Sparks Group is seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to lead end-to-end payroll operations for a growing organization. This role oversees a Payroll Specialist and partners closely with HR, Finance, IT, and external vendors to ensure accurate, compliant, and timely payroll processing across a multi-state employee population.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee bi-weekly payroll processing, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance
- Serve as the primary escalation point for payroll inquiries, discrepancies, and agency communications
- Manage multi-state payroll compliance, including out-of-state worker state registration and related leave/tax requirements
- Support and/or lead tax reporting and filings (e.g., deposits, quarterly/year-end activities, W-2 processing, reconciliations)
- Drive process improvements, internal controls, and develop/maintain payroll policies and SOPs
- Partner with IT/vendors to resolve Workday payroll system issues, upgrades, patches, and integration/reporting exceptions
- Perform audits and reconciliations including GL posting accuracy, balance sheet items, and payroll-related journal entries
- Support benefits/payroll integrations and auditing as needed (open enrollment support, carrier/retirement files, invoice audits)
Required Qualifications
- 5+ years of progressive payroll experience (including compliance, balancing, internal controls, and payroll tax knowledge)
- Workday Payroll experience (required)
- Demonstrated experience supporting multi-state payroll and wage/hour compliance
- Strong Excel skills (VLOOKUPs, pivot tables, report manipulation)
- Proven ability to lead/coach others and work effectively with cross-functional stakeholders
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, HR, or related field
