Manager, Payroll

The Payroll Manager is responsible for leading the end-to-end payroll function for both our in-office employees and union-represented vessel personnel across multiple entities. This role ensures accurate and timely payroll processing, administration of collective bargaining agreements, payroll tax compliance, retirement and benefit deductions, audit support, and adherence to federal, state, maritime, and union requirements. The Payroll Manager partners closely with Human Resources, Finance, and other pertinent departments, as well as external service providers to maintain payroll accuracy, compliance, and operational excellence.  The following competencies are essential to perform this job successfully and therefore are requirements of the position: 

• Time      Management: Ability to coordinate several activities simultaneously in a      fast-paced environment, prioritize and plan work activities, use time      efficiently, demonstrate organizational skills, and develop realistic      action plans. 
• Problem      Solving: Considers multiple sides of an issue, weighing consequences      before making a final decision. Makes informed decisions based on      available information and recognizes issues to determine actions needed to      advance the decision-making process. 
• Communication:      Prioritizes data sharing and works across departments to coordinate      execution and achieve shared outcomes. 
• Collaboration      & Teamwork: Thrives in a team-oriented environment, builds positive      working relationships across departments.
• Manage the end-to-end payroll function, establishing controls,      workflows, service standards, and continuous improvement initiatives to      ensure accuracy, compliance, and operational efficiency.
• Able to execute multi-entity payroll processing for diverse      workforces. Proficient in managing complex wage compliance, specialized      deductions, and industry-specific legal regulations.
• Administer crew payroll in accordance with multiple collective      bargaining agreements, ensuring accurate wage calculations, union      remittances, fringe benefit contributions, and compliance with contractual      obligations with support from the Operations team.
• Maintain confidentiality of payroll records, payroll operations, and      other sensitive information.
• Ensure that third-party providers achieve all federal and state      legislative and compliance standards.
• Manage multi-state payroll tax filing through third-party systems.
• Ensure payroll compliance with all company policies.
• Reconcile payroll-related benefit and retirement plan deductions,      coordinate with plan administrators, and support annual audits, compliance      testing, and reporting activities.
• Onboard new hires as needed.
• Manage and monitor external service providers and internal      stakeholders to ensure accurate, effective performance and adherence to      established service levels and compliance standards. 
• Prepare and reconcile payroll-related journal entries, labor cost      allocations, payroll accruals, and support schedules for monthly financial      close activities.
• Schedule tasks and the flow of information to process and distribute      payroll and other related tasks accurately.
• Manage timecards, time entry, and timekeeping software and systems.
• Research and complete all employment verifications and requests,      including those required by state and governmental agencies (unemployment      requests, audits, etc.).
• Perform reporting for compensation, ACA reporting, and ad hoc      reporting requests.
• Serve as the primary payroll lead for internal, external, union, and      governmental audits, ensuring timely and accurate responses to information      requests.
• Oversee payroll system administration, integrations, testing,      upgrades, and process automation initiatives to improve efficiency and      reporting accuracy. 
• Lead digital transformation and modernization of payroll systems.