Payroll Manager

Job Purpose

The Payroll Manager is responsible for managing and executing end-to-end payroll operations for both field and office personnel, ensuring timely, accurate, and fully compliant payroll processing in accordance with federal, state, and applicable union regulations. This role serves as a subject matter expert in payroll systems and technology, driving process improvements and system enhancements to support organizational efficiency and scalability.

Areas of focus include the following Objective Key Results:

Payroll Processing and Compliance: This area encompasses the accurate and timely execution of the full payroll cycle for all employee groups, including field and office personnel. The Payroll Manager ensures strict compliance with federal, state, local, and union payroll regulations, including proper tax withholding, garnishment processing, and benefits deductions. Responsibilities include managing timely tax filings, W-2 issuance, and other statutory payroll reporting. The role also involves auditing payroll data for accuracy, resolving discrepancies, and maintaining comprehensive payroll records in accordance with regulatory requirements and company policies.

Payroll Systems and Technology: The Payroll Manager plays a key role in optimizing and maintaining payroll systems and technology platforms to support operational efficiency and scalability. This includes collaborating with IT, HR, and other internal stakeholders to implement system upgrades, integrations, and process automations that reduce manual effort and improve data accuracy. The role involves troubleshooting system issues, maintaining configuration and master data integrity, and serving as a primary point of contact for payroll technology inquiries. 

Essential Duties

The individual in this position is expected to be able to successfully perform the following duties and responsibilities according to Shook’s Policies and Procedures and established business practices.  This individual will have the best opportunity to succeed in this position by embracing Shook’s Mission/Vision/Core Values.   

• Process payroll for all field and office employees, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and adherence to established deadlines.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, local, and union payroll regulations, including proper tax withholding, garnishments, deductions, and benefits calculations.
• Interpret and apply collective bargaining agreement (CBA) provisions related to wages, overtime, and fringe benefit contributions for all applicable union classifications.
• Manage timely remittance of union dues, pension contributions, and health and welfare payments to the appropriate funds and agencies in accordance with each CBA.
• Manage timely filing of payroll tax returns, W-2s, W-2cs, and other required statutory reports.
• Audit payroll data and resolve discrepancies by partnering with HR, Finance, and field operations as needed.
• Maintain and update payroll system configurations, including employee master data, pay codes, earnings and deduction codes, and tax setup.
• Collaborate with IT and HR to support payroll system upgrades, integrations, and technology enhancements aimed at improving efficiency and reducing manual processing.
• Support internal and external payroll audits by maintaining accurate records and providing requested documentation in a timely manner.
• Assist with the development and documentation of payroll procedures and process improvements to support scalability and compliance.

Reporting Relationships

The position reports to the Finance Manager. 

Competencies

• Thoroughness; attention to detail.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Understanding of current technology (MS Office, Excel, Word, Etc.).
• Well-organized, self-motivated, and able to proficiently perform duties with little supervisory guidance.
• Promotes a teamwork attitude throughout the accounting department and the company.

qualifications                                                                                                                                        

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance
• 5 to 10 years of experience within the accounting or finance field
• 3 to 5 years of experience in the construction industry
• Union experience strongly preferred

Language Skills:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Mathematical Skills:

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.  Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. 

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.  Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Computer Skills:

Proficiency with relevant computer applications:  Integrated accounting software, paperless workflow, Microsoft Office.

Certificates, Licenses and Registrations 

Must have a valid driver’s license.

Physical Demands:

Occasionally must stand, walk, sit, reach with your hands and arms, and climb and balance.  Must be able to talk, hear, taste, and smell and use hands to finger, handle and feel.  Seldom may have to stoop, crouch, or crawl.  May need to occasionally lift up to 10 lbs. The following are the vision requirements for the job: physical, close, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. 

Work Environment:

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.