Payroll Senior Manager; Hybrid

Payroll Senior Manager (Hybrid) at American Family Insurance

Location:

Madison, WI;
Boston, MA;
Minneapolis, MN (hybrid – minimum 10 days per month in office; within 35–50 miles).

Provide technical oversight for bi‑weekly payroll, bonus payments, federal, state, and local payroll taxation recognition and payment, voluntary and involuntary deductions. Direct tax research and planning related to payroll and taxable compensation determination matters. Develop, recommend, and implement payroll taxation planning strategies and expense‑efficiency ideas. Provide oversight with the outside vendor for the preparation and filing of federal, state, and local tax returns, and tax payments.

Lead staff in audit defense, compensation and tax reporting, and process improvement. Report to the HR Operations Director.

$99,000.00 – $

Salary

• Creates a collaborative, performance‑driven work environment by facilitating trust, transparency, and inclusion, setting clear goals, providing feedback, performing assessments, and supporting development.
• Leads with influence and expertise; contributes to the division or department leadership team; communicates and supports the organization’s mission, vision, values, and practices.
• Researches payroll tax laws and regulations and their impact to the company; works with internal departments to determine impacts of proposed legislative and regulatory changes.
• Provides oversight and direction for creating the bi‑weekly, off‑cycle, and bonus payrolls; directs compiling and computing of payroll data metrics.
• Consults with compensation and benefits departments to ensure the accuracy of data input, paychecks, taxation, and deduction amounts for active and terminating employees.
• Provides oversight for the preparation and review of outsourced payroll tax returns; reviews significant portions for accuracy; establishes systematic data validations and reviews of payroll and employee system data.
• Manages vendor relationships pertinent to payroll.
• Works with Accounting to ensure proper financial statement accounting for salary and benefits expense payments and taxation; implements, maintains, and tests proper internal controls.
• Develops strategies and arguments that minimize adverse payroll‑related audit adjustments and reduce audit risk; responsible for defense against audits by IRS, state, or local authorities for federal and state taxable income and withholding, taxable fringe benefits, and unemployment insurance payments.
• Maximizes efficiencies for payroll systems and processes by establishing consistent tools and ensuring accurate data inputs and information systems.

• Demonstrated effective leadership skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of federal, state, local compensation and payroll and unemployment taxation laws and regulations for all applicable jurisdictions.
• Demonstrated understanding of Title III of the Consumer Credit Protection Act pertaining to garnishment of wages.
• Demonstrated mathematical, communication, and project management skills.

Not applicable.

Up to 10%.

Work that primarily involves sitting/standing.

• Offer contingent on background checks.
• Offer contingent on signing a non‑disclosure agreement for proprietary information, trade secrets, and inventions.
• Sponsorship will not be considered unless specified.
• Workday payroll experience is preferred but not required.

We provide benefits that support physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing: comprehensive medical, dental, vision, wellbeing benefits, a competitive 401(k) contribution, a pension plan, an annual incentive, 9 paid holidays, and a paid‑time‑off program (23 days accrued annually for full‑time employees). Also, student‑loan repayment and paid‑family leave are available. Interns and contingent workers are not eligible for benefits.

We are an equal‑opportunity employer. We comply with all applicable federal, state, and local anti‑discrimination laws and consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable law. We are committed to the inclusion of all qualified individuals. Request a reasonable accommodation via