Senior Payroll Operations Manager

Description

We are seeking a seasoned, strategic, and highly detail-oriented Senior Manager of Payroll Operations to lead and scale our complex, multi-jurisdictional payroll function. This is a mission-critical leadership role responsible for ensuring the timely, accurate, and compliant processing of payroll for a large and dynamic workforce.

The ideal candidate will have 10+ years of progressive payroll leadership experience, with a proven track record managing large, high-volume payroll operations (20,000+ employees preferred), leading teams, implementing process improvements, and navigating complex regulatory and compliance requirements. This role demands a strong command of payroll systems, exceptional leadership capabilities, and the ability to manage risk while driving operational excellence.

This position reports directly to the Director of Payroll and works closely with senior leadership across HR, Finance, Legal, and Compliance

Key Responsibilities:

Payroll Operations Oversight

• Lead end-to-end payroll operations across multiple pay groups, jurisdictions, and entities
• Ensure timely and accurate processing of regular, off-cycle, bonus, and termination payrolls
• Drive the execution of audits, reconciliations, and controls to ensure data integrity
• Oversee payroll funding, general ledger interfaces, and labor allocations
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local tax laws and labor regulations

Leadership & Strategy

• Manage, mentor, and develop a team of payroll managers, leads, and specialists
• Establish operational KPIs, dashboards, and SLAs to track and report performance
• Partner with Finance, HR, Legal, and IT to streamline processes and improve cross-functional outcomes
• Lead payroll transformation and automation initiatives, including system upgrades, integrations, and vendor evaluations

Compliance & Risk Management

• Maintain strong internal controls and ensure SOX and audit readiness
• Respond to audits, inquiries, and escalations from government agencies, internal departments, and external partners
• Oversee year-end processing, including W-2s, tax reconciliation, and distribution

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business, accounting or related field and 10+ years of progressive payroll leadership experience, with at least 5 years in a senior management role. Additional years of relevant Payroll experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Proven experience managing payroll for a large, complex, multi-state (or multi-country) organization
• Deep expertise in federal, state, and local payroll compliance and tax regulations
• Strong experience with payroll systems such as UKG (UltiPro), Workday, ADP, SAP, or Costpoint
• Experience implementing or upgrading payroll systems or integrating with HRIS/ERP platforms
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• CPP certification preferred
• Experience in union, government contractor, or hourly/salaried mixed environments
• Familiarity with garnishments, multi-state taxation, and payroll accounting

At Leidos, we don t want someone who "fits the mold" we want someone who melts it down and builds something better. This is a role for the restless, the over-caffeinated, the ones who ask, what s next? before the dust settles on what s now.

If you re already scheming step 20 while everyone else is still debating step 2 good. You ll fit right in.

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.