Payroll Project Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

We offer a flexible working policy that supports a healthy balance between personal and professional well-being. This role requires in-office presence on Tuesdays & Thursdays to collaborate, connect, and learn from peers - while also maintaining the flexibility for meaningful work-life balance.
Being a Global Payroll Manager at iManage Means...
You are responsible for leading and overseeing payroll operations across the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Spain, and Singapore as well as PEO-supported payrolls run by third-party providers, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing for all employees. You serve as the primary payroll subject matter expert and partners closely with Benefits, Finance, HRIS, People Operations, and external vendors to deliver a seamless employee experience while maintaining strong controls and compliance.
You will lead payroll administration, support retirement and benefit-related payroll processes, drive continuous improvement initiatives, and provide coaching and development to payroll team members.
iM Responsible For...

• Global Payroll Operations
  • Leading end-to-end payroll processing across the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia, with additional ownership of Spain, Singapore, and PEO payrolls administered by third-party providers; responsibilities for these include processing payroll additions and updates.
  • Ensuring payrolls are processed accurately, timely, and in compliance with all applicable federal, state, provincial, and country-specific regulations.
  • Managing payroll calendars, approvals, reconciliations, audits, and year-end activities.
  • Overseeing payroll tax compliance, filings, and reporting requirements.
  • Managing annual reporting requirements including W-2s, T4s, P60s, STP reporting, and other statutory filings.
  • Leading configuration and maintenance of earning codes, deduction codes, pay codes, and pay policies that directly affect gross pay.
• Compliance, Controls & Governance
  • Maintaining strong payroll controls, documentation, and audit readiness.
  • Monitoring legislative and regulatory changes impacting payroll operations.
  • Partnering with internal and external auditors to support payroll-related audits and compliance reviews.
  • Identifying risks and implementing process improvements to strengthen controls and efficiency.
  • Managing workers' compensation reporting, including quarterly filings in Canada and annual filings in the United States.
  • Maintaining controls around sensitive payroll transactions, including bank account changes and payment validation processes such as penny testing.
• Partnership with Benefits and People Teams
  • Taking primary ownership of employee entitlements, payroll benefit deductions, and earnings code maintenance, ensuring configurations are accurate, current, and audit-ready; partner closely with Benefits on retirement plans and leave-related pay programs.
  • Supporting payroll integration and testing for benefits programs including 401(k), RRSP, pension, and superannuation plans.
  • Collaborating with HRIS and People Operations teams on payroll-related system changes, implementations, and enhancements.
  • Supporting employee escalations and complex payroll inquiries.
• Vendor & Systems Management
  • Serving as the primary relationship manager for payroll vendors and service providers.
  • Partnering with HRIS and Finance teams to ensure payroll systems are optimized and operating efficiently and effectively.
  • Driving process improvements and automation opportunities to improve accuracy and efficiency.
  • Maintaining payroll documentation, standard operating procedures, and training materials.
• Leadership & Team Development
  • Coaching and developing payroll team members to ensure operational excellence and continuous growth.
  • Fostering a collaborative, customer-focused, and solutions-oriented team environment.
  • Building organizational capability through cross-training, knowledge sharing, and succession planning.
  • Promoting strong partnerships across HR, Benefits, Finance, and HRIS teams.

iM Qualified Because I Have...

• 7+ years of progressive payroll experience, including multi-country payroll administration.
• Experience managing payroll operations across multiple countries, including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Spain, and Singapore.
• A strong understanding of payroll compliance, taxation, and statutory reporting requirements.
• A demonstrated ability to build partnerships across HR, Benefits, Finance, and other business functions.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Experience leading projects, process improvements, and operational initiatives.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills.
• Prior experience coaching, mentoring, or managing employees.

Bonus Points If I Have...

• Experience with Ceridian Dayforce payroll
• Experience supporting retirement programs including 401(k), RRSP, pension, and superannuation plans.
• Experience partnering with Benefits teams on payroll deductions, testing, and implementation activities.
• Experience supporting payroll-related audits, controls, and compliance programs.
• CPP, PCP, CPM, FPC, or related payroll certifications.

Don't meet every qualification listed above? Studies show that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet all qualifications. At iManage, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive environment, and encourage everyone to show up as their full authentic selves. We welcome those that come with a growth mindset and a hunger for learning; so, if you are excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification we encourage you to apply anyways!
iM Getting To...

• Join a rapidly evolving, industry-leading SaaS company on an exciting journey of growth and scalability!
• Take on meaningful, high-impact challenges by leveraging cutting-edge technologies and best-in-class protocols to drive innovation.
• Own my career path with our internal development framework. Ask us more about this!
• Expand my skill set and earn certifications with unlimited access to LinkedIn Learning courses and interactive Microsoft courses & training.
• Be part of a supportive and experienced team within a dynamic, inclusive, and encouraging culture.
• Enjoy flexible work hours that empower me to balance personal time with professional commitments.
• Collaborate in a modern, open-plan workspace featuring a gaming area, free snacks and drinks, and regular social events.

iManage Is Supporting Me By...

• Creating an inclusive environment where I can help shape the culture not just by fitting in, but by adding to it.
• Providing a market competitive salary that is applied through a consistent process, equitable for all our employees, and regularly reviewed based on industry data.
• Rewarding me with an annual performance-based bonus.
• Offering comprehensive Health/Vision/Dental/Life Insurance, and a 401k Retirement Savings Plan with a company match up to 4%.
• Granting enhanced leave for expecting parents; 20 weeks 100% paid for primary leave, and 10 weeks 100% paid for secondary leave.
• Providing me with a flexible time off policy to take the time off that I need. Be it for vacation, volunteering, celebrating holidays, spending time with family, or simply taking time to recharge and reset.
• Having multiple company wellness days each year to prioritize mental health and well-being.
• Providing access to RethinkCare, a global behavioral health platform that enhances personal well-being, strengthens professional resilience, and empowers parental success through expert-led training and resources.

The overall US annual base salary range for this position is $135,000 - $160,000 per year. Individual compensation for each candidate depends on factors such as qualifications, experience, and candidate location. This range does not include additional forms of compensation, such as bonuses, commission, or benefits. Your recruiter will provide further details about the offer range, incentives, and overall compensation during the hiring process.
iManage is committed to providing an excellent candidate experience and will never ask you to engage in recruitment activity via text and exclusively communicates from emails using the @imanage.com domain. If you have any concerns or questions about communications you have received, please send them to [email protected] so our team members can review.
About iManage...
At iManage, we are dedicated to Making Knowledge Work™. Our intelligent, cloud-enabled, and secure platform is trusted by 4,100+ customers and 430,000 users worldwide, managing over 11 billion documents and 11 petabytes of data. We empower professionals across 65+ countries to unlock the full potential of their business content and communications.
We are continuously innovating to solve the most complex professional challenges and enable better business outcomes; Our work is not always easy but it is ambitious and rewarding.
So we're looking for people who embracechallenges. People who thrive on solving problems, pushing boundaries, and collaborating with the industry's best and brightest. That's the iManage way. It's how we turn the impossible into reality, empower our employees to grow, unlock their potential, and create a meaningful impact on everything we do.
Whoever you are, whatever you do, however you work. Make it mean something at iManage.
iManage provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
Learn more at: www.imanage.com
Please see our recruitment privacy statement for more information on how we handle your personal data.
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