Payroll Manager

The Payroll Manager is a critical leadership role within the JD North America People Regional Business Services model. The Regional Business Services function holds the responsibility for support to all US businesses within the JD Group, including JD Sports, Finish Line, Finish Line Macy’s, Shoe Palace, Nice Kicks, Downtown Locker Room (DTLR), and Hibbett. Overseeing the execution of all payroll activities, this role ensures accurate, timely payroll processing while maintaining strict compliance with federal, state, and local regulations across multiple jurisdictions. In addition to the accountability for day to day payroll operations, the Payroll Manager will standardize processes, improve efficiency, curate and deliver upon service KPIs and SLAs, support a scalable payroll function, drive productivity, and ultimately ensure an optimal employee experience. Specifically, this role holds the following main responsibilities: 

• Manages end-to-end payroll processing for four distinct U.S. business entities, ensuring accuracy and timeliness

• Oversees payroll cycles (weekly and bi-weekly) as well as one-time payments across multiple employee populations and pay structures

• Identifies opportunities for automation and process improvement to support growth and scalability, while still keeping service to the business, accuracy, and employee experience as the top priority

• Establish and maintain standardized payroll processes, controls, and documentation across all businesses

• Works to harmonize processes and procedures over time across all business to drive efficiency, but still respecting the unique and individual business needs that each fascia may have to deliver service

• Understands productivity and accuracy drivers, continuously evolving the payroll operating model, by defining key performance indicators and service level expectations

• Partners closely with key stakeholders within the business like Benefits, Compensation & Tax, to deliver payroll activities that funnel from those teams.

• Ensures compliance with all federal, multi-state, and local payroll tax regulations. This includes close partnerships with the internal Tax and Legal teams. 

• Coordinates and ensures proper processing of all ongoing and ad hoc payroll inputs, including bonuses, miscellaneous hours, expenses, deductions, LOA/disability payments, contests/service awards, and deductions across entities.

• Reconciles payroll data, investigates discrepancies, and resolves issues proactively.

• Manages payroll tax filings, garnishments, deposits, and reporting requirements for all entities

• Leads year-end processes including W-2s, 1099s, and other regulatory filings

• Leads team members serving as the primary point of contact for payroll-related inquiries across all entities. Supports audits (internal and external) and ensure proper documentation and compliance

• Manages payroll-related vendor relationships, ensuring accountability and delivery from all third parties. 

• Works closely with Compensation & HR Technology teams to audit mass uploads (EIBs) on payroll related activities, as well as key partners to scale productivity and efficiency.

• Provides top-tier leadership to subordinate teams, with leadership duties inclusive of mentorship, support, training and development, succession planning, team design, hiring, and performance management.

• Executes other duties, projects and requests from the leadership team as assigned. 

Required Education and/or Experience

Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from a four-year college or university and at least 6 - 8 years of payroll experience, with at least 2 - 4 years in leadership; or equivalent combination of education and experience.  At least 2-4 years additional experience in a multi-state payroll setting required. Workday experience is strongly preferred. Experience supporting a high volume of hourly and salaried populations is required (at least 10,000 + employees). Additional training or certifications such as the Certified Payroll Professional certification are preferred. Internal experience from any JD US business is always a plus. 

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily and carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Sit for more than 6 hours per shift

• Use hands to touch, handle, feel and type

• Reach with hands and arms

• Talk and/or hear

• Walk or move from one location to another

• Periodically may need to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch

• Lift and/or move from 10 pounds occasionally 

• Punctuality and regular attendance consistent with the company’s policies are required for the position.

• The average work week is 40-50 hours, which can vary depending on business need.

• The work environment for this position is a moderately noisy office setting.

• Travel may be required occasionally, likely no more than 10% of time. 

The company reserves the right to modify this job description with or without notice. Employees may be asked to perform additional duties outside of normal job scope on a temporary basis per company policy.

This job description is not intended to cover all aspects, duties, and/or responsibilities required of employees.  Employees may be asked to perform additional duties outside of normal job scope on a temporary or permanent basis per company policy. ​The company reserves the right to modify this job description with or without notice. 

EEO Statement:

The Finish Line, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and is committed to complying with all federal, state, and local EEO laws.  The Finish Line, Inc. prohibits discrimination against employees and applicants for employment based on race or color, religion or creed, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, marital status, sex, pregnancy status, age, military status, disability, or any other characteristic or class protected by law.  The Finish Line, Inc. provides reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable laws, including for disabilities, pregnancy, and religious practices.

Need accessibility assistance to apply?
Applicants who require accessibility assistance to submit an employment application can either call Finish Line at  (317) 613-6890 or email us at talentacquisition@finishline.com.  A member of our Talent Acquisition team will respond as soon as reasonably possible. (This email address and phone number is only for individuals seeking accommodation when applying for a job.)