US Payroll Manager - Client Services Consultant

Harbor

3d•Remote

About The Position

Harbor is seeking an experienced and adaptable US Payroll Manager to join their Client Services team. This role will initially focus on providing operational continuity for a key client, ensuring accurate, controlled, and timely US payroll delivery. The position may subsequently transition to other client engagements, involving business-as-usual payroll delivery or supporting payroll improvement, implementation, or transformation projects. The ideal candidate is comfortable in changing environments, learns new organizations and processes quickly, and can balance operational delivery with problem-solving and project support. Key responsibilities include overseeing accurate, timely, and compliant US payroll services, collaborating with senior client stakeholders, payroll vendors, HR, Finance, and other partners to deliver a high-quality service. This is a remote position, open to candidates in the UK or US, with a preference for UK-based candidates who can work hybrid from the Nantwich, England office.

Requirements

Significant experience managing end-to-end US payroll operations, ideally within a multi-client, consultancy, outsourced, or fast-changing environment.
Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll taxation and compliance requirements.
Practical experience managing multi-state payrolls and associated reporting obligations.
Strong experience using a recognised US payroll platform and working with integrated HR and payroll data.
Strong understanding of employee benefits, retirement plans, deductions, and payroll-related taxation.
Experience processing and reviewing variable compensation, including bonuses and commissions.
Working knowledge of payroll accounting, reconciliations, general ledger requirements, and financial controls.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting payroll implementations, migrations, stabilisation, or process improvement.
Experience of ADP Workforce Now and Workday preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide operational continuity for a key client, ensuring its US payroll remains accurate, controlled, and delivered on time.
Oversee the accurate, timely, and compliant delivery of US payroll services.
Work closely with senior client stakeholders, payroll vendors, HR, Finance, and other partners to deliver a responsive and high-quality service.
Establish strong working relationships with clients.
Take ownership of payroll delivery from the outset.
Identify priorities quickly and bring structure and stability to evolving situations.
Confidently work across payroll, HR, time, benefits, and finance systems.
Quickly learn and navigate different client systems and operating environments.
Maintain payroll data integrity and investigate discrepancies between source systems and payroll outputs.
Support system testing, data validation, process improvements, and implementation activity where required.
Use technology and automation to strengthen payroll controls, reporting, and operational efficiency.
Manage third-party payroll, benefits, tax, or other pay-related vendors.