Payroll Supervisor

Title
:
Payroll Supervisor
Company Industry
:
Life Sciences
Compensation
:
Up to $105k base salary
Location
:
La Jolla, CA

Our client, a growing organization within the life sciences and research space, is seeking a Payroll Supervisor to lead payroll operations and oversee a small payroll team. This individual will play a key role in supporting a rapidly scaling employee population and ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely payroll processing across a complex, multi‑state environment.

The ideal candidate is hands‑on, adaptable, and experienced managing high‑volume payroll operations with strong attention to detail and a collaborative mindset.

• Lead, mentor, and oversee payroll staff, including workload management, coaching, and performance oversight
• Manage end‑to‑end payroll processing for salaried, hourly, and stipend‑based employees
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations across a multi‑state workforce
• Review payroll data including timekeeping, compensation updates, deductions, and employee changes
• Maintain payroll records and ensure integrity within payroll systems
• Partner closely with HR, Finance, Benefits, and other cross‑functional teams to resolve payroll matters and support employee inquiries
• Conduct payroll audits and reconciliations to ensure accuracy and compliance
• Prepare payroll reporting and support leadership requests as needed
• Oversee payroll and tax compliance related to foreign national employees and non‑employees
• Administer Glacier, including treaty application tracking, tax residency determinations, and required documentation
• Support year‑end and periodic tax reporting, including 1042 and 1042‑S filings
• Assist with payroll process improvements, policy development, and operational best practices

• Experience processing high‑volume payroll in a complex environment, ideally supporting significant organizational growth
• Strong knowledge of multi‑state payroll compliance, including experience supporting employees across numerous states
• Ability to adapt quickly in a fast‑paced, evolving environment with shifting priorities
• Proven ability to maintain accuracy and meet strict payroll deadlines under pressure
• Minimum 3 years of recent payroll supervisory experience, including team leadership and performance management
• Experience partnering cross‑functionally with HR, Finance, Benefits, and related teams

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field preferred
• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience
• Experience with payroll systems such as Workday and/or UKG
• Advanced Excel and systems proficiency
• CPP certification preferred
• Experience supporting international or foreign national payroll processes is a plus

Vaco by Highspring values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign‑born residents, and veterans to apply.

Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law.

Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact

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