured and process-orientated thinking
Ability to document, plan and execute programs
Established project management skills
Demonstrated skill in judgement to make decisions and handle complex tasks or problems
Ability to assess quality of information given and ask pertinent questions to stakeholders
Ability to offer new solutions to problems outside of set parameters and is able to construct and provide recommendations
Detail and numerical orientated with good analytical and problem-solving skills
Knowledge of accounting principles (i.e., general ledger) and understanding of finance concepts
Strong oral and written communication skills
Articulate, adaptable, with excellent inter-personal and cross-cultural skills
Ability to influence, advise and guide others through options and points of view
Ability to transfer knowledge and develop others through coaching and mentoring
Ability to work independently by leading, guiding, and/or coordinating others and operating within a defined budget
Good with Excel, Word, and PowerPoint; quick adaptability to systems, tools, and processes

Responsibilities

Manage the overall payroll compliance functions of a large multi-state and multi-country shared services payroll department in carrying out responsibility for payroll preparation/processing for large-scale employee base
Ensures adherence to the corporate payroll strategy and objectives
Organizes and oversees planning and execution of the payroll compliance function and related services
Manages relationship with payroll provider and other outsourcers as applicable
Collaborate cross-functionally with other departments (e.g., Finance, Benefits, HR, IT)
Navigating payroll compliance team through unexpected circumstances and/or instability
Implements continuous strategic process improvements to maintain the quality, efficiency and overall effectiveness of the payroll functions and system of internal controls, to increase accuracy and decrease risk of fraud and errors
Directs and evaluates activities of assigned payroll team and employees engaged in reconciliation and payment of employer/employee taxes, maintaining payroll control records, and preparing yearend employee statements
Oversees and approves the payroll general ledger integration and related activity.
Reviews system testing and provide final sign-off on all configuration and integration updates that impact payroll compliance
Maintains payroll standard operating procedures and oversight of the adherence to policy and procedures, as well as internal controls
Measures both individual and team performance relative to goals and objectives (i.e., operational metrics, adherence to predetermined SLAs, results against project timelines, training documentation, attendance records, knowledge of operational roles and responsibilities, personal development goals)
Ensures compliance with internal policies and controls, as well as compliance with external laws and regulatory guidance (e.g., SOX)
Responsible for oversight of payroll related accounting journal entries and reconciliations
Serve as payroll contact for internal audits, external audits, and government audits, as needed
Maintain data integrity and confidentiality in Workday, adhering to privacy and security policies