Payroll Manager
SkyWater is partnering with a client of ours in the professional services space on a Payroll Manager search. This is a leadership role focused on improving payroll processes, driving best practices, and serving as the internal Workday expert. You will lead a team of 8 and work directly with the CFO. The role requires someone who can balance accuracy, efficiency, and team leadership in a fast-moving environment.
Responsibilities
Manage the US payroll function, overseeing end-to-end processing of high-volume, multi-state payroll to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance. Serve as the Workday payroll subject matter expert, supporting configurations, integrations, and reporting to optimize processes. Ensure payroll data accuracy for client billing and invoicing, partnering with Finance, Billing, and Operations to reconcile inputs that impact revenue. Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, improve processes, and implement industry best practices across payroll operations. Develop and maintain payroll policies and procedures to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including FLSA, wage and hour laws, and payroll tax requirements. Support payroll audits and internal control programs, conducting regular reviews to maintain data integrity and mitigate risk. Collaborate with HR, Legal, IT, and Finance to align payroll operations with company initiatives, system enhancements, and compliance standards. Recommend process improvements and automation opportunities to enhance accuracy, timeliness, and efficiency. Lead, develop, and mentor payroll team members, fostering accountability, service excellence, and continuous improvement. Act as a key contact for internal, external, and governmental audits related to payroll, tax filings, and billing processes.
Desired Skills and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Accounting, Finance, or a related field; CPP certification a plus.
- 5+ years of Workday Payroll experience
- Minimum 7 years of payroll experience, with at least 2 years in a people management or payroll leadership role.
- Experience in high-volume, multi-state payroll environments.
- Strong understanding of US federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations and wage & hour laws.
- Demonstrated experience in developing payroll audits, controls, and operational processes.
- Excellent analytical, organizational, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across multiple functions.
Submit Your Resume
ABOUT SKYWATER SEARCH
Start with your Short List
Led by a group of seasoned search industry professionals, SkyWater Search Partners brings new focus to a novel concept, “Short List Search.” Our purpose is to leave a lasting impression on the clients we serve by providing individuals who will make a measurable difference in their business. We strive to consistently deliver great results to our clients in a very timely manner.
Practice Areas
Our practice areas are led by highly experienced executive recruiters who take great care in fully understanding client requirements and candidate qualifications.
• Accounting and Finance
• Information Technology
• Operations
• Engineering
• Sales
• Marketing
• Human Resources
• Legal
• Construction
• Supply Chain
• Consumer Package Goods (CPG)
Founded on long-standing relationships and hundreds of successful placements throughout the Twin Cities business community, SkyWater Search Partners is a proven resource for clients and candidates looking to quickly and confidently explore their “short list” of best choices. Count on us to find the best people – and the best fit.
