Payroll Manager

We are looking for an experienced Payroll Manager to lead payroll operations for a large, multi-state workforce in Seattle, Washington. This position plays a central role in delivering accurate and compliant payroll while partnering with accounting, human resources, finance, and operations leaders. The ideal candidate brings strong leadership, deep technical payroll knowledge, and a commitment to improving processes that support both employees and the business.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the full payroll cycle for a multi-state employee population, ensuring each pay period is processed accurately, on schedule, and in compliance with applicable laws.

• Guide and develop payroll team members through coaching, training, workload oversight, and performance management.

• Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to align payroll activities with accounting, benefits, finance, and operational requirements.

• Review employee payroll records and pay-impacting changes such as new hires, status updates, separations, and final payments to maintain data accuracy.

• Manage payroll-related reconciliations, journal entries, tax submissions, year-end forms, garnishments, retirement deductions, and benefit withholdings.

• Resolve payroll questions and discrepancies by providing timely support to employees and addressing complex issues with professionalism and discretion.

• Maintain payroll controls, documentation, system settings, user access, and security practices to protect confidential information and support compliance.

• Produce payroll reporting, audit schedules, and performance metrics to monitor accuracy, identify trends, and strengthen internal processes.

• Drive continuous improvement by refining workflows, enhancing system usage, and recommending more efficient payroll practices.

Benefits

• Retirement: Profit Sharing- eligibility starts at year 1. Vesting begins at year 2 at 20%, increasing 20% annually to 100% at year 6. Contribution depends on company profit and annual comp; a conservative figure is about 15% of annual comp per year. It functions as a retirement plan the employee doesn’t pay into.
• PTO: 2 weeks (negotiable up to 3)
• Holidays: 7 days (put also get Seattle Sick Leave)
• Health Coverage: Medical through United Healthcare (3 plans, standard employer/employee cost split), plus dental, vision,

• At least 5 years of payroll experience, including hands-on responsibility for full-cycle payroll in a multi-state environment.
• Prior leadership experience managing or supervising payroll staff in a mid-sized or large organization.
• Strong working knowledge of payroll administration, tax regulations, reconciliations, reporting, and related accounting practices.
• Experience using ADP Workforce Now and timekeeping systems to support accurate payroll processing.
• Background handling payroll for high employee volumes, including organizations with more than 500 employees.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to work effectively with payroll data, reports, and documentation.
• Excellent communication, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with a high level of accuracy and follow-through.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred; payroll certification is a plus.