Payroll Manager

About the OpportunityA well-established, privately held retail organization in the Greater Cleveland, Ohio area is seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to provide hands-on leadership within a complex, high-volume payroll environment. This is an immediate, 3+ month consulting opportunity for a payroll leader who can quickly step into a fast-paced environment and provide stability and continuity during a period of transition.Key ResponsibilitiesLead end-to-end payroll operations for a high-volume workforce that includes both hourly and salaried employees, union payroll, and multiple payroll cycles.Oversee payroll activities in a fast-moving environment with frequent employee changes and exceptions, ensuring payroll accuracy and responsiveness across new hires, terminations, pay-rate changes, and other payroll-related updates.Manage critical payroll processing deadlines, including error resolution and timely submission through ADP Workforce Now, while supporting payroll processing and integration with the organization’s timekeeping system.Apply a strong understanding of payroll accounting, including payroll entries and their impact on the general ledger.Partner closely with HRIS and finance leadership on payroll-related system and data matters, account reconciliations, and the identification, troubleshooting, and resolution of reconciling items.Provide hands-on leadership, guidance, and support to the payroll team while communicating effectively and patiently with managers and associates who have varying levels of payroll knowledge and experience.QualificationsBachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field, or a combination of relevant education and experience.7+ years of demonstrated experience managing complex, high-volume payroll operations, including payroll for both hourly and salaried employee populations.Hands-on experience with ADP payroll technology; experience with ADP Workforce Now is highly relevant to the role.Strong understanding of payroll accounting, including payroll journal entries, general ledger impacts, account reconciliations, and resolution of reconciling items.Proven management and interpersonal skills, with the ability to lead, coach, and support payroll professionals while communicating effectively and patiently with employees and managers who have varying levels of payroll expertise.Strong analytical, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills in an environment with frequent payroll changes and exceptions.Experience supporting union payroll is a plus.Experience working with integrated payroll and timekeeping systems is a plus.Sikich is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V