Payroll Manager; Hybrid

Payroll Manager

The Payroll Manager is responsible for leading the accurate, timely, and compliant administration of payroll for Meridian's U.S. business units. This position owns the end-to-end payroll function, including payroll processing, tax administration, timekeeping validation, reconciliations, reporting, controls, vendor management, and year-end activities. Serving as Meridian's primary payroll subject matter expert, the Payroll Manager establishes payroll procedures, provides guidance on complex payroll matters, and partners with Finance, HR, Benefits, HRIS, employees, managers, and third-party vendors to ensure effective payroll operations.

The position leads payroll-related audits, system enhancements, integrations, compliance initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts designed to strengthen accuracy, efficiency, controls, business continuity, and the employee experience.

• Lead and own the end-to-end administration of biweekly, multi-state payrolls, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, compliance, and adherence to established review and approval controls.
• Manage payroll transactions including new hires, terminations, compensation changes, bonuses, commissions, relocation payments, overtime, taxable benefits, and other earnings and deductions.
• Review, approve, and process off-cycle payrolls, adjustments, reversals, and correction payments.
• Review, verify, and reconcile payroll data prior to payroll transmission and validate final payroll results and confirmed reports.
• Oversee the validation and reconciliation of timesheets, attendance records, and other payroll inputs before payments are processed.
• Establish and maintain payroll calendars, procedures, documentation, service expectations, and operating standards.
• Serve as the final payroll review and escalation point for complex transactions, corrections, employee concerns, compliance matters, and operational issues.
• Maintain appropriate payroll process documentation, cross-training, backup coverage, and business continuity procedures to reduce operational risk.
• Provide functional direction and subject matter expertise to employees and internal partners supporting payroll-related activities.

Payroll Compliance and Tax Administration

• Ensure payroll operations comply with applicable federal, state, and local payroll, wage and hour, taxation, withholding, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments affecting payroll administration and lead the implementation of required process, system, or policy changes.
• Prepare and submit accurate and timely federal, state, and local payroll tax filings, payments, and required governmental reporting, whether completed internally or through third-party providers.
• Review and reconcile payroll tax and wage withholding reports for federal, state, and local jurisdictions.
• Research and resolve payroll tax notices, agency inquiries, discrepancies, and other compliance-related matters.
• Manage garnishment administration and ensure compliance with applicable orders, regulations, withholding requirements, and remittance deadlines.
• Maintain comprehensive and current knowledge of payroll laws, taxation requirements, wage and hour regulations, and industry best practices.
• Assess payroll compliance risks and recommend appropriate controls, corrective actions, and process improvements.

Payroll Systems and Workday Administration

• Serve as the functional owner of Workday Payroll and related payroll technologies, partnering with HRIS on configuration, security, integrations, testing, system governance, and technical support.
• Maintain and govern payroll earning codes, deduction codes, pay groups, pay periods, tax configurations, and other payroll-related setup within Workday.
• Ensure the accuracy and integrity of employee payroll information, including direct deposit, tax withholding, payment elections, and payroll-related records.
• Troubleshoot complex payroll and system issues and coordinate resolution with HRIS, Finance, Benefits, vendors, and other internal partners.
• Lead payroll-related testing, validation, and implementation activities associated with Workday releases, tax updates,…