Manager Payroll

Company :

Highmark Health

Job Description : 

JOB SUMMARY

The Manager, Enterprise Payroll, provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the enterprise payroll function, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing for all employees. This role leads a team responsible for the full lifecycle of payroll processing, from timekeeping to compliance, while also driving continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and accuracy. The Manager collaborates closely with various departments, including HR, Legal, Finance, and IT, to ensure seamless integration and alignment with organizational goals.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform management responsibilities to include, but are not limited to: involved in hiring and termination decisions, coaching and development, rewards and recognition, performance management and staff productivity.  Plan, organize, staff, direct and control the day-to-day operations of the department; develop and implement policies and programs as necessary; may have budgetary responsibility and authority.

• Operational Oversight: Oversee the daily operations of the payroll team, ensuring adherence to established procedures, regulatory compliance, and consistent delivery of high-quality payroll services. This includes monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) and identifying areas for improvement.

• Compliance & Risk Management: Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local payroll regulations, including tax laws and reporting requirements. Proactively identify and mitigate payroll-related risks. This includes conducting and overseeing regular audits and compliance checks.

• Strategic Leadership & Planning: Develop and implement short-term and long-term strategies for payroll operations, aligning with the organization's overall strategic objectives including resource allocation and technology roadmap development.

• Process Improvement: Continuously analyze and improve payroll processes to increase efficiency, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness. Identify and implement process automation and technological advancements to streamline operations.

• System Administration & Maintenance: Oversee the maintenance and support of payroll systems, including troubleshooting issues, coordinating system upgrades, and ensuring data integrity.

• Vendor Management: Manage relationships with external payroll vendors and service providers, ensuring service level agreements (SLAs) are met.

• Communication & Collaboration: Effectively communicate payroll information to employees, management, and other stakeholders. Collaborate effectively with other departments to ensure seamless integration and data flow.

• Special Projects: Participate in special projects as assigned, such as system implementations, process redesigns, and regulatory compliance initiatives.

• Other duties as assigned or requested. ​

EDUCATION

Minimum

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or a related field

Substitutions

• 6 years of experience in lieu of bachelor's degree

Preferred

• Master's Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or a related field

EXPERIENCE

Required

• 7 years of experience in payroll processing

• 3 years of experience with timekeeping systems such as Workday, Kronos/UKG

• Experience with Microsoft Word and PowerPoint

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (e.g. vlookups, pivot tables, formulas)

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Preferred

• Management or Supervisory experience of a remote/virtual team

• Processing of union pay

• Salesforce experience

• Healthcare payroll processing

SKILLS

• Knowledge of Federal and State garnishment-related laws and regulation, Department of Labor regulations, FLSA, and Federal and State Wage and Hour Laws

• Strong knowledge of various IRS, Social Security Administration, State, and Local tax regulations on compensation and deductions

• Knowledge of tax depositing, tax return, and W-2 filing regulations and requirements

• Deep understanding of payroll regulations and compliance requirements at the federal, state, and local levels.

• Proven experience leading and managing high-performing teams.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.

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LICENSES OR CERTIFICATIO