Manager Payroll

Overview

Company : Highmark Health

Job Description : The Manager, Enterprise Payroll provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the enterprise payroll function, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing for all employees. This role leads a team responsible for the full lifecycle of payroll processing, from timekeeping to compliance, while driving continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and accuracy. The Manager collaborates with HR, Legal, Finance, and IT to ensure seamless integration and alignment with organizational goals.

Responsibilities

Perform management responsibilities, including hiring and termination decisions, coaching and development, rewards and recognition, performance management, and staff productivity. Plan, organize, staff, direct and control day-to-day operations of the department; develop and implement policies and programs; may have budgetary responsibility and authority.

Operational Oversight : Oversee daily payroll team operations, ensure adherence to procedures, regulatory compliance, and consistent delivery of high-quality payroll services. Monitor KPIs and identify areas for improvement.

Compliance & Risk Management : Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations, including tax laws and reporting. Proactively identify and mitigate payroll-related risks; conduct and oversee regular audits and compliance checks.

Strategic Leadership & Planning : Develop and implement short-term and long-term payroll strategies aligned with organizational objectives, including resource allocation and technology roadmap development.

Process Improvement : Continuously analyze and improve payroll processes to increase efficiency, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness. Identify and implement process automation and technology advancements to streamline operations.

System Administration & Maintenance : Oversee payroll systems maintenance and support, troubleshoot issues, coordinate system upgrades, and ensure data integrity.

Vendor Management : Manage relationships with external payroll vendors and service providers; ensure service level agreements (SLAs) are met.

Communication & Collaboration : Communicate payroll information to employees, management, and stakeholders. Collaborate with other departments to ensure data flow and integration.

Special Projects : Participate in special projects such as system implementations, process redesigns, and regulatory compliance initiatives.

Other duties as assigned or requested.

Education

Minimum

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or related field

Substitutions

Preferred

Experience

Required

7 years of experience in payroll processing

3 years of experience with timekeeping systems such as Workday, Kronos / UKG

Experience with Microsoft Word and PowerPoint

Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (e.g., VLOOKUPs, pivot tables, formulas)

Preferred

Management or supervisory experience of a remote / virtual team

Processing of union pay

Salesforce experience

Healthcare payroll processing

Skills

Knowledge of Federal and State garnishment regulations, DOL regulations, FLSA, and wage and hour laws

Strong knowledge of IRS, SSA, state and local tax regulations on compensation and deductions

Knowledge of tax deposits, tax return, and W-2 filing regulations

Deep understanding of payroll regulations and compliance at all levels

Proven experience leading and managing high-performing teams

Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills

Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills

Licenses or Certifications

Required

Preferred

Language Requirement

Working Conditions

Additional details : Teaches / trains others regularly. Travel regularly from the office to various work sites. Some positions may require working outside regular office locations.

Highmark Health and its affiliates prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on protected status and prohibit discrimination based on any category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

We strive to make our site accessible. For accessibility assistance, contact HR Services at HRServices@highmarkhealth.org

Req ID : J269567

J-18808-Ljbffr