US Payroll Manager - Client Services Consultant

Harbor is looking for an experienced and adaptable US Payroll Manager who can quickly step into a complex client environment, establish strong working relationships, and take ownership of payroll delivery. The successful candidate will initially provide operational continuity for a key client, ensuring its US payroll remains accurate, controlled, and delivered on time. Following this assignment, the role may transition into another client engagement, supporting either business-as-usual payroll delivery or a payroll improvement, implementation, or transformation project.
This role is particularly suited to someone who thrives in changing environments, learns new organisations and processes quickly, and is comfortable moving between operational delivery, problem-solving, and project support. You will need to take ownership from the outset, identify priorities quickly, and bring structure and stability to evolving situations. You will oversee the accurate, timely, and compliant delivery of US payroll services, working closely with senior client stakeholders, payroll vendors, HR, Finance, and other partners to deliver a responsive and high-quality service. This is a remote position that can be worked from the US or UK.
Requirements:
Confidently work across payroll, HR, time, benefits, and finance systems.
Quickly learn and navigate different client systems and operating environments.
Maintain payroll data integrity and investigate discrepancies between source systems and payroll outputs.
Support system testing, data validation, process improvements, and implementation activity where required.
Use technology and automation to strengthen payroll controls, reporting, and operational efficiency.
Qualifications:
Significant experience managing end-to-end US payroll operations, ideally within a multi-client, consultancy, outsourced, or fast-changing environment.
Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll taxation and compliance requirements.
Practical experience managing multi-state payrolls and associated reporting obligations.
Strong experience using a recognised US payroll platform and working with integrated HR and payroll data.
Experience managing third-party payroll, benefits, tax, or other pay-related vendors.
Strong understanding of employee benefits, retirement plans, deductions, and payroll-related taxation.
Experience processing and reviewing variable compensation, including bonuses and commissions.
Working knowledge of payroll accounting, reconciliations, general ledger requirements, and financial controls.
Experience supporting payroll implementations, migrations, stabilisation, or process improvement would be advantageous.
Experience of ADP Workforce Now and Workday preferred.
About Us:
Harbor is the preeminent provider of expert services across strategy, legal technology, operations, and intelligence. Our globally integrated team of 900+ strategists, technologists, and specialists navigate alongside our clients – leading law firms, corporations, and their law departments – to provide essential resources and invaluable insights. Anchored in a rich heritage of deep knowledge, steadfast relationships, and mutual respect, our unwavering dedication lies in shaping the future of the legal industry and fostering enduring partnerships within our community and ecosystem.
Harbor is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, civil union status, national origin, ancestry, age, parental status, disabled status, veteran status, or any other legally protected classification, in accordance with applicable law.

Work arrangement
Yes