Payroll Manager

Location:

McLean, VA

Reports To:

Payroll Director

Direct Reports: 2 Payroll Supervisors

Position Overview

Clark Construction is seeking a high-caliber Payroll Manager to lead our complex, multi-state payroll operations. This role is pivotal in ensuring the accurate and timely compensation of our most valuable asset: our people. You will oversee two distinct payroll streams-a bi-weekly salaried cycle and a high-volume, weekly craft worker cycle.

As a key leader within the Finance/HR pillar, you will manage two direct reports (Payroll Supervisors) and drive process improvements that uphold our reputation for operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

* Strategic Oversight:
Direct the end-to-end processing of multi-state payroll for 5,000+ employees, balancing the nuances of bi-weekly corporate cycles and weekly craft/hourly cycles.

* Leadership & Mentorship:
Provide direct leadership to two Payroll Managers, fostering a culture of professional growth, accountability, and technical precision.

* Compliance & Labor Relations:
Ensure strict adherence to federal and state labor laws, tax regulations, and-crucially-union collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) and prevailing wage requirements (Davis-Bacon Act).

* Process Optimization:
Partner with the Payroll Director to identify and implement "best-in-class" systems and workflows to reduce manual entry and enhance data integrity.

* Reporting & Analytics:
Serve as the subject matter expert for payroll tax filings, year-end processing (W-2s), and internal audits.

* Cross-Functional Partnership:
Collaborate with HR, IT, and Legal to ensure seamless integration between timekeeping systems and payroll platforms.

Required Qualifications

* Experience:

7+ years of progressive payroll experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership or people-management capacity.

* Industry Knowledge:
Previous experience in Construction, Engineering, or Manufacturing is highly preferred. Must have a deep understanding of hourly craft worker payroll.

* Complexity Management:
Proven ability to manage diverse payroll schedules (weekly vs. bi-weekly) and complex tax jurisdictions.

* Technical Proficiency:
Advanced expertise in enterprise-level HCM/Payroll systems (e.g., Workday, SAP, Oracle) and sophisticated Excel modeling.

* Education/Certification:

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business. CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) designation is a significant plus.

The Ideal Candidate

"You are someone who thrives in the details but never loses sight of the big picture. You understand that for a craft worker, a weekly paycheck is a matter of trust and livelihood. You are a steady hand for your team and a strategic partner to the Director."