Payroll Project Manager Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

JOIN REDMOND. The City of Redmond is a thriving, culturally diverse community and home to over 80,000 residents. Redmond is the hub of an array of commerce and industry, ranging from technology, aerospace, and gaming to biomedical and innovation start-ups.

In this role, you will represent the City and our values of service, integrity, accountability, belonging, and stewardship. The Finance Department is responding to the growing needs of the city. The fast-paced nature of our municipality drives innovation and efficiency.

The successful candidate will possess strong values that align with the City's values, which include being welcoming, having integrity, showing accountability, and demonstrating a commitment to service. Reporting to the Financial Services Manager, the Payroll Supervisor will prepare the Payroll Team and processes to convert the legacy timekeeping and Payroll/HR record keeping. The ideal candidate should find satisfaction in providing exceptional customer service, and thrive in a collaborative, high-volume work environment.

ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES Supervise, assign, prioritize, and evaluate the work of payroll staff; recruit, train, mentor, and support employee development while fostering a collaborative, customer-focused, and continuous improvement culture. Plan, organize, supervise, and participate in the city's biweekly payroll processing, ensuring payroll is completed accurately, timely, securely, and in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, collective bargaining agreements, city policies, and internal controls. Review and approve payroll transactions, monitor processing schedules, reconcile payroll data, investigate discrepancies, and coordinate payroll activities with Human Resources, Benefits, departments, and external agencies.

Develop, implement, and maintain payroll controls, policies, procedures, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); monitor legislative and regulatory changes and implement approved updates to ensure ongoing compliance and operational effectiveness. Perform payroll reconciliations, journal entries, financial reporting, tax and retirement reporting, year-end processing, and audit support to ensure accurate payroll accounting and compliance with financial reporting requirements. Evaluate payroll operations and recommend process improvements that enhance efficiency, accuracy, customer service, and internal controls.

Serve as the functional lead for payroll systems by coordinating software implementations, system upgrades, testing, configuration, maintenance, troubleshooting, and ongoing optimization in collaboration with Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, and software vendors. Serve as the city's payroll subject matter expert by interpreting payroll laws, policies, and collective bargaining agreements; provide training, guidance, and customer support to employees, departments, and leadership. Participate in departmental planning, budgeting, performance measurement, special projects, and organizational initiatives; recommend operational improvements and perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Knowledge of and Skills in: Principles and practices of payroll administration, payroll accounting, financial reporting, internal controls, and auditing. Federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations, including IRS requirements, Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Washington State payroll laws, Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) reporting, wage and hour requirements, payroll tax reporting, and applicable collective bargaining agreements. Principles of governmental accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, and municipal operations.

Supervisory principles and practices, including employee development, performance management, coaching, and team leadership. Process improvement methodologies, change management, and implementation of payroll policies, procedures, and technology solutions. Ability to: Plan, organize, supervise, and coordinate payroll operations while ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and City policies.

Analyze payroll, financial, and operational data; identify discrepancies; recommend solutions; and implement process improvements. Prepare and review payroll-related reports, reconciliations, financial documentation, and audit support materials. Interpret and apply payroll laws, regulations, collective bargaining agreements, City policies, and internal controls.

Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, including presenting complex payroll and financial information to diverse audiences. Exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, prioritize competing demands, and respond effectively in a fast-paced environment. Lead payroll system implementations, upgrades, testing, and business process improvements while collaborating with Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, software vendors, and other stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS Education and Experience: Three years professional financial services experience involving automated systems Supervisory or lead experience preferred; or demonstrated leadership experience or team lead experience High school diploma or equivalent; Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or closely related field preferred Any equivalent combination of education, experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities Municipal or public sector experience preferred Other This class description describes the general nature of the work performed, representative duties as well as the typical qualifications needed for acceptable performance. It is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of the job. Please review the Finance Supervisor job description for more information about the knowledge, skills, abilities, working conditions, and physical requirements.

BENEFITS Our employees earn competitive wages and enjoy an exceptional benefits package that includes: MEDICAL INSURANCE - Choice of two plans for employees and their eligible dependents: Premera or Kaiser Permanente. All employee healthcare premiums paid for by the City of Redmond. PRESCRIPTION DRUG INSURANCE - Included with each medical plan DENTAL INSURANCE - For employees and their eligible dependents VISION INSURANCE - For employees and their eligible dependents OTHER INSURANCE - Life, accidental death & dismemberment insurance, short and long-term disability, optional employee-paid voluntary life insurance FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS - For tax savings on healthcare and dependent care expenses PAID VACATION & HOLIDAYS - with (13) paid holidays per year EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP) RETIREMENT PLANS - Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) plus additional options that include: Municipal Employees Benefit Trust (Social Security replacement plan) and MetLife 457 Plan Annual COLA adjustments Annual merit increases of up to 5% To learn about benefits at the City of Redmond, please visit C2MB (ajg.com)