Senior Payroll Manager

Vaco
$140,000.00 - $160,000.00 / yr
401(k), retirement plan
United States, North Carolina, Raleigh
Aug 21, 2025
Senior Payroll Manager Our client is seeking an experienced Senior Payroll Manager to lead their payroll operations. In this key leadership role, you will oversee payroll systems, ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, manage and mentor payroll staff, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive process improvements and system enhancements. You will play a strategic role in supporting audits, tax reporting, and global payroll initiatives while ensuring timely and accurate payroll processing. Key Responsibilities: Supervise, coach, and develop a team of payroll professionals, promoting best practices and accountability. Lead and optimize timekeeping and payroll systems across multiple locations and jurisdictions. Oversee all payroll changes (e.g., hires, terminations, promotions, bonuses), ensuring data integrity and proper controls. Ensure full compliance with local, state, federal, and international payroll laws and internal policies. Manage internal and external payroll tax audits and act as the primary liaison with auditors and regulatory agencies. Collaborate with HR, Finance, and Accounting teams to streamline payroll workflows and support integrated business operations. Review payroll journal entries, account reconciliations, and monthly accruals. Maintain and safeguard payroll records and generate comprehensive reports for leadership and compliance purposes. Resolve complex payroll issues and respond to escalated employee inquiries with a customer-focused approach. Drive process improvement initiatives, including automation and payroll system upgrades or implementations. Contribute to additional projects as needed. Skills and Experience: Minimum 7-10 years of progressive payroll experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership role. Extensive knowledge of payroll regulations, including federal, state, and local laws. Deep understanding of multi-location payroll and taxation. Proven experience with payroll software (e.g., ADP, Workday, SAP, Oracle) and timekeeping systems. Experience with system upgrades, implementations, or migrations. Strong supervisory and coaching skills with a track record of building high-performing teams. High attention to detail with strong analytical, reconciliation, and math skills. Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) and the ability to present data to senior leadership. Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines. Demonstrated experience supporting payroll audits and SOX/internal controls. Education and Certifications: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Human Resources, or a related field. Professional payroll certification such as Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Certified Payroll Manager (CPM) is highly preferred. Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual's skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's 401(k) retirement plan. Vaco by Highspring values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. EEO Notice Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law. Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact HR@vaco.com . Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal. By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. You also agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal. Privacy Notice Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies. California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here. Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here. Residents of all other states may access our policies here. Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here. Residents of countries governed by GDPR may access our policies here. Pay Transparency Notice Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to: the individual's skill sets, experience and training; licensure and certification requirements; office location and other geographic considerations; other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.