Senior Payroll Manager
Grassi • Long Island City, New York • Full Time • $150,000–$170,000 / year
Posted on Thu, Oct 8, 2026
About C.A.C. IndustriesC.A.C. Industries, Inc. is a leading heavy civil construction contractor specializing in complex infrastructure and public works projects throughout the New York metropolitan area. With approximately 750 employees and a highly unionized workforce, we are seeking an experienced and hands-on Senior Payroll Manager to lead all payroll operations across the organization.
Position SummaryThe Senior Payroll Manager will oversee all aspects of payroll administration for a large, labor-intensive construction workforce. This individual will be responsible for managing weekly payroll processes, ensuring compliance with union collective bargaining agreements, prevailing wage requirements, certified payroll reporting, and federal, state, and local payroll regulations.
The ideal candidate will have extensive experience managing payroll within the construction industry, particularly in union environments, and possess a strong understanding of job costing, labor distribution, fringe benefits, and complex payroll reporting. Experience with CMiC is highly preferred.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage end-to-end payroll processing for approximately 750 employees, including union and non-union personnel.
- Ensure timely and accurate weekly payroll processing in compliance with company policies and applicable regulations.
- Interpret and administer multiple union collective bargaining agreements, including wage rates, fringe benefits, dues, and deductions.
- Oversee certified payroll reporting and prevailing wage compliance for public works and government-funded projects.
- Review and validate employee timekeeping, labor allocations, job cost coding, and payroll adjustments.
- Partner with Project Managers, Operations, HR, and Accounting teams to ensure payroll accuracy and proper labor cost reporting.
- Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local payroll laws, tax regulations, and labor requirements.
- Manage payroll tax filings, W-2 processing, garnishments, deductions, and benefit reconciliations.
- Coordinate union remittances, benefit fund contributions, and reporting requirements.
- Develop, implement, and improve payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls.
- Lead payroll audits and support internal and external audit requests.
- Supervise and mentor payroll staff while fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for complex payroll issues, escalations, and compliance matters.
- Create and maintain payroll-related reports and analytics for senior leadership.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or related field preferred.
- Minimum 7-10 years of progressive payroll leadership experience.
- Significant experience within the construction industry is required.
- Extensive knowledge of union payroll administration and collective bargaining agreements.
- Experience managing payroll operations for a large employee population (500+ employees preferred).
- Strong understanding of:
- Certified payroll.
- Prevailing wage requirements.
- Davis-Bacon compliance.
- Union benefits and remittances.
- Multi-union environments.
- Payroll tax regulations.
- Job costing and labor distribution.
- Prior experience with CMiC is strongly preferred.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and payroll reporting.
- CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) certification is a plus.
- Excellent leadership, organizational, analytical, and communication skills.
Preferred Experience:
- Heavy civil construction industry experience.
- Experience supporting public infrastructure, transportation, utility, excavation, environmental remediation, or government-funded construction projects.
- Experience managing payroll in a highly labor-intensive workforce environment.
Compensation & Benefits:C.A.C. Industries offers a competitive compensation package, including salary, bonus potential, comprehensive benefits, retirement plans, paid time off, and opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
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What the data says about this job
- Advertised pay for Payroll Manager in Greater New York: a median of $120,325 across 68 priced postings. This posting advertises $150,000 to $170,000, 33% above that median. Explore the market
- 32% of Grassi's 28 tracked postings are more than six months old. Posting hygiene
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