Senior Payroll and Transformation Manager

JM Family Enterprises is seeking a strategic Senior Manager, Payroll and Transformation to lead the execution of enterprise-wide payroll operations. In this high-impact role, you’ll take the lead on all aspects of payroll processing for a dynamic and diverse associate population including executive leadership while driving modernization efforts that shape the future of payroll at JM Family. You'll be at the forefront of transforming systems, streamlining processes, and elevating service delivery through cutting-edge solutions and strategic collaboration with HR, Finance, Legal, and key business partners. This is your chance to lead with innovation, influence change, and make a lasting mark across the multi-billion-dollar enterprise. 

Responsibilities: 

• Develop, implement, and monitor internal controls and KPIs to ensure effective, efficient, and timely payroll processing. 

• Lead end-to-end payroll operations, including ownership of payroll for all associate groups, with a specific focus on accurate and confidential processing for executive management and senior leadership. 

• Foster a high-performing, values-aligned team culture by setting clear expectations, coaching team members, and supporting development and accountability. 

• Understand associate and leadership needs, troubleshooting proactively to ensure optimal payroll operations and service delivery. 

• Mentor and develop the payroll team by providing strategic problem solving and escalation support. 

• Drive continuous process improvements to align payroll operations with business strategy and evolving organizational needs. 

• Lead or support business-initiated projects that require payroll integration, ensuring collaboration with HR, Finance, and business units. 

• Oversee payroll and time & attendance system enhancements to improve accuracy, efficiency, scalability, and user experience. 

• Identify and implement innovative solutions that modernize payroll operations, automate workflows, and improve reporting and compliance capabilities. 

• Interpret and apply federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations, ensuring ongoing compliance and alignment with policy. 

• Monitor and communicate legislative changes; coordinate updates to policies and procedures accordingly. 

• Maintain audit readiness and proper documentation across all payroll functions, including tax reporting and filings. 

• Collaborate cross-functionally with HR, Finance, Legal, and business units to address payroll-related issues and implement improvements. 

• Serve as a key advisor on payroll impacts for organizational changes, new policy deployment, or M&A activity. 

• Manage relationships with payroll vendors, ensuring SLA compliance and identifying opportunities for service optimization and cost reduction. 

Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field required. 

• 8–10+ years of progressive payroll experience, including managing payroll operations for large, complex, multi-state organizations with over 5,000+. 

• Extensive knowledge of multi-state payroll regulations, tax laws, and compliance requirements, including federal, state, and local payroll legislation. 

• Experience handling executive compensation and confidential payroll processing with discretion and professionalism. 

• Proven leadership experience, including mentoring, managing, and developing high-performing payroll teams. 

• Demonstrated success leading payroll transformation initiatives, including process redesign, system implementations (Workday preferred), and automation efforts. 

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret payroll data, identify trends, and drive strategic improvements. 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a track record of effectively partnering with HR, Finance, Legal, and Senior Leadership. 

• Strong project management abilities, with the capacity to balance multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment. 

• High integrity, sound judgment, and a strong sense of accountability, particularly when managing sensitive and executive-level compensation matters.