Senior Payroll Manager
Own multi-state, multi-entity payroll operations and lead the organization’s transition from a PEO to Rippling. The role requires 7–8+ years of payroll experience, strong tax and controls expertise, and the ability to build and eventually lead an internal payroll function.
About the job
Responsibilities
- Own end-to-end payroll operations across two legal entities, processing four monthly payroll cycles for salaried and hourly employees.
- Lead the PEO-to-Rippling transition, including implementation, data migration, employee communications, training, and first-year operations.
- Ensure accurate and timely federal, state, and local payroll tax filings and payments.
- Oversee benefits-related payments and deductions, including retirement contributions, health and welfare premiums, leave payments, and garnishments.
- Configure and administer Rippling, including pay groups, earnings and deduction codes, tax jurisdictions, general ledger mapping, permissions, workflows, approvals, integrations, and troubleshooting.
- Establish and maintain payroll controls, including segregation of duties, approval workflows, access controls, and documented procedures.
- Reconcile payroll data with Accounting and ensure accurate coding, journal entries, financial reporting, and period-end close support.
- Resolve employee pay inquiries and partner with People, Legal, Accounting, and external vendors on audits, data requests, and process improvements.
- Monitor payroll tax and wage-and-hour regulations, identify compliance risks, and drive remediation.
- Build a scalable internal payroll function and document processes and controls.
- Hire, onboard, and manage a Payroll Coordinator or Specialist as the function grows.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or equivalent experience.
- 7–8+ years of progressive, hands-on multi-state and multi-entity payroll experience.
- Admin-level expertise with modern HRIS platforms; Rippling experience is preferred.
- Experience leading payroll system implementations or transitioning away from a PEO.
- Direct experience with payroll tax compliance, filings, and remittances.
- Experience implementing and maintaining internal controls and supporting audits.
- Expertise in benefits administration related to payroll, including retirement, health and welfare deductions, leave payments, and garnishments.
- Previous people-management experience or readiness to lead a direct report.
- Strong Excel skills and comfort working with complex payroll and general ledger data.
- Clear, patient communication skills and strong attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, navigate ambiguity, and build processes from scratch.
Nice-to-haves
- Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification.
- Rippling administration and implementation experience.
Compensation and Benefits
- Base salary: $145,000–$165,000 annually.
- Eligible for an annual performance bonus and equity.
- Health, dental, and vision coverage.
- High-deductible health plans with HSA options and FSA.
- 401(k) program.
- Competitive vacation policy.
- 16 weeks of paid parental leave.
Skills
Payroll Operations, Multi-State Payroll, Multi-Entity Payroll, Rippling, Payroll Tax Compliance, HRIS, Internal Controls, Benefits Administration, 401(K), Excel, General Ledger, Payroll Implementations, Peo Transitions, Wage-And-Hour Compliance
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