Senior Manager, Payroll

Position: Senior Manager, Payroll - Hybrid

Locations: Atlanta, Boston, LA, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, NYC, Orange County, Palo Alto, San Diego, SF, and Washington DC (preference for highlighted ones)

Full Time

This role provides strategic leadership while managing payroll staff and safeguarding the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive compensation data. The Senior Manager will play a key role in supporting the firm s overall compensation practices and aligning payroll processes with organizational goals.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Operations

Direct and manage payroll processing across all U.S. offices with strict compliance to federal, state, and local regulations.

Oversee complex compensation structures, including bonuses, overtime, and special payments for attorneys and business professionals.

Ensure accurate payroll tax filings and compliance with all reporting requirements.

Leadership & Team Management

Supervise, mentor, and develop payroll staff to foster a culture of high performance and professional growth.

Recommend and implement best practices, process improvements, and technology enhancements to increase efficiency and accuracy.

Compliance & Risk Management

Ensure adherence to wage and hour laws, tax regulations, and internal policies.

Partner with auditors to ensure audit readiness and provide timely responses to inquiries.

Maintain strict data integrity, confidentiality, and security in all payroll systems.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Partner with Finance, HR, and Benefits teams to ensure alignment across payroll, compensation, and benefits programs.

Provide reporting, analytics, and insights to leadership to support financial planning and compensation strategies.

Serve as a subject matter expert on payroll implications of regulatory and policy changes.

Skills & Proficiencies

Strong knowledge of payroll regulations, wage & hour laws, and multi-state payroll practices.

Proficiency with payroll systems such as ADP, Workday, or UKG; experience with Workday Payroll Integration, Absence, and Time Tracking is a plus.

Advanced Microsoft Office and Excel skills.

Exceptional leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities.

Ability to balance strategic vision with meticulous attention to detail.

Proven success in managing, motivating, and developing high-performing teams.

Collaborative mindset with the ability to work effectively across departments.

Thrives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Strong knowledge of payroll regulations, wage & hour laws, and multi-state payroll practices.

Proficiency with payroll systems such as ADP, Workday, or UKG

Experience with Workday Payroll Integration, Absence, and Time Tracking is a plus.

Advanced Microsoft Office and Excel skills.

Exceptional leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities.

CPP designation preferred.

8 to 10+ years of progressive payroll experience, including 3 to 5 years in a management role.

Experience managing payroll in a large, multi-office organization

professional services or law firm background strongly preferred.