Payroll Supervisor

Title :

Payroll Supervisor Company Industry :

Life Sciences Compensation :

Up to $105k base salary

Location :

La Jolla, CA Position Overview Our client, a growing organization within the life sciences and research space, is seeking a Payroll Supervisor to lead payroll operations and oversee a small payroll team. This individual will play a key role in supporting a rapidly scaling employee population and ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely payroll processing across a complex, multi-state environment. The ideal candidate is hands-on, adaptable, and experienced managing high-volume payroll operations with strong attention to detail and a collaborative mindset. Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and oversee payroll staff, including workload management, coaching, and performance oversight
• Manage end-to-end payroll processing for salaried, hourly, and stipend-based employees
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations across a multi-state workforce
• Review payroll data including timekeeping, compensation updates, deductions, and employee changes
• Maintain payroll records and ensure integrity within payroll systems
• Partner closely with HR, Finance, Benefits, and other cross-functional teams to resolve payroll matters and support employee inquiries
• Conduct payroll audits and reconciliations to ensure accuracy and compliance
• Prepare payroll reporting and support leadership requests as needed
• Oversee payroll and tax compliance related to foreign national employees and non-employees
• Administer Glacier, including treaty application tracking, tax residency determinations, and required documentation
• Support year-end and periodic tax reporting, including 1042 and 1042-S filings
• Assist with payroll process improvements, policy development, and operational best practices Must-Have Qualifications
• Experience processing high-volume payroll in a complex environment, ideally supporting significant organizational growth
• Strong knowledge of multi-state payroll compliance, including experience supporting employees across numerous states
• Ability to adapt quickly in a fast-paced, evolving environment with shifting priorities
• Proven ability to maintain accuracy and meet strict payroll deadlines under pressure
• Minimum 3 years of recent payroll supervisory experience, including team leadership and performance management
• Experience partnering cross-functionally with HR, Finance, Benefits, and related teams Preferred Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field preferred
• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience
• Experience with payroll systems such as Workday and/or UKG
• Advanced Excel and systems proficiency
• CPP certification preferred
• Experience supporting international or foreign national payroll processes is a plus