Senior Payroll Manager

Job Title – Senior Payroll Manager

Location – Los Angeles, California

Base Salary – $140,000 – $170,000

Industry: Legal

Job Category: Legal

Manager, Payroll to lead the payroll function across multiple U.S. jurisdictions. This position requires deep expertise in payroll operations, systems configuration, compliance, and process optimization. The role ensures accuracy, regulatory compliance, and seamless integration with HR, benefits, and finance systems.

Position Overview

The Senior Manager, Payroll will oversee all aspects of payroll processing and compliance, lead system configuration and data management, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. This individual will collaborate cross-functionally to ensure alignment with firm policies, benefit plans, and compensation agreements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead payroll system configuration, ensuring accurate data inputs, integrations, calculations, and reporting


• Design and implement audit processes to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage and tax regulations


• Manage payroll operations for multi-state employee populations, ensuring adherence to internal policies and regulatory changes


• Reconcile payroll data inputs and outputs with source systems and documentation


• Lead and resolve complex payroll issues, including tax filings, amendments, and regulatory challenges


• Analyze and support firm-wide initiatives involving payroll, compensation, benefits, and reporting


• Serve as a strategic partner to internal departments, offering guidance on process design and payroll integration


• Build team expertise through coaching, training, process documentation, and participation in industry best practices


• Collaborate proactively with stakeholders across the firm to align and communicate payroll-related priorities

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience)


• 10+ years of multi-state payroll leadership experience


• Strong technical knowledge of payroll compliance, tax filings, and system integration


• Experience in a law firm or professional services environment is required (preferably global)


• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation preferred


• Hands-on experience with ADP Vantage, SmartCompliance, and ADP reporting tools required

This is a high-impact leadership opportunity to join a prestigious law firm and oversee a critical business function with strong visibility and growth potential.

REQuired skills:

Experience with payroll on a multi-state basis with wage/hour & highly compensated professionals
10+ years of multi-state payroll leadership experience
Strong technical knowledge of payroll compliance, tax filings, and system integration
Experience in a law firm or professional services environment
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation preferred
Experience with ADP Vantage, SmartCompliance, and ADP reporting tools required
Direct staff management experience required