Payroll Manager

Position Summary
The Payroll Manager provides leadership and oversight for all payroll operations across Wings Credit Union, ensuring accurate, compliant, and efficient payroll delivery for a multi-state workforce. This role leads and develops the Payroll team while overseeing payroll compliance, reporting, accounting activities, audits, and payroll-related processes.
As a key member of the HR leadership team, the Payroll Manager partners closely with HR, HRIS, Benefits, Accounting, and business leaders across the organization. This leader plays a critical role in driving operational excellence, supporting organizational growth, identifying process improvements, and helping shape the future of payroll operations while maintaining a strong focus on employee experience, compliance, and service delivery.
Essential Functions
Payroll Leadership & Team Development
Lead, coach, develop, and mentor Payroll team members while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, accuracy, confidentiality, and exceptional service.
Recruit, hire, onboard, and retain talent while establishing performance expectations, providing coaching and development, and supporting employee growth.
Provide leadership through organizational changes, process improvements, system enhancements, and business initiatives.
Serve as the primary escalation point for payroll-related issues, employee concerns, and complex payroll matters.
Promote a team environment that encourages continuous improvement, problem solving, accountability, and effective partnership across the organization.
Payroll Operations & Compliance
Oversee end-to-end payroll operations for a multi-state workforce while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations.
Ensure accurate administration of payroll taxes, wage and hour requirements, garnishments, deductions, leave-related pay practices, and payroll recordkeeping.
Monitor payroll processing workflows, controls, audits, deadlines, and service levels to ensure operational excellence.
Partner with HRIS and other stakeholders to maintain payroll system integrity, reporting accuracy, and process effectiveness.
Regulatory Compliance & Audit
Ensure timely and accurate payroll tax filings, year-end reporting activities, W-2s, 1099s, and related compliance requirements.
Monitor emerging payroll legislation and regulatory changes across all states in which Wings operates.
Serve as the subject matter expert for payroll compliance, wage and hour regulations, and payroll best practices.
Lead payroll-related audit activities and maintain strong internal controls to minimize organizational risk.
Process Improvement & Business Partnership
Identify and implement opportunities to improve payroll processes, reporting, efficiency, controls, and employee experience.
Partner with HR, HRIS, Benefits, Accounting, and business leaders on payroll-related initiatives and organizational change efforts.
Bring forward recommendations and best practices that support future-state payroll operations and business objectives.
Drive continuous improvement efforts that enhance service delivery, scalability, compliance, and operational effectiveness.
Bank Secrecy Act
Remain knowledgeable of and adhere to Wings policies, procedures, and regulations related to the Bank Secrecy Act.
Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or similar relevant field, preferred.
5+ years' relevant progressive payroll processing experience including multi-state payroll operations, required.
1+ years' supervisory or management experience, required.
2+ years' experience with benefits coordination of PTO and FMLA/STD/LTD for employees out on leave, preferred.
Technical or Specialized Knowledge/Skills:
Strong knowledge of payroll processing, taxation, wage and hour laws, leave administration, and payroll compliance.
Experience auditing, reconciling, and resolving complex payroll and employee pay issues.
Ability to analyze payroll data, identify discrepancies, and implement effective solutions.
Knowledge of accounting principles and payroll system administration, including basic troubleshooting.
Experience with payroll processing and reporting systems.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, and complex formulas.
Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications.
Ability to maintain accurate payroll records, reports, and documentation.
Strong analytical, organizational, and attention-to-detail skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across all levels of the organization.
Effective time management and prioritization skills to meet payroll deadlines.
Ability to train, support, and develop payroll team members and adapt to changing business needs.
Certifications Required:
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC), Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS), SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP, PHR/SPHR, or similar payroll, benefits, or human resources certification, preferred.
SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification preferred.

Employment type
Full-time

Work arrangement
Hybrid