Payroll Operations Manager

Kittitas Interactive Management•Yakima, WA

3d•$25 - $27

About The Position

The Payroll Operations Manager leads payroll administration, payroll system management, labor reporting, and selected finance operations. The role is the organization’s subject matter expert for payroll and workforce-related financial information, ensuring accurate and timely employee pay while maintaining internal controls, regulatory compliance, and responsive customer service. The manager administers PeopleGuru and serves as the organization’s liaison with payroll vendors and related service providers. The position also supports financial reporting, labor analytics, reconciliations, process improvement, and cross-functional initiatives. The role oversees bi-weekly payroll for all employees, payroll records and employee changes, time and leave information, payroll deductions, system administration, vendor coordination, and payroll compliance. It supports finance operations through account reconciliations, closing activities, audit preparation, reimbursements, budgeting, forecasting, and workforce analytics. The manager also provides employee and manager support, develops procedures and training materials, and leads or participates in process improvements. The position participates in a scheduled Tier 3 Ready Squad rotation in a waiting-to-be-engaged status. It maintains availability for physical deployment and on-site relief at supported living homes to meet mandatory home coverage requirements, mitigate staff fatigue, and address critical shift vacancies when Tier 1 and Tier 2 coverage cascades are exhausted. Work is performed primarily in an office environment, with frequent interaction with employees, managers, vendors, and organizational leadership. Additional hours may occasionally be required during payroll processing periods, audits, year-end activities, system implementations, and special projects. The position requires extended sitting at a computer, effective communication in person, by telephone, and electronically, and occasional lifting and moving of materials weighing up to 25 pounds.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
At least three years of payroll administration experience required.
Experience with outsourced payroll providers required.
Strong knowledge of payroll administration and payroll best practices.
Working knowledge of wage and hour regulations and payroll compliance requirements.
Proficiency with HRIS, payroll, and financial systems.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills; excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
Strong verbal and written communication skills and excellent customer service and relationship-building abilities.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately.
Ability to interpret financial and workforce data and present meaningful recommendations.
Ability to sit for extended periods while working at a computer and communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and electronically.
Ability to occasionally lift and move materials weighing up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field.
Experience administering payroll in a multi-site or multi-department organization.
Experience with PeopleGuru or a similar Human Capital Management (HCM) system.
Experience with financial reporting, account reconciliations, budgeting support, or finance operations.
Supervisory or leadership experience.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.

Responsibilities

Manage and oversee the bi-weekly payroll process for all employees, reviewing and auditing payroll data before submission and processing.
Maintain accurate and secure payroll records, employee pay information, direct deposit records, deductions, tax information, and employee data.
Process employee changes, including hires, terminations, wage and status changes, and benefit deductions; administer garnishments, child support orders, levies, and other required deductions.
Review employee time records, resolve discrepancies with managers, and monitor leave balances, paid time off accruals, and payroll-related employee records.
Administer PeopleGuru and related payroll systems, maintaining payroll tables, earnings and deduction codes, organizational structures, and employee data.
Coordinate system upgrades, testing, troubleshooting, vendor support, and system enhancements; develop user procedures and training documentation and support managers and employees.
Serve as the primary liaison with payroll vendors and service providers; coordinate payroll processing, tax filings, W-2 preparation, system updates, issue resolution, and review of provider reports and filings.
Monitor payroll practices for compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and organizational policies; coordinate payroll-related audits and provide documentation.
Monitor, maintain, and audit employee meal-break attestations across agency sites within the HRIS/payroll system.
Reconcile payroll-related accounts, investigate discrepancies, assist with month-end and year-end closing related to payroll and labor expenses, and support audit preparation and internal controls.
Provide backup support for selected finance functions, participate in finance projects, and assist with employee reimbursement administration and related processes.
Develop and maintain payroll, labor, overtime, staffing, and workforce reports; analyze labor expenses and workforce trends for organizational decision-making.
Support annual budgeting and forecasting with payroll and labor cost data; prepare ad hoc analyses and identify staffing and labor utilization trends and improvement opportunities.
Participate in scheduled Tier 3 Ready Squad rotation and maintain availability for physical deployment and on-site relief at supported living homes to address mandatory coverage needs and critical shift vacancies.
Serve as the primary contact for employee payroll inquiries and provide guidance on pay practices, deductions, timekeeping procedures, and payroll policies.
Partner with Human Resources on employee record and benefit deduction accuracy; assist managers in understanding payroll reports and processes and provide responsive customer service.
Evaluate payroll and finance processes, identify automation and workflow improvements, maintain procedures and documentation, and lead or participate in cross-functional improvement initiatives.
Establish standardized payroll and finance procedures, support training and documentation, maintain complete records, and promote accuracy, efficiency, accountability, and operational reliability.
Partner with leadership and other departments on labor analysis, workforce reporting, financial data, operational planning, and continuous improvement.