Senior Payroll Manager

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company•Akron, OH

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Payroll Manager is responsible for overseeing the entire payroll function, setting strategic goals, and ensuring compliance with payroll laws, accounting standards, and regulatory requirements. This role leads payroll initiatives, manages vendors, and drives process improvements while maintaining strong financial and operational controls, including Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. The manager provides direction to payroll staff, partners with HR and Finance, and serves as the primary liaison with external service providers to ensure accurate, timely payroll delivery. With a focus on continuous improvement, the position emphasizes leadership, vendor management, and strategic planning to deliver best-practice payroll services. Why This Role Matters Oversees the entire payroll function, ensuring compliance with payroll laws, accounting standards, and Sarbanes-Oxley controls while driving strategic improvements. Leads payroll initiatives, vendor management, and system enhancements to deliver accurate, timely payroll services and improve efficiency. Provides leadership and direction to payroll staff, fostering collaboration across HR, Finance, and external service providers to resolve issues and maintain service excellence. Plays a critical role in shaping payroll strategy, implementing best practices, and ensuring that organizational goals and regulatory requirements are consistently met. What You Will Do Develop and execute payroll strategies that ensure compliance, efficiency, and continuous improvement. Lead payroll initiatives, including vendor selection, system upgrades, and process improvements, while delivering projects on-time and on-budget. Maintain strong financial and operational controls, ensuring Sarbanes-Oxley compliance and supporting audits with accurate reporting. Provide leadership, coaching, and direction to payroll staff and vendor partners, ensuring performance metrics and service-level agreements are met. Partner with HR, Finance, and external service providers to resolve issues, implement changes, and ensure accurate payroll delivery. Monitor and benchmark payroll practices, driving innovation and best-practice standards across the organization.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations, or a related field.
8+ years of experience managing complex, multi-state payroll operations.
Expertise in payroll and tax laws.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
Proven leadership in directing diverse teams.
Experience driving continuous improvement.
Experience managing vendors in high-volume transactional environments.
Strong background with payroll/finance systems such as SAP and Workday.
Experience with project management and compliance oversight.
Proven track record on managing payroll external service providers.

Responsibilities

Oversee the entire payroll function, ensuring compliance with payroll laws, accounting standards, and Sarbanes-Oxley controls.
Drive strategic improvements in payroll processes and systems.
Lead payroll initiatives, including vendor selection, system upgrades, and process improvements.
Deliver projects on-time and on-budget.
Maintain strong financial and operational controls, ensuring Sarbanes-Oxley compliance.
Support audits with accurate reporting.
Provide leadership, coaching, and direction to payroll staff and vendor partners.
Ensure performance metrics and service-level agreements are met.
Partner with HR, Finance, and external service providers to resolve issues, implement changes, and ensure accurate payroll delivery.
Monitor and benchmark payroll practices, driving innovation and best-practice standards.