Northrop Grumman is seeking a Manager of Payroll 3 in its Irving, Texas location. This role will require an in-office location of Irving, Texas and will not allow for a full-time telecommuting arrangement.
Roles and Responsibilities- Lead end‑to‑end payroll operations for a complex, multi‑location workforce, ensuring timely and accurate processing for all pay groups.
- Analyze, audit, reconcile, and resolve complex payroll processing and employee payroll issues to ensure smooth payroll processing and a high degree of accuracy.
- Ensure payroll reporting and payments are compliant with company guidelines, generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and federal, state, and IRS regulations.
- Research and interpret federal, state, and local regulatory requirements and resolve tax, withholding, garnishment, and wage/hour issues related to payroll processing.
- Establish and maintain standard operating procedures and internal controls for payroll, including documentation of key processes and controls.
- Respond to internal and external auditing and regulatory inquiries, providing analysis, support, and timely resolution of findings.
- May work with system programmers and IT partners to design and implement payroll system changes, enhancements, and integrations; may administer company payroll systems in coordination with outside service providers.
- Collaborate closely with HR, Benefits, Finance, and other stakeholders to ensure accurate and aligned handling of compensation, benefits, leaves, and other pay‑related programs.
- Develop and maintain metrics, dashboards, and reports to monitor payroll performance, accuracy, and compliance.
- Lead, coach, and develop payroll staff, including workload planning, performance management, and skills development.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to streamline processes, reduce manual effort, and improve employee experience regarding pay and payroll inquiries.
This role will demand the following characteristics for success:
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and resolve complex payroll discrepancies.
- High attention to detail and accuracy in a high‑volume environment.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain payroll concepts to non‑technical stakeholders.
- Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and handle sensitive employee information appropriately.
- Ability to work independently, prioritize multiple deliverables, and meet tight deadlines.
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field and a minimum of 8-10 years of progressive payroll experience, including multi-state or multi-country payroll processing is required for this role.
- Current Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) is required.
- 3–5+ years of experience in a payroll leadership or supervisory role (managing a team or leading significant payroll operations).
- Strong working knowledge of:Payroll regulations (federal, state, and local tax withholding, wage and hour rules, garnishments).Benefits and deductions as they impact payroll (health, retirement, leave programs, etc.).
- Hands-on experience with a major payroll system (e.g., Workday, SAP, Oracle, ADP, or similar enterprise solution).
- Demonstrated experience in leading and developing a payroll team, including performance management and coaching.
- Experience managing end‑to‑end payroll cycles (data validation, approvals, processing, auditing, and issue resolution).
- Experience building and implementing standard operating procedures and internal controls for payroll.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and basic data/reporting tools (e.g., pivot tables, lookups).
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field
- 8-10 years of progressive payroll experience, including multi-state or multi-country payroll processing
- Current Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification
- 3-5+ years of payroll leadership or supervisory experience
- Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll regulations, tax withholding, wage and hour rules, and garnishments
- Knowledge of benefits and deductions affecting payroll, including health, retirement, and leave programs
- Hands-on experience with a major payroll system such as Workday, SAP, Oracle, ADP, or similar enterprise solution
- Experience leading and developing a payroll team, including performance management and coaching
- Experience managing end-to-end payroll cycles, including validation, approvals, processing, auditing, and issue resolution
- Experience building and implementing payroll standard operating procedures and internal controls
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and basic data and reporting tools, including pivot tables and lookups
Northrop Grumman Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Northrop Grumman and has not been reviewed or approved by Northrop Grumman.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage offers multiple medical plan options by region alongside dental, vision, mental‑health resources, and wellness programs. Recent materials also highlight added family‑building support, including a dedicated fertility benefit.
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Retirement Support — The 401(k) savings plan is positioned as competitive with a company match, auto‑escalation features, and access to an employee stock fund/ESPP. Official filings and benefits guides emphasize retirement as a core element of the Total Rewards package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Many sites offer a 9/80 schedule, generous PTO, paid holidays, and flexible/telework options where program needs allow. Paid parental and caregiver leave are prominently featured, with recent enhancements for the delivering parent.
Northrop Grumman Insights
What We Do
We are a close-knit community of big thinkers collaborating to keep the world safe. Our passion, creativity and expertise bring next-level technology solutions to life in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, space, and logistics and modernization for our customers around the globe. On the Northrop Grumman team, you’ll join our pursuit of excellence immersed in a dynamic culture of innovation and respect. Your unique perspective will help achieve our shared vision for the future of global security. Every step of the way, you'll be supported by world-class training, employee resource groups and a comprehensive benefits package that enables greater health and happiness for you and your family. Worldwide and across disciplines, we’re challenging what’s possible for technology to protect people and places from undersea to outer space and into cyberspace. And we see the impact of our performance every day. We are Northrop Grumman, and we work on what matters—now, you too can make a difference. Explore opportunities in engineering, IT, manufacturing, business management, cybersecurity and more with us. Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.








