We are looking for a Payroll Manager to oversee payroll operations and payroll-related accounting activities for our financial services organization in Austin, Texas. This position combines day-to-day payroll leadership with responsibility for reconciliations, journal entries, and control-focused financial accuracy. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable managing deadlines, improving workflows, and partnering with cross-functional teams to strengthen compliance and operational efficiency.<br><br>Responsibilities:<br>• Direct payroll processing activities from initial data review through final completion, ensuring employees are paid accurately, on schedule, and in line with applicable requirements.<br>• Examine payroll results before and after each cycle, investigate inconsistencies, and take corrective action to address errors or unusual variances.<br>• Manage payroll-related accounting tasks by preparing journal entries, accruals, and funding records that support accurate financial reporting.<br>• Reconcile payroll general ledger accounts each month and work through discrepancies in partnership with accounting and finance stakeholders.<br>• Maintain clear payroll procedures, internal controls, and supporting documentation to promote consistency and readiness for audits.<br>• Collaborate with HR, people leaders, and internal partners to answer payroll questions and provide guidance on payroll-related matters.<br>• Identify inefficiencies in current workflows and implement more scalable processes, tools, and automation to reduce manual effort and improve reliability.<br>• Support month-end close activities, audit requests, and reviews involving payroll, benefits, and compensation-related financial data.<br>• Build effective working relationships across a matrixed organization and independently drive priorities forward in a fast-paced, deadline-sensitive environment.
<p><strong>SENIOR PAYROLL MANAGER — STRATEGIC, NOT TRANSACTIONAL</strong></p><p>Location: Hybrid — 3 days onsite / 2 days remote Employment Type: Contract-to-Hire (3-6 months) Industry: Financial Services</p><p><br></p><p>WHY THIS ROLE?</p><p>High visibility from day one. You'll work directly with executive leadership, inherit a complex environment with real room for improvement, and have the mandate to define what "excellent" looks like. If you've been executing in a large org and want to finally own the function, this is that opportunity. Strong performers convert to permanent.</p><p><br></p><p>THE OPPORTUNITY</p><p>A well-established financial services organization is seeking a Senior Payroll Manager to oversee payroll accounting, compliance, and quality control across multiple entities. This is not a transactional payroll role. The ideal candidate operates as a strategic leader who brings structure, accountability, and a clear "what good looks like" mindset to the function.</p><p><br></p><p>WHAT YOU'LL DO</p><ul><li>Own payroll accounting, GL tie-outs, and pre/post-payroll reconciliations across multiple entities and input streams</li><li>Establish and enforce best-in-class payroll controls -- be the person who catches issues before they become audit findings</li><li>Ensure clean, accurate data flow in Oracle; partner with ADP to validate accuracy and completeness end-to-end</li><li>Analyze payroll data and investigate variances with a strong tie-out mindset</li><li>Drive automation, standardization, and process improvement initiatives -- you'll be building the playbook, not following one</li><li>Collaborate cross-functionally and present insights and recommendations directly to senior leadership including CFO-level stakeholders</li></ul>