Payroll Manager

Because all Archdiocesan employees represent the Roman Catholic Church, they are expected to conduct themselves according to the goals and mission of the Church in performing their work.

Position Summary

The Payroll Manager is responsible for leading accurate, timely, and compliant payroll operations across multiple entities, pay groups, and payroll schedules. This role oversees payroll processing, tax compliance, reconciliations, system administration, internal controls, audits, and payroll staff while partnering closely with Human Resources, Finance, and external vendors. The ideal candidate brings strong payroll leadership experience, expertise in payroll regulations, and a commitment to process improvement and exceptional service.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Operations

• Manage end-to-end payroll processing for multiple entities, locations, and pay groups across weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, monthly, and off-cycle payrolls.
• Develop and maintain payroll calendars, ensuring adherence to processing deadlines, funding requirements, approvals, and pay dates.
• Review and approve payroll transactions including earnings, deductions, taxes, garnishments, benefit deductions, direct deposits, adjustments, and retroactive payments.
• Perform payroll balancing, reconciliations, variance analysis, and payroll audits to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Coordinate payroll funding, direct deposits, tax payments, and payroll-related financial transactions.
• Ensure accurate payroll data integration with accounting, benefits, retirement, and third-party systems.

Compliance, Tax, and Audit

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll, tax, wage-and-hour, and recordkeeping regulations.
• Oversee payroll tax filings, deposits, corrections, unemployment reporting, and year-end activities, including W-2 processing.
• Administer garnishments, child support orders, tax levies, and other legally required deductions.
• Lead internal and external payroll audits and support regulatory reporting requirements.
• Investigate payroll discrepancies, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions.

Payroll Systems and Process Improvement

• Maintain payroll system controls, security access, approval workflows, and segregation of duties.
• Manage payroll vendor relationships, system upgrades, testing, integrations, and implementation projects.
• Develop and maintain payroll policies, procedures, and process documentation.
• Analyze payroll metrics and operational performance to identify efficiencies, reduce risk, and improve service levels.
• Lead automation, standardization, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Leadership and Partnership

• Recruit, train, coach, and supervise payroll team members while fostering a culture of accountability, accuracy, and service excellence.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex payroll inquiries and issue resolution.
• Partner with Human Resources, Finance, Information Technology, and organizational leaders to support payroll-related processes and initiatives.
• Prepare payroll reports, compliance updates, and operational recommendations for leadership.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience supporting complex, high-volume, multi-entity payroll environments.
• 2+ years of payroll leadership or supervisory experience.
• Strong knowledge of payroll tax regulations, wage-and-hour laws, garnishments, reconciliations, payroll accounting, and compliance requirements.
• Experience with enterprise payroll or Human Capital Management (HCM) systems.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups, and data analysis.
• Experience supporting payroll audits and year-end payroll processing.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC).
• Experience with ADP or similar enterprise payroll platforms.
• Experience in nonprofit, education, religious, or multi-location organizations.
• Experience with payroll system implementations, integrations, or process improvement initiatives.
• Knowledge of multi-state payroll administration.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong payroll operations, compliance, and payroll tax expertise.
• Excellent analytical, reconciliation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• High level of integrity, discretion, and attention to detail.
• Ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and external partners.

Why Join Us?

Join a mission-driven organization serving one of the nation's largest dioceses. This role offers an opportunity to lead complex payroll operations, improve processes, develop a talented team, and make a meaningful impact while supporting employees across a diverse and dynamic organization.

Working Conditions

Work is primarily performed in an office or approved remote environment using standard computer and communication equipment. The position requires sustained attention to detailed information and extended periods of computer work. Additional hours may be required during payroll processing windows, quarter-end, year-end, audits, system implementations, emergencies, or other critical deadlines.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The organization is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants without unlawful discrimination. Reasonable accommodations will be considered for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.