Payroll Manager

Kennedy/Jenks Consultants, Inc.•Portland, OR

3d•$70,000 - $100,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Kennedy Jenks is seeking a Payroll Manager in Portland, Oregon to oversee accurate, compliant, and efficient payroll operations across our teams, functions, and business priorities. This is an opportunity where you are accountable for multi-state payroll processing, compliance, controls, reconciliations, and continuous process improvement. You’ll play a key role in ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time, payroll processes remain compliant and well-controlled, and payroll systems and workflows continue to evolve with the needs of the business.

Requirements

5+ years of progressive payroll administration experience, including 2+ years in a Payroll Manager, Lead Payroll Specialist, or senior payroll role.
Strong knowledge of multi-state payroll processing, payroll tax compliance, wage and hour requirements, payroll reconciliation, deductions, garnishments, benefits, and leave administration.
Ability to work effectively with employees, managers, HR, Finance, auditors, and external partners while handling sensitive and confidential information.
Strong analytical and attention-to-detail skills with the ability to investigate discrepancies, manage competing deadlines, and improve processes.
Experience with payroll, HRIS, and ERP systems and advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including PivotTables, lookup functions, data validation, reconciliation analysis, and exception reporting.
Organized, proactive, dependable, and comfortable taking ownership of complex processes and sensitive information.
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience may be considered.
5+ years of progressive payroll experience with multi-state payroll processing required.
Multi-state payroll tax compliance, FLSA and wage and hour requirements, payroll accounting and reconciliation, internal controls, and quality assurance.
CPP or FPC certification preferred but not required.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a project-based or professional services organization
Prevailing wage administration
Payroll process documentation or workflow design

Responsibilities

Lead payroll processing: Oversee accurate and timely multi-state payroll processing, including deductions, garnishments, benefits, leave, adjustments, and off-cycle payments.
Ensure compliance: Manage payroll tax compliance and monitor applicable wage and hour requirements, including FLSA and prevailing wage requirements.
Maintain payroll controls: Reconcile payroll and related accounting entries, investigate discrepancies, and maintain quality assurance and internal control procedures.
Manage systems and processes: Administer payroll, HRIS, and ERP systems and identify opportunities to improve workflows, automation, and data accuracy.
Support audits and documentation: Coordinate payroll audits and maintain process documentation, SOPs, training materials, and other resources that support consistent payroll practices.
Partner across the organization: Collaborate with Human Resources, Finance, managers, employees, and external partners to resolve payroll issues and support business needs.