Payroll Operations Manager

Kittitas Interactive Management•Yakima, WA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Payroll Operations Manager leads payroll administration, payroll system management, labor reporting, and selected finance operations. The role serves as the organization’s payroll and workforce-finance subject matter expert, ensuring accurate and timely employee pay while maintaining internal controls, regulatory compliance, confidentiality, and responsive customer service. The position is the primary administrator for People Guru and the liaison with payroll vendors and related service providers. In addition to payroll oversight, the Payroll Operations Manager supports finance initiatives through reporting, labor analytics, reconciliations, process improvement, and cross-functional collaboration. The role contributes to consistent and reliable operations, responsible financial stewardship, organizational planning, and continuous improvement. The position manages bi-weekly payroll, related employee and system records, payroll vendor coordination, compliance activities, reconciliations, labor reporting, budgeting support, and employee payroll inquiries. It also participates in a scheduled Tier 3 Ready Squad rotation, maintaining availability for physical deployment and on-site relief across supported living homes when specified coverage needs arise. Work is performed primarily in an office environment. Additional hours may occasionally be required during payroll processing periods, audits, year-end activities, system implementations, and special projects.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
At least 3 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; communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and electronically; and 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 similar Human Capital Management (HCM) systems.
Experience with financial reporting, account reconciliations, budgeting support, or finance operations.
Supervisory or leadership experience.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.

Responsibilities

Manage and oversee bi-weekly payroll for all employees, reviewing payroll data before submission and processing.
Maintain accurate and secure payroll, employee pay, direct deposit, deduction, and tax records; process hires, terminations, wage and status changes, and benefit deductions.
Administer garnishments, child support orders, levies, and other required payroll deductions.
Review employee time records and work with managers to resolve discrepancies; monitor leave balances and paid time off accruals.
Administer People Guru and related payroll systems, maintaining system tables, codes, organizational structures, and employee data.
Coordinate system upgrades, testing, troubleshooting, vendor support, and opportunities to improve system functionality and user experience.
Develop and maintain system procedures and training documentation; support and train managers and employees on system functionality.
Liaise with payroll vendors and service providers on processing, tax filings, W-2 preparation, system updates, and issue resolution; review provider reports and filings for accuracy and completeness.
Monitor payroll practices for compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and organizational policies; coordinate payroll audits and provide supporting documentation.
Maintain and audit employee meal break attestations across agency sites in the HRIS/payroll system.
Reconcile payroll-related accounts, investigate discrepancies, and assist with payroll and labor expense month-end and year-end close activities.
Support audit preparation, finance department internal controls, special projects, and selected finance functions, including employee reimbursement administration.
Develop and maintain payroll, labor, overtime, staffing, and workforce reports; analyze labor expenses and workforce trends for organizational decision-making.
Provide payroll and labor cost data for annual budgeting and forecasting; prepare ad hoc analyses for leadership and identify staffing or labor-utilization improvement opportunities.
Participate in the scheduled Tier 3 Ready Squad rotation in a waiting-to-be-engaged status under SOP-SCH-002; maintain availability for physical deployment and on-site relief across supported living homes to meet mandatory Home Coverage requirements, mitigate staff fatigue under SOP-HR-018, and address critical shift vacancies when Tier 1 and Tier 2 cascades are exhausted.
Serve as the primary contact for employee payroll inquiries and provide guidance on pay practices, deductions, timekeeping, and payroll policies.
Partner with Human Resources on employee record and benefit deduction accuracy; assist managers with payroll reports and processes.
Evaluate payroll and finance processes, identify automation and workflow improvements, maintain procedures and documentation, and lead or participate in cross-functional improvement initiatives.
Promote accurate, consistent, and accountable operations, strong internal controls, confidentiality, customer service, and continuous improvement.