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Payroll Operations Manager Jobs in Baltimore, MD

Robert Half

Payroll Supervisor/Manager

Hanover, MD · On-site

$35 - $42/hr

S. payroll operations, work independently, and provide steady support in a fast-paced environment ... Manage payroll activities across multiple states, with particular attention to complex California ...

Solargaines

Payroll Manager

Cockeysville, MD · On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

This position will manage Payroll staff and the day-to-day payroll operations. This position requires a degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field. Duties and Responsibilities:

Solargaines

Payroll Manager

Cockeysville, MD · On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

This position will manage Payroll staff and the day-to-day payroll operations. This position requires a degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field. Duties and Responsibilities:

W. R. Grace & Co.

Sr Payroll Specialist

Columbia, MD

$81K - $111K/yr

We are seeking a Sr Payroll Specialist to join our Global HR Operations team, reporting to the Sr Manager, Global Payroll. This role is responsible for end-to-end U.S. payroll processing and support ...

W. R. Grace & Co.

Sr Payroll Specialist

Columbia, MD · On-site

$81K - $111K/yr

We are seeking a Sr Payroll Specialist to join our Global HR Operations team, reporting to the Sr Manager, Global Payroll. This role is responsible for end-to-end U.S. payroll processing and support ...

W. R. Grace & Co.

Sr Payroll Specialist

Columbia, MD

$81K - $111K/yr

We are seeking a Sr Payroll Specialist to join our Global HR Operations team, reporting to the Sr Manager, Global Payroll. This role is responsible for end-to-end U.S. payroll processing and support ...

Under Armour, Inc

Director, Global Payroll

Baltimore, MD · On-site

$155 - $200/hr

... management, and payroll experience across all regions. Your Impact * Develop and execute a global payroll strategy aligned with UA's people, financial, and operational priorities. * Lead, coach, and ...

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Payroll Operations Manager information

See Baltimore, MD salary details

$41.7K

$88.8K

$132.2K

How much do payroll operations manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for payroll operations manager in Baltimore, MD is $88,827.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $70,500.00 and $103,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a payroll operations manager?

To thrive as a Payroll Operations Manager, you need expertise in payroll processing, compliance with labor laws, and a strong background in finance or accounting, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with payroll software such as ADP, Workday, or SAP, as well as certifications like CPP (Certified Payroll Professional), is typically required. Strong leadership, problem-solving abilities, and attention to detail are crucial soft skills for managing teams and ensuring accuracy. These skills are vital to guarantee timely and compliant payroll operations, minimize errors, and lead an efficient payroll department.

What is the difference between Payroll Operations Manager vs Payroll Specialist?

AspectPayroll Operations ManagerPayroll Specialist
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field; payroll certifications preferredUsually requires a high school diploma or associate degree; payroll certifications beneficial
Work EnvironmentOversees payroll teams, manages processes, and ensures compliance across departmentsPerforms payroll processing, data entry, and verification tasks
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in medium to large organizations across various industriesFound in organizations of all sizes, often in HR or finance departments

The Payroll Operations Manager focuses on overseeing payroll processes, managing teams, and ensuring compliance, while the Payroll Specialist handles the day-to-day payroll data entry and processing tasks. Both roles require payroll knowledge, but the manager position involves leadership and strategic oversight.

What does a payroll operations manager do?

A payroll operations manager oversees the processing of employee compensation, ensuring accurate and timely payroll administration. They manage payroll systems, ensure compliance with tax laws and company policies, and coordinate with HR and finance teams to resolve payroll issues. Strong organizational skills and knowledge of payroll software are essential for this role.

What are some common challenges faced by payroll operations managers, and how can they be addressed?

Payroll Operations Managers often encounter challenges such as staying compliant with frequently changing tax laws, managing high volumes of data accurately, and ensuring timely payroll processing across multiple locations. To address these, it's important to implement robust payroll software, maintain ongoing training for staff, and establish strong internal controls. Effective communication with HR, finance, and external vendors also plays a crucial role in resolving discrepancies and maintaining smooth operations.

Is a payroll operations manager a stressful job?

A payroll operations manager role can be stressful due to the responsibility of ensuring accurate and timely employee payments, compliance with regulations, and managing payroll systems. The job often involves tight deadlines, attention to detail, and handling sensitive information, which can contribute to work-related stress.
What are popular job titles related to Payroll Operations Manager jobs in Baltimore, MD? For Payroll Operations Manager jobs in Baltimore, MD, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Payroll Operations Manager jobs in Baltimore, MD look for? The top searched job categories for Payroll Operations Manager jobs in Baltimore, MD are:
Payroll Operations Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Payroll Operations Manager job openings in Baltimore, MD as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,827 per year, or $42.7 per hour.

