Sr. Manager, Payroll & Tax

Crete Professionals Alliance • Tampa, FL

3d • $130 - $156 • Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Senior Manager, Payroll to join our HR team. This position will be responsible for payroll processing for integrated entities on our platform. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in payroll administration, project management skills, and experience managing multiple pay groups.

Requirements

• Minimum of 7+ years of experience in multi-state payroll processing, with increasing responsibility.
• 2+ years experience leading or managing a team (directly or as a lead) and owning a payroll process end-to-end.
• Strong knowledge of payroll systems, benefits administration, and compliance requirements.
• UKG experience highly preferred.
• Proven experience preparing, reconciling, and filing monthly, quarterly, and annual federal, state, and local payroll tax returns (Forms 941, 940, state withholding, state unemployment, etc.).
• Strong working knowledge of multi-state tax compliance, including state-specific deposit schedules and filing requirements.
• Experience with quarterly payroll tax reconciliations and resolving variances between payroll registers, general ledger, and tax filings.
• Familiarity with electronic filing systems (e.g., EFTPS, state portals, local tax agency sites).
• Demonstrated ability to research, resolve, and respond to tax notices from federal, state, and local agencies.
• Experience preparing amended returns (941-X or state equivalents) when errors are identified.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and payroll software (e.g., UKG, Rippling, Paycom etc.).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.

Nice To Haves

• Strongly preferred: background in either benefits administration OR US payroll taxation (or both).
• Certification in Payroll (e.g., CPP) or Project Management (e.g., PMP) is a plus.
• Experience with HRIS systems and data migration processes.
• Familiarity with merger and acquisition processes and integration strategies.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end multi-state payroll execution for assigned pay groups, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and on-time delivery.
• Serve as the process owner for payroll: maintain SOPs, define controls, and drive standardization across integrated entities.
• Partner with Finance to ensure payroll-to-GL alignment, support accruals, and deliver recurring payroll reporting and analytics.
• Lead payroll month-end/quarter-end/year-end activities, including reconciliations and audit support.
• Oversee payroll data integrity across HRIS/payroll systems (e.g., UKG), including audits and troubleshooting.
• Manage, coach, and develop more junior Payroll Manager as well as Payroll Processors/Admins; set clear expectations, review work quality, and ensure cross-coverage.
• Build scalable workflows and training to support growth, acquisitions, and changing pay group complexity.
• Monitor changes in federal, state, and local payroll regulations and ensure timely implementation and communication.
• Triage and resolve escalated employee inquiries related to pay, taxation, deductions, and benefits.
• Coordinate with Benefits/Total Rewards and external partners to ensure accurate deductions, 401(k) changes/funding, and benefit reconciliations.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams (HR, IT, Finance, and acquired-firm stakeholders) to onboard new entities and implement new processes/systems.
• Lead system audits and data migration activities to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives to reduce errors, improve cycle time, and strengthen controls.

Benefits

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance (with options for fully paid employee only coverage for health and dental)
• Company-Paid Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Ancillary Benefits such as supplemental life insurance and short-term disability options
• Classic Safe Harbor 401(k) Plan with employer contributions
• Opportunities for professional growth, learning, and development including access to Becker and LinkedIn Learning

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed