Senior Manager - Payroll Operations

Why join us? 

Our purpose is to design for the good of humankind. It’s the ideal we strive toward each day in everything we do. Being a part of MillerKnoll means being a part of something larger than your work team, or even your brand. We are redefining modern for the 21st century. And our success allows MillerKnoll to support causes that align with our values, so we can build a more sustainable, equitable, and beautiful future for everyone.

GENERAL PURPOSE

The Senior Manager, Payroll Operations, is a key member of the Global HR Operations and Technology team responsible for leading the MillerKnoll payroll team, including internal team and outsourced payroll service providers, and manage all aspects of the U.S. and Canadian payroll operations.  The Senior Manager, Payroll Operations, will be responsible for accurate and timely multi-state payroll processing for 7,793 associates, proactively managing the outsourced payroll provider service delivery model, and ensure a best-in-class associate experience.  As the subject matter expert, this individual will have an in-depth understanding of payroll and timekeeping best practices, payroll accounting, general ledger setup, multi-state and federal, state, and local jurisdictional tax filing expertise, and ensure proper controls are in place for regulatory compliance and audit reporting. The Senior Manager, Payroll Operations will report to the Vice President of Global HR Operations and Technology and work closely with outsourced payroll service providers, HRIS, Finance, Accounting, Treasury, HRSS, HR Centers of Excellence, and HR Business Partners. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Manage U.S. and Canadian payroll operations, including six internal team members and outsourced payroll service providers. 

• Oversee payroll cyclical activities for the payroll team to ensure compliance with all daily, pay frequency, month-end, quarter-end and year-end requirements.

• Process and audit five pay-frequencies for U.S. and Canadian legal entities for 7,700+ associates, ensuring timeliness and accuracy.

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, local and provincial taxes and entities while working directly with the payroll service provider or tax agency to resolve tax-related issues.

• Monitor federal, state, and local taxes, garnishments, and all other deductions to ensure accuracy of pay checks.

• Demonstrated commitment to continuous process improvement; looking for ways to gain efficiencies for the payroll team and simplifying the associate experience.

• Create, maintain, and update payroll processing documentation to ensure payroll team is processing payrolls standardly, consistently, and compliantly as per SOX requirements.

• Manage team performance and support the training, coaching, and development of the payroll team.

• Be the payroll subject matter expert to payroll team, HR Centers of Excellence, internal customers, auditors, and primary point of contact for outsourced payroll providers.

• Passionate about customer service and be responsive to all payroll inquiries and escalated requests for resolution.

• Coordinates and oversees payroll tax filing, payroll journal entries, general ledger reconciliation, payroll funding, payroll earnings, deductions configuration, and payroll reporting.

• Demonstrated ability to lead ad hoc payroll projects including establishing project plan, assigning resources, and managing to successful completion.

• Exceptional partnering, problem-resolution, and customer-service skills.

• Stays current with tax and payroll regulatory changes.

• Proactively manage client expectations for payroll processing and execute a payroll service delivery approach that avoids conflicts and mitigates risk to service delivery and client expectations.

• Act as payroll system liaison with HRIS for troubleshooting and reporting enhancements, as needed.

• Performs additional responsibilities as requested to achieve business objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must be able to perform all essential functions of the position with or without accommodations.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or applicable academic discipline or equivalent professional experience.

• 5+ years’ experience with Workday payroll processing required (multi-state and multi pay frequency).

• 5+ years’ experience tax fil