Payroll Manager

The Payroll Manager is a senior-level leader responsible for the strategic oversight, governance, and continuous improvement of the company's multi-state payroll operations. This role goes beyond transactional payroll processing and serves as the subject matter expert on wage and hour compliance, payroll tax strategy, internal controls, audit readiness, and payroll systems optimization.

The Payroll Manager will lead a team of three and partner cross-functionally with Finance, HR, Legal, and IT to ensure payroll operations support business growth, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Oversight

• Lead and develop a high-performing payroll team; establish KPIs, service standards, and internal controls.
• Serve as the company's subject matter expert on payroll compliance, particularly California wage and hour law.
• Partner with executive leadership to align payroll strategy with company growth initiatives.
• Design scalable payroll processes to support mergers, acquisitions, and geographic expansion.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure full compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour laws, tax regulations, and reporting requirements.
• Lead internal and external payroll audits; manage audit response strategy.
• Oversee multi-state payroll tax compliance, including filings, reconciliations, and W-2 issuance.
• Monitor regulatory changes and proactively implement system/process updates.
• Ensure proper classification of employees (exempt/non-exempt) and compliance with prevailing wage requirements when applicable.

Systems & Process Optimization

• Own payroll system governance (ADP or applicable platform), including configuration, upgrades, integrations, and reporting enhancements.
• Lead payroll-related systems projects, automation initiatives, and process redesign efforts.
• Partner with IT to ensure data security, system integrity, and business continuity planning.
• Develop advanced reporting and analytics to support financial forecasting and workforce planning.

Financial & Operational Accountability

• Partner with Finance and Accounting to support payroll-related journal entries, reconciliations, accruals, and general ledger interface.
• Ensure accurate costing, labor allocation, and reporting across projects and business units.
• Maintain strong internal controls around direct deposits, tax payments, garnishments, and benefit deductions.
• Analyze payroll trends, overtime patterns, and labor cost metrics to support executive decision-making.

Employee Experience & Service Excellence

• Ensure timely and accurate payroll processing for all employees.
• Establish service-level standards for employee inquiries and issue resolution.
• Oversee Time & Attendance governance and policy adherence.

Qualifications:

Education & Certifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field required or equivalent work experience.
• CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) strongly preferred.
• Advanced training in multi-state payroll compliance preferred.

Experience

• 5-7+ years of progressive payroll experience.
• 1-3 years of leadership experience managing payroll teams.
• Extensive multi-state payroll experience, with deep expertise in California compliance.
• Experience in construction, telecommunications, infrastructure, or other project-based industries preferred.
• Experience with system implementations or payroll transitions highly desirable.

Technical Skills

• Advanced proficiency in ADP (Workforce Manager or similar enterprise platform).
• Strong knowledge of payroll tax compliance, garnishments, benefits administration, and labor law.
• Experience with ERP integrations and general ledger reconciliations.
• Advanced Excel skills and data analytics capabilities.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic thinker with strong business acumen.
• Detail-oriented with a systems and controls mindset.
• Strong executive communication and presentation skills.
• Proven ability to lead change and drive continuous improvement.
• High integrity and commitment to confidentiality.

Why Join Motive?

• Competitive compensation ($130K-$155K DOE)
• Opportunity to modernize and scale payroll infrastructure
• Growing company with national footprint
• Comprehensive benefits package with the employee health insurance paid at 100% and paid gym memberships.