Director of Payroll Operations & Compliance

Keller North America, Inc.

Hanover, MD • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 13 days ago

Keller North America rating

5.6

Company rating: 5.6 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Company Logo
Overview
Keller is the world leader in geotechnical construction and deep foundations. With a North American presence of over 100 years, we operate as the market leader with over 50 offices throughout the US and Canada. By connecting global resources and local experience, Keller develops innovative, practical, and cost-effective solutions to geotechnical challenges. Our values of integrity, collaboration, and excellence enable us to lead the industry in providing the optimal solution for our clients.
Build the Payroll Engine Behind North America's Most Complex Construction Workforce
Keller North America is looking for a seasoned payroll leader who knows that payroll is more than a process. It is trust, compliance, precision, and operational discipline at scale.
As our Director of Payroll Operations & Compliance, you will lead the strategy, governance, and execution framework for payroll across our U.S. and Canadian businesses. This is a high-impact role for someone who thrives in complex, multi-state, cross-border, union and non-union environments and knows how to bring consistency, control, and clarity to decentralized operations.
You will serve as the critical link between branch payroll teams and corporate payroll operations, helping standardize processes, strengthen compliance, improve communication, and create scalable payroll practices that support Keller's continued growth.
Responsibilities
What You'll Lead
In this role, you will:
    • Provide companywide leadership for payroll operations and compliance across the United States and Canada.
    • Create standardized payroll calendars, SOPs, checklists, controls, documentation, and escalation protocols.
    • Guide complex payroll matters involving union agreements, prevailing wage, certified payroll, fringe benefits, deductions, trust fund reporting, right-to-work requirements, and job costing.
    • Serve as the go-to escalation point for payroll compliance questions, branch payroll challenges, and union interpretation issues.
    • Partner with Corporate Payroll, HR, Finance, Legal, Labor Relations, Operations, IT, and regional leaders to improve payroll accuracy, reporting, controls, and visibility.
    • Audit branch payroll practices to identify risks, close gaps, and improve consistency.
    • Support payroll readiness for new branches, new jurisdictions, M&A activity, integrations, and business transformation.
    • Lead payroll governance initiatives that reduce risk, increase efficiency, and build a stronger operating model for the future.
    • Help shape payroll technology improvements, automation, workflow optimization, dashboards, and operational KPIs.

Qualifications
What You Bring
We are looking for a payroll expert with deep operational judgment, strong compliance discipline, and the ability to influence across a complex organization. Someone who has handled complex payroll at scale and can lead the function strategically, not just manage payroll transactions.
Ideal qualifications include:
  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, HR, Business Administration, or a related field.
  • 15-20+ years of progressive payroll leadership experience.
  • Significant experience with complex multi-state payroll operations.
  • U.S. and Canadian payroll experience strongly preferred.
  • Background in construction, engineering, infrastructure, industrial, project-based, or craft labor environments.
  • Deep knowledge of union payroll, collective bargaining agreements, prevailing wage, certified payroll, fringe benefits, deductions, trust fund reporting, labor costing, and job costing.
  • Strong understanding of federal, state, provincial, and local wage and hour rules, payroll tax compliance, and labor compliance obligations.
  • Proven success standardizing payroll practices across decentralized, multi-branch, or multi-region organizations.
  • Experience influencing payroll teams and branch administrators, even without direct reporting authority.
  • Strong communication, training, change management, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills.

Even Better If You Have
  • CPP, PCP, CPM, or equivalent payroll certification.
  • Construction industry experience with large craft labor populations.
  • Experience with shared services, payroll centers of excellence, or functional payroll governance models.
  • Payroll transformation, technology implementation, automation, or process redesign experience.
  • M&A, integration, new market expansion, or business transformation experience.
  • Familiarity with Davis-Bacon requirements.
  • Experience building payroll dashboards, compliance metrics, labor reconciliation reports, and operational KPIs.

Why Keller?
At Keller, payroll supports the people who build, strengthen, and move essential infrastructure across North America. This role offers the opportunity to shape payroll governance at enterprise scale, influence field and corporate operations, and build processes that make a measurable impact across the business.
Ready to bring structure, strategy, and confidence to a complex payroll environment?
Join Keller North America as our next Director of Payroll Operations & Compliance.
#LI-KF1
#Keller1
Additional Information
Salary Range: $190,000 - $200,000 per year
Actual salary will be based on a variety of factors including relevant internal and external experience, knowledge, skills, scope of job, geographical location or other factors permitted by law
Benefits
  • 401(k) + matching
  • Health, Dental, Vision insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Paid time off (PTO)
  • Holiday Pay

Keller is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage qualified women, minorities, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and others to apply.
Equal Employment Opportunity

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