Sr. Payroll Manager

LJA • Katy, TX

3d

About The Position

The Sr. Payroll Manager leads accurate, timely, compliant, and secure payroll administration across a complex, multi-state organization. The role provides strategic oversight of payroll operations, leads and develops the payroll team, optimizes payroll technology and processes, supports financial reporting and audits, and partners with Human Resources, Benefits, Accounting, and operational leaders. It also leads payroll integration activities related to mergers, acquisitions, and organizational changes.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business, accounting, finance, or a related field.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification.
• 10 or more years of progressive payroll experience, including leadership and supervisory responsibilities in a complex, multi-state environment.
• At least two years of strategic administration and optimization of a payroll platform.
• At least two years of UKG Pro payroll processing experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading payroll process improvement, operational transformation, automation, and efficiency initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of payroll regulations and tax requirements, accounting principles, financial reporting, qualified retirement plans and 401(k) administration, and benefit deductions.
• Proven ability to manage complex payroll operations, system implementations, integrations, and cross-functional projects.
• Thorough knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations.

Nice To Haves

• Experience leading payroll integration for mergers, acquisitions, or other significant organizational changes.
• Experience supporting 401(k), ESOP, FAR, financial, and compliance audits.
• Working knowledge of BST, Spectrum, Vision, QuickBooks, or comparable accounting and project management systems.
• Strong leadership, coaching, communication, collaboration, and relationship-management skills.
• Ability to translate complex payroll and compliance requirements into practical, scalable processes and system solutions.
• Strong analytical judgment, attention to detail, discretion, and commitment to payroll data security and confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of multi-state payroll operations through UKG Pro, ensuring payroll is accurate, timely, secure, and compliant.
• Monitor federal, state, and local payroll regulations and labor law changes, and implement necessary process and system updates.
• Oversee administration, reconciliation, and remittance of 401(k) payroll deductions.
• Review payroll documentation, general ledger coding, funding requests, and journal entries for accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the payroll team through coaching, training, goal setting, performance management, and engagement initiatives.
• Establish expectations, accountability, and service standards that support accuracy, responsiveness, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as the payroll subject matter expert and partner to Human Resources, Benefits, Accounting, and operational leaders.
• Evaluate payroll processes and implement scalable improvements to productivity, accuracy, controls, and service delivery.
• Lead UKG Pro enhancements, automation, and optimization initiatives.
• Manage payroll-related systems and integrations, including UKG Pro, BST, Spectrum, Vision, and QuickBooks.
• Lead complex payroll projects, system implementations, testing, and cross-functional process improvements.
• Direct period-end payroll activities, including journal entries, account reconciliations, schedules, analyses, and reporting.
• Maintain payroll documentation and strengthen internal controls for consistency, security, audit readiness, and compliance.
• Support internal and external 401(k), ESOP, FAR, financial, and compliance audits with records, analyses, and documentation.
• Lead payroll integration for mergers and acquisitions, including payroll setup, data validation, system conversion, testing, employee transition, and post-integration stabilization.
• Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to assess payroll risks, requirements, timelines, and dependencies related to acquisitions and organizational changes.
• Perform other payroll, accounting, systems, or leadership duties as warranted or directed.

Benefits

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
• Paid time off, paid holidays, and a full office closure between Christmas and New Year's.
• Multiple health and dental plan options.
• Pet insurance.
• Mental-health support.
• Paid maternity and parental leave.
• Tuition reimbursement and in-house courses provided by the Learning and Development team.
• Referral bonuses.
• Company-sponsored volunteer days and philanthropic initiatives.
• Memberships to industry organizations.
• Internal mobility and career growth opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior