Sr Manager, Payroll Operations - Global Industrial

Genuine Parts Company•Atlanta, GA

About The Position

The Senior Manager of Payroll leads payroll operations for a complex, international and multi-state organization and reports directly to the Director of Payroll. The role ensures accurate and compliant payroll processing while providing leadership to a team of payroll professionals. The successful candidate brings expertise in full-cycle payroll administration, payroll compliance, payroll accounting, and internal controls, and partners with Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, Internal Audit, and senior business leaders. The position also influences payroll strategy, process improvements, talent development, and operational excellence. The role oversees full-cycle payroll processing and related activities, payroll accounting and reporting, compliance, internal controls, audits, and complex payroll escalations. It serves as the Payroll functional lead for Workday Absence, Payroll, and Time and Scheduling, collaborating with HRIS, IT, Finance, and business stakeholders to optimize processes and system performance. The position requires a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, at least 10 years of progressive payroll experience, including multi-state payroll operations, and at least five years of payroll team leadership experience. A master's degree is preferred; a Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation is listed under licenses and certifications.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
Ten or more years of progressive payroll experience, including significant experience managing multi-state payroll operations.
Five or more years of leadership experience managing payroll teams.
Experience with Workday Payroll and Workday HCM.
Extensive knowledge of full-cycle payroll processing and administration.
Strong understanding of payroll tax regulations, wage and hour laws, and payroll compliance requirements.
Experience supporting payroll accounting, including journal entries, reconciliations, accruals, and month-end close processes.
Demonstrated experience working within a SOX-controlled environment.
Experience supporting internal and external audit activities.
Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience utilizing payroll reporting tools.
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead all aspects of full-cycle international and multi-state payroll processing for exempt and non-exempt employees.
Ensure payroll is accurate, timely, and compliant with applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
Oversee payroll earnings, deductions, taxation, garnishments, benefits, direct deposits, and year-end processing.
Manage payroll calendars, processing schedules, quality controls, and service level expectations.
Review payroll audits, exception reports, reconciliations, and data validation processes.
Lead, coach, and develop payroll professionals; establish performance expectations and accountability; conduct performance reviews, succession planning, and career development; and support onboarding and training.
Foster continuous improvement, customer service, collaboration, and compliance.
Partner with Finance and Accounting to ensure payroll transactions are accurately reflected in the general ledger.
Oversee payroll accruals, journal entries, and month-end close activities; ensure payroll data supports financial reporting and forecasting.
Analyze payroll trends and provide reporting and recommendations to leadership.
Maintain and strengthen payroll controls in a SOX-compliant environment; ensure adherence to payroll regulations, wage and hour laws, tax requirements, and company policies.
Develop, monitor, and improve payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls; partner with Internal Audit and Compliance to evaluate and mitigate payroll risks; maintain control documentation and evidence.
Serve as the primary point of contact for internal and external payroll audits, coordinating requests and timely delivery of supporting documentation.
Manage complex payroll issues and escalations, provide resolution and guidance, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions.
Serve as the Payroll functional lead for Workday Absence, Payroll, and Time and Scheduling, partnering with HRIS, IT, Finance, and business stakeholders to optimize processes and system performance.
Oversee payroll-related Workday configuration, testing, validation, and release management.
Lead payroll participation in Workday enhancements, upgrades, integrations, and new functionality deployments.
Ensure data integrity across Workday Payroll, HCM, Benefits, Time Tracking, Finance, and third-party systems.
Develop and maintain Workday payroll reporting, dashboards, and analytics; identify opportunities to improve efficiency, controls, and employee experience using Workday functionality.