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Payroll Operations Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Assistant Vice President (AVP), Payroll Operations is a senior payroll leader responsible for ... risk management. The AVP advances service excellence and payroll modernization in support of ...

$110 - $160/hr

Senior Manager, Payroll Operations Lead Payroll Operations for a Growing, Complex Organization Are you a payroll leader who enjoys building high-performing teams, improving processes, and ensuring ...

New

The Assistant Vice President (AVP), Payroll Operations is a senior payroll leader responsible for ... risk management. The AVP advances service excellence and payroll modernization in support of ...

Manage, coach, and develop the NAMER Payroll Operations team. * Ensure all monthly, quarterly, and annual filings and year-end statements are issued per local legislation. * Build and maintain a ...

Manage, coach, and develop the NAMER Payroll Operations team. * Ensure all monthly, quarterly, and annual filings and year-end statements are issued per local legislation. * Build and maintain a ...

Payroll Operations Specialist

New York, NY · On-site

$25.75 - $35/hr

... Management in a single unified platform powered by AI. Our next-gen HR and payroll platform ... The Payroll Operations Specialist will help ensure payrolls are reviewed, processed, reconciled ...

... Management in a single unified platform powered by AI. Our next-gen HR and payroll platform ... The Payroll Operations Specialist will help ensure payrolls are reviewed, processed, reconciled ...

Manage vendor relationships, service agreements, and performance expectations. * Develop business cases and recommendations for payroll technology investments and enhancements. Strategic Business ...

New

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Payroll Operations Manager information

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$42K

$89.4K

$133K

How much do payroll operations manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for payroll operations manager in the United States is $89,396.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,000.00 and $104,000.00 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 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.

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 payment while maintaining compliance with tax laws and company policies. They manage payroll systems, coordinate with HR and finance departments, and often use payroll software to handle data and reporting tasks.
More about Payroll Operations Manager jobs

What cities are hiring for Payroll Operations Manager jobs?

Cities with the most Payroll Operations Manager job openings:

What states have the most Payroll Operations Manager jobs?

States with the most job openings for Payroll Operations Manager jobs include:

Infographic showing various Payroll Operations Manager job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $89,396 per year, or $43 per hour.

Senior Manager, Payroll Operations

Wayne Farms LLC

Oakwood, GA • On-site

Full-time

PTO

Posted 15 days ago


Job description

Senior Manager, Payroll Operations
Lead Payroll Operations for a Growing, Complex Organization
Are you a payroll leader who enjoys building high-performing teams, improving processes, and ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time?
We're seeking a Senior Manager, Payroll Operations to lead payroll delivery for approximately 28,000 employees across 25+ locations. This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for overseeing payroll operations, driving compliance and internal controls, leading system and process improvements, and partnering across the business to support organizational growth.
This opportunity is ideal for someone who combines deep payroll expertise with strong people leadership skills and enjoys driving operational excellence in a fast-paced, complex environment.
What You'll Do
Lead Payroll Operations
  • Oversee end-to-end payroll processing for a large, multi-state workforce.
  • Ensure payroll is delivered accurately, timely, and in compliance with all regulatory requirements.
  • Manage all payroll types, including regular, bonus, commission, off-cycle, termination, and special payrolls.
  • Oversee payroll reconciliations, tax filings, deductions, garnishments, PTO processing, and year-end activities such as W-2 reporting.
  • Serve as the escalation point for complex payroll issues and drive resolution with a focus on employee experience.
Drive Compliance & Governance
  • Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations, including FLSA, IRS, Department of Labor, and SOX requirements.
  • Strengthen payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls to minimize risk and improve accuracy.
  • Partner with Internal Audit, Legal, Tax, HR, and Finance teams to support audits, regulatory changes, and compliance initiatives.
Build & Develop a High-Performing Team
  • Lead, coach, and develop a team of payroll professionals.
  • Establish clear performance expectations, accountability, and development plans.
  • Foster a culture of collaboration, customer service, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
  • Support succession planning and talent development across the payroll function.
Lead Systems & Process Improvements
  • Act as the payroll systems subject matter expert.
  • Lead payroll implementations, upgrades, integrations, testing efforts, and optimization initiatives.
  • Identify opportunities to automate, standardize, and streamline payroll processes.
  • Support payroll integration activities related to acquisitions, reorganizations, and organizational growth.
Partner Across the Business
  • Collaborate with HR, Accounting, Finance, Treasury, Benefits, Compensation, Tax, Legal, Internal Audit, and Technology teams.
  • Support payroll accounting, funding, budgeting, vendor management, and reporting activities.
  • Provide insights and recommendations that enhance operational effectiveness and support business objectives.

What You Bring
Required Qualifications
  • 8+ years of progressive payroll experience.
  • 3+ years of people leadership experience managing payroll teams.
  • Experience supporting payroll operations within a large, complex, multi-state organization.
  • Strong knowledge of payroll processing, payroll taxation, wage-and-hour laws, garnishments, audits, and year-end reporting.
  • Experience using major payroll or HCM platforms such as Workday, ADP, UKG, SAP, Oracle, or similar systems.
  • Demonstrated success leading process improvements and operational enhancements.
  • Advanced Excel and data analysis skills.
  • Ability to handle highly confidential employee and company information with discretion.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification.
  • Experience in a publicly traded or Fortune 500 environment.
  • Experience supporting SOX compliance and audit activities.
  • Experience managing payroll across multiple legal entities or complex business structures.
  • Experience leading system implementations, acquisitions, integrations, or transformation initiatives.
  • Familiarity with payroll analytics, automation tools, employee self-service technologies, and case management platforms.

Key Competencies for Success
We're looking for a leader who brings:
  • Payroll Operations Expertise
  • Operational Leadership
  • Regulatory Compliance & Internal Controls
  • Process Improvement & Change Management
  • Analytical Problem Solving
  • People Leadership & Team Development
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Executive Communication
  • Customer Focus
  • Strategic Thinking
Why This Role?
This is an opportunity to make a significant impact on a critical business function. You will lead a talented payroll team, influence enterprise-wide initiatives, partner with senior leaders, and help shape the future of payroll operations through automation, transformation, and continuous improvement.
If you're passionate about building scalable payroll processes, developing teams, and driving operational excellence, we'd love to hear from you.
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.