Payroll Manager

Payroll Manager APi Inc - 4.7 New Brighton, MN Job Details $75,400 - $113,000 a year 1 day ago Qualifications Optimizing workflow processes Computer operation Internal controls Spreadsheets Process design SOX Incident Escalation Continuous improvement Productivity software Escalation handling Financial compliance Full Job Description The Payroll Manager is the day-to-day operational owner of the OpCo's payroll function. This role is responsible for building and running a compliant, accurate payroll operation managing a team of specialists, serving as the primary interface between the OpCo and the Central COE, and ensuring that the function's control environment operates as designed. The Payroll Manager oversees the end-to-end payroll cycle for all employees across APi Inc. with mixed pay frequencies, performs substantive payroll review prior to Controllership/Accounting sign-off, and serves as the escalation authority for payroll corrections, compliance questions, and employee pay inquiries. This role requires someone who has not only run payroll but built payroll processes, with direct experience in union payroll environments. Responsibilities: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Payroll Operations Own the end-to-end payroll cycle for all employees across mixed pay frequencies, with the bulk processed on a weekly cycle. Perform substantive payroll review before each cycle including exception reports, rate changes, headcount variances, and fringe adjustments prior to Controllership/Accounting register sign-off. Serve as the sole approval authority for all off-cycle and correction runs; act as first decision point for any payroll correction request regardless of source; ensure all off-cycle activity is documented per established expectations. Review banking and direct deposit change reports prior to each payroll run as a compensating detective control. Oversee time data validation for completeness and coding accuracy following supervisor approval; resolve or escalate exceptions before the payroll run. Team Leadership. Manage and develop a team of direct reports: Payroll Specialist-Processing and Payroll Specialist-Union & Fringe. Serve as the escalation point for both specialists on operational issues, CBA interpretation questions, and compliance concerns. Build out process documentation and desk procedures for the payroll function as the function is developed and continues to evolve. Monitor payroll team performance and support the onboarding and development of payroll staff. Support payroll system implementation efforts, including testing, process documentation, and transition activities. Controls & Compliance Serve as the operational accountability layer between Controllership's SOX control design and day-to-day execution responsible for ensuring the team executes controls as designed. Approve all CBA rate changes before they flow into fringe calculations; maintain a two-person control on rate inputs and outputs. Provide input into periodic payroll system access reviews conducted by Controllership/Accounting; advise on appropriate access levels based on team role needs. Ensure all payroll records and processes comply with company policy, applicable federal, state, and local regulations, and CBA obligations. Lead or coordinate W-2 preparation, distribution, and W-2c corrections in alignment with COE tax filing requirements. Stakeholder Coordination Serve as the OpCo's primary liaison to the Central COE on tax filings, garnishments, ACA reporting, and payroll policy standards. Own pay inquiry intake, general pay inquiry resolution, and payroll policy questions. Collaborate with the People Team on new hire data packet SLAs, termination notification protocols, and the handoff line between employment actions and pay actions. Escalate to Controllership/Accounting on items with financial exposure, control implications, or unresolved compliance questions. Prepare or support compliance reporting for various payroll and project-related recipients, both internal and external. Organize and manage record retention of payroll data and reports. Required Skills and Abilities: Demonstrated experience owning and building payroll processes not solely executing within established ones. Direct experience with union payroll, including CBA rate structures, fringe remittance, and trust fund obligations; strongly preferred. Working knowledge of SOX control environments and payroll's role within them. Strong judgment and escalation instincts knows when to resolve independently and when to bring issues forward. Prior experience managing or developing junior payroll staff preferred. Excellent interpersonal and oral communication skills; ability to work effectively with all levels of internal management and staff, as well as outside clients and vendors. Solid computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office; strong working knowledge of Excel required. Strong attention to detail with a proven history of process improvement and working across departments. Flexible work style with the ability and willingness to adapt as business needs evolve. Qualifications and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field. 5+ years of progressive payroll experience, with demonstrated ownership of a full payroll function. Union construction industry experience strongly preferred. CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) designation a plus. Travel Requirements: Travel to project sites or other APi Inc. company locations as needed. Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Primarily a stationary position for a considerable portion of the day (sitting and/or standing). The person in this position needs to move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc. Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer. Must be able to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders via face-to-face, conference calls, and online meetings. The employee will occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Must be able to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in a plant or field environment. PPE required when in the plant, yard, or construction areas includes: Hard Hat, Safety Glasses/Goggles, Steel-toed Boots, High Visibility Vest, Hearing Protection (designated areas), and Gloves. This position is not eligible for sponsorship Benefits: