Payroll Manager

CRB is seeking an experienced and strategic Payroll Manager to lead the end-to-end payroll function across a multi-state, project-based professional services organization. This role is responsible for ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing while driving continuous improvement through process optimization, automation, and HRIS enhancements.

The Payroll Manager will provide leadership and oversight payroll administrators, serve as the organization's payroll subject matter expert, and partner closely with Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, Benefits, and IT teams. The ideal candidate will bring deep payroll expertise, experience within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry, and a demonstrated track record supporting or leading HRIS implementations, upgrades, or system integrations.

This position offers the opportunity to lead a critical function while helping shape CRB's future payroll and HR technology strategy.

Work Mode: Hybrid - located in Kansas City, MO. In office three days per week.

Responsibilities

Payroll Operations Leadership

• Lead, manage, and oversee all payroll operations to ensure accurate and timely processing of multi-state payrolls.
• Direct the day-to-day activities, development, and performance of payroll personnel
• Establish service standards, workflows, and controls to ensure payroll accuracy, compliance, and exceptional employee support.
• Own payroll calendars, processing deadlines, reconciliations, and year-end activities.
• Ensure payroll practices comply with federal, state, local, and international payroll regulations as applicable.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Maintain ownership of payroll tax compliance, reporting requirements, wage and hour regulations, garnishments, and audit support activities.
• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Partner with HR, Finance, and external auditors to support payroll-related audits and compliance reviews.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes impacting payroll administration and implement required process changes.

HRIS & Systems Leadership

• Champion a forward-thinking mindset by questioning existing practices, reimagining processes, and leading the development and implementation of innovative systems and operational improvements that support future business growth.
• Serve as the payroll lead and subject matter expert for HRIS and payroll technology initiatives.
• Lead payroll-related workstreams for HRIS implementations, system upgrades, integrations, testing, and process redesign efforts.
• Partner with HR, IT, and Finance stakeholders to optimize payroll processes through automation and technology enhancements.
• Participate in system selection, requirements gathering, implementation planning, user acceptance testing (UAT), and change management activities.
• Maintain payroll system integrity, reporting accuracy, and data governance standards.
• Manage and oversee paid time off (PTO) administration, including accrual calculations, balance reconciliation, and coordination of leave-related processes in partnership with Payroll, Leave Management, and Human Resources to ensure accuracy, compliance, and a seamless employee experience.

Reporting & Analytics

• Own payroll reporting, reconciliations, and analytical insights for leadership and business partners.
• Develop and maintain audit reports, compliance reporting, workforce cost analysis, and payroll metrics.
• Identify trends, risks, and opportunities for process improvement based on payroll and workforce data.

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Collaborate with Human Resources, Benefits, Finance, Accounting, Project Controls, and Business Leaders to support payroll-related initiatives and employee experience.
• Partner with HR Operations to ensure seamless integration between employee lifecycle processes and payroll administration.
• Serve as the escalation point for complex payroll inquiries and issue resolution.
• Support mergers, acquisitions, organizational changes, and workforce growth initiatives impacting payroll operations.

Success Measures

• Payroll is processed accurately and on time with minimal errors.
• Compliance requirements are consistently met across all jurisdictions.
• Payroll processes are standardized, documented, and scalable.
• HRIS and payroll technology initiatives are successfully implemented and adopted.
• Service levels and employee satisfaction related to payroll support improve year over year.
• Payroll operations support CRB's continued growth and business objectives.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum 5+ years of progressive payroll experience, including leadership responsibility.
• Minimum 3+ years of people leadership experience managing payroll teams.
• Experience processing payroll in a multi-state environment.
• Demonstrated experience with Workday, Dayforce, or comparable enterprise payroll/HRIS platforms.
• Experience leading or significantly supporting HRIS implementations, conversions, or major system enhancements.
• Strong knowledge of payroll tax regulations, wage and hour laws, payroll accounting, and compliance requirements.
• Advanced proficiency with payroll reporting, analytics, and Microsoft Excel.
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry or other project-based professional services organizations.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation.
• Experience supporting multi-entity or multi-country payroll operations.
• Experience with system integrations, data migration, and process automation initiatives.
• Familiarity with Power BI, ERP systems, workforce analytics, and business intelligence reporting.
• Experience supporting acquisitions, organizational scaling, or business transformation initiatives.