Payroll Manager

Payroll Manager

A client of ours is in the Plymouth Meeting, PA area is looking for a Payroll Manager for a contract role to lead the end-to-end payroll function for a large, multi-state employee population. The Payroll Manager will oversee all aspects of payroll processing, compliance, reporting, and continuous process improvement. You will be responsible for delivering accurate and timely payroll for 10,000+ employees across multiple states, ensuring strong internal controls, and serving as the subject matter expert for payroll operations within Workday.

Responsibilities of Payroll Manager

• Manage full-cycle payroll processing for a high-volume, multi-state employee population (10,000+).
• Review and validate complex earnings, deductions, garnishments, bonuses, and special pay calculations.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour laws, tax regulations, and audit requirements.
• Conduct pre- and post-payroll audits to ensure accuracy and identify discrepancies.
• Lead and mentor payroll team members, ensuring clarity of responsibilities and consistent execution.
• Implement process enhancements to streamline operations and strengthen internal controls.
• Develop and maintain payroll procedures, documentation, and SOPs.
• Serve as the in-house Workday payroll specialist—configuring workflows, running audit reports, reviewing integrations, and optimizing processes.
• Partner with HRIS to resolve system issues and enhance payroll functionality.
• Oversee data imports, mass updates, and system-driven calculations.
• Partner with HR, Finance, Accounting, and Total Rewards to ensure payroll alignment with organizational initiatives.
• Support internal and external audits, including responding to inquiries and preparing documentation.
• Provide reporting and analysis for leadership and cross-functional partners.

Skills/Qualifications of Payroll Manager

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field required.
• CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) or FPC certification preferred but not required.
• 7+ years of progressive payroll experience, including 3+ years in a leadership/manager-level role.
• Proven experience managing payroll for 10,000 or more employees.
• Workday Payroll is required (no exceptions).
• Strong understanding of multi-state payroll regulations, taxation, and wage & hour laws.
• Experience with reconciliations (GL, tax, benefits) and audit preparation.
• High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and problem-solving ability.
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities.
• Experience guiding teams through scaling, process redesign, or payroll system transitions is preferred.

If you are interested in this or similar Payroll Manager roles, please contact Bernadette Komatick at 484.254.9060 for additional information and reference JO# 03710-0013405324