Payroll Manager

Unity Search has partnered with an established healthcare organization in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in its search for aPayroll Manager. Reporting directly to the VP of Payroll, this leader will oversee day-to-day payroll operations for several thousand employees and provide leadership to two to three direct reports and their teams. This opportunity offers an established department with strong tenure, a collaborative culture, and a hiring manager who values flexibility, accountability, and employee development.

The Payroll Manager will own daily operations, resolve system and workflow challenges, improve processes, and play a key role in an upcoming system implementation. The ideal candidate will bring UKG experience and a strong background in high-volume, multi-state payroll, including California requirements. Experience with union payroll, shift differentials, and large hourly workforces is important; healthcare experience and a CPP designation are preferred.

Why Join?

• Operational Ownership – Lead day-to-day payroll operations for a multi-state workforce of several thousand employees, overseeing two to three direct reports and their teams.

• Direct Partnership with Leadership – Report directly to the VP of Payroll and serve as a trusted partner in resolving challenges, improving processes, and supporting the team.

• Meaningful Systems Impact – Play a key role in a payroll system implementation.

• Established Team – Join a payroll department with strong tenure, experienced team members, and a collaborative approach.

• People-First Culture – Supportive leadership that values customer service, open communication, and learning from mistakes.

• Flexibility & Work-Life Balance – A hiring manager who values flexibility and focuses on effective execution and team accountability.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead day-to-day payroll operations, ensuring accurate and timely payments for a large, geographically dispersed employee population.

• Oversee approximately two to three direct reports and their teams.

• Take ownership of operational decisions and escalations, allowing the VP of Payroll to focus more fully on strategic projects and implementations.

• Identify system, workflow, and team challenges, determine root causes, and implement practical solutions.

• Partner with payroll leadership on the UKG Pro and Workforce Manager implementation, including process review, testing, training, and transition support.

• Oversee payroll processes involving hourly employees, union requirements, shift differentials, and multiple shifts.

• Partner with the Payroll Director responsible for tax and compliance to support adherence to applicable payroll requirements, particularly in California.

• Lead, mentor, and develop team members while promoting accountability, collaboration, and a customer service mindset.

• Build strong relationships with internal partners and ensure employee payroll questions are addressed promptly and thoughtfully.

• Improve documentation, workflows, and team coverage to support consistent service and efficient operations.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.

• Strong payroll leadership experience, including team oversight and development.

• Experience managing high-volume payroll for a large employee population.

• UKG software experience required.

• Prior payroll or workforce management system implementation or migration experience highly preferred.

• Extensive multi-state payroll experience, including strong knowledge of California payroll requirements.

• Experience with union payroll, shift differentials, multiple shifts, and hourly employee populations.

• Healthcare payroll experience preferred, particularly in a hospital or similar environment.

• ADP experience helpful.

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation preferred.

• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to identify issues and recommend effective improvements.

• Excellent communication and leadership skills, with a supportive, people-first approach.

• Ability to manage a geographically dispersed team and balance operational accountability with flexibility.

Compensation:

• Depending on experience – $110K – $125K plus discretionary bonus