Manager of Payroll

At PARTNER, success starts with the right mindset: connection, compassion, and curiosity. Whether consulting with clients or collaborating with colleagues, these principles guide how we work. We deliver engineering, environmental, and energy consulting, plus design services across the Americas, Europe, and beyond. As a leader in Commercial Real Estate (CRE), we’re 1,600+ professionals strong in 40+ offices. Our mission is simple: create the best home for talented professionals.

If you value delivering exceptional experiences through problem-solving, coordination, and a mindset of care for clients and colleagues, you’ll feel right t approach has earned us recognition on ENR’s Top 500 Design Firms, Inc. 5000’s Fastest-Growing Companies, and Zweig’s Best Firms to Work For. Here, your ideas matter, your impact is real, and your work helps shape the future.

Come join an all-in HR team committed to hiring great people, developing our talent and creating a culture that our people love!

Partner Engineering & Science is seeking an experienced, strategic, and hands‑on Manager of Payroll to support the administration, compliance, and continuous improvement of the Company’s employee payroll programs. This role will contribute to the delivery of exceptional employee experiences while maintaining operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and fiscal responsibility.

The ideal candidate is a tech‑savvy, analytical manager who combines deep functional expertise with strong business acumen.

This is an in‑office position in Torrance, CA.

• Contribute to all aspects of payroll administration for a multi‑state workforce, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, compliance, and exceptional service.
• Establish and maintain payroll controls, processes, and audits to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Partner closely with Finance and Accounting on payroll reporting, reconciliations, labor cost analysis, and year‑end activities.

• Champion the use of technology, automation, and data analytics to improve efficiency, accuracy, and employee experience.
• Partner with HRIS, Finance, and IT teams to optimize integrations between payroll, benefits, HR, and financial systems.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives and identify opportunities to streamline processes and reduce operational risk.
• Build strong relationships across the organization and deliver exceptional internal customer service.
• Act as a trusted resource for employees, managers, and executives on benefits and payroll matters.

• hands‑on doer who is comfortable executing day‑to‑day operational details while maintaining a strategic perspective.
• Highly tech savvy
  , curious, and eager to leverage automation and technology to improve outcomes.
• An outstanding relationship builder with strong people skills and executive presence.
• Detail‑oriented, analytical, and solutions‑focused.
• Able to thrive in a fast‑paced, growth‑oriented environment.
• Passionate about delivering exceptional employee experiences while protecting the Company’s operational and financial integrity.

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in benefits, payroll, total rewards, or related HR leadership functions.
• Experience with payroll operations for a multi‑state workforce.
• Strong analytical, financial, and business acumen.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, deadline‑oriented and relationship‑building skills.
• Strong knowledge of benefits regulations, retirement plans, payroll laws, and compliance requirements.
• Experience leading vendor negotiations and managing third‑party service…