The Payroll Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing the daily functions of the payroll department, ensuring efficient payroll processing, regulatory compliance, and exceptional client service. This role involves planning, directing, coordinating, and monitoring payroll operations while managing team performance and client relationships.
Key Responsibilities
Payroll Operations & Client Management
- Lead and supervise day-to-day payroll processing operations and staff activities.
- Maintain ongoing communication with payroll clients and oversee new client onboarding.
- Provide clients with continuous education, training, and support related to payroll services.
- Develop, maintain, and improve payroll procedures, processing checklists, and client documentation.
- Monitor payroll software updates and implement system enhancements as needed.
- Troubleshoot payroll system and client issues, researching and resolving concerns through effective communication.
- Serve as a payroll subject matter resource for both payroll and non-payroll clients within the firm.
- Foster strong collaboration among payroll team members and firmwide relationship managers.
- Review payroll processing activities, including quarter-end and year-end compliance filings.
- Manage staff scheduling, performance, and retention efforts.
Regulatory Compliance
- Stay current with federal, state, and local payroll regulations and ensure compliance implementation.
- Test software updates to confirm adherence to payroll tax and reporting requirements.
- Oversee Affordable Care Act (ACA) reporting and compliance processes.
Administrative & Financial Oversight
- Manage client contracts, billing practices, and pricing model reviews.
- Oversee relationships with payroll vendors, including contract and invoice management.
- Prepare payroll-related financial reporting and identify process improvements to increase operational efficiency.
- Support the ongoing growth of the payroll practice through client expansion and revenue development.
- Coordinate client communications, updates, and alerts.
- Maintain payroll software systems and assist with special projects and additional assignments as needed.
Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Minimum of five years of payroll experience required.
- Three to five years of leadership experience managing staff and payroll processes required.
- FPC and/or CPP certification preferred.
- Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook, including data management skills.
- In-depth knowledge of multi-state payroll tax compliance, ACA regulations, and reporting requirements.
- Excellent organizational, communication, customer service, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Highly detail-oriented, dependable, and capable of managing multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
- Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a team environment.
- Strong commitment to professionalism, confidentiality, and client service excellence.
Work Environment
- Position operates in a professional office setting with minimal noise levels.
- Requires onsite work at both company and client locations.
- Flexibility to work extended hours during peak periods, particularly around quarter-end and year-end deadlines, is required.
Perks
- Diverse and challenging work opportunities in a continuous learning environment
- Career and life integration
- Flexible work arrangements with advancement potential
- Opportunities to make a meaningful impact on clients and company culture
- Personalized career development paths
All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, age, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws or regulations.
GPAC (Growing People and Companies) is an award-winning search firm specializing in placing quality professionals within multiple industries across the United States since 1990. We are extremely competitive, client-focused and realize that our value is in our ability to deliver the right solutions at the right time.
