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Payroll Manager

The Payroll Manager is responsible for leading and optimizing all payroll operations across a multi-state organization. This role oversees accurate and compliant payroll processing, including certified payroll for prevailing wage projects, while serving as the internal subject matter expert for the Dayforce HCM platform. The Payroll Manager partners closely with Finance, Human Resources, Legal, and Operations to ensure payroll accuracy, regulatory compliance, process efficiency, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end payroll processing for a multi-state workforce, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations.
• Manage weekly payroll cycles, off-cycle payrolls, year-end processing, and W-2 preparation and distribution.
• Maintain payroll policies, procedures, internal controls, and compliance documentation.
• Ensure compliance with multi-state payroll tax requirements, including registration, withholding, remittance, and reporting obligations.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes impacting payroll and proactively implement necessary updates.
• Manage certified payroll reporting for prevailing wage and government-funded projects, ensuring compliance with Davis-Bacon Act requirements and applicable state prevailing wage laws.
• Prepare and submit certified payroll reports accurately and maintain supporting documentation for audits and compliance reviews.
• Serve as the primary administrator and subject matter expert for the Dayforce HCM platform, including system configuration, payroll rules, tax setup, earnings and deduction codes, workflow management, reporting, and process optimization.
• Partner with HR and IT on system enhancements, integrations, upgrades, and user training.
• Collaborate with Finance on payroll accounting, general ledger reconciliations, labor reporting, and financial audits.
• Support employee lifecycle processes, including onboarding, benefits administration, leave management, and terminations, in partnership with Human Resources.
• Lead, mentor, and develop payroll team members while fostering a culture of accountability, accuracy, and continuous improvement.
• Support internal and external audits by providing timely documentation and responding to payroll-related inquiries.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of progressive payroll experience, including at least 3 years in a leadership or management role.
• Experience managing multi-state payroll operations for organizations with 500+ employees.
• Hands-on experience with certified payroll and prevailing wage compliance, including Davis-Bacon and/or state prevailing wage requirements.
• Advanced knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations.
• Strong experience administering and configuring Dayforce (Ceridian) HCM.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation or equivalent certification preferred.
• Experience within construction, government contracting, manufacturing, field services, or other prevailing wage environments is preferred.
• Experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, workforce integrations, or multi-state expansion initiatives is a plus.

Core Competencies

• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet critical deadlines.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills across all levels of the organization.
• High degree of integrity, discretion, and professionalism when handling confidential information.
• Proactive, process-oriented mindset with a focus on compliance, efficiency, and continuous improvement.