Senior Payroll Manager Altus Fire and Life Safety - 4.5 Atlanta, GA Job Details Full-time $125,000 - $150,000 a year 1 day ago Qualifications Systems integration Payroll tax Payroll tax processing Team leadership Employment law Regulatory compliance Software implementation HR legal compliance HR systems (technically supported) Enterprise solutions implementation State tax HR compliance Local tax Senior leadership Full Job Description Job Description We are a private equity-backed, high-growth platform company executing an active roll-up strategy across multiple operating entities. Our organization currently manages 20+ Employer Identification Numbers (EINs) spanning numerous states, and that footprint continues to expand through acquisition. We are seeking a Senior Payroll Manager who thrives in complex, fast-moving environments and brings the technical depth, systems acumen, continuous-improvement mindset, and payroll expertise to match our pace. This role owns end-to-end payroll operations for 1000 + employees, in the US and Canada, across all entities, ensures full FLSA, multi-state & provincial compliance — including certified payroll and prevailing wage obligations — and serves as the internal subject matter expert on payroll technology and process automation. The ideal candidate is as comfortable in the weeds of a Davis-Bacon audit as they are piloting an AI-assisted workflow or leading a payroll system implementation. We are currently in the midst of implementing a new operating system within our business that must be properly integrated with our payroll systems. Responsibilities Multi-entity payroll operations Manage end-to-end payroll processing across 20+ US EINs and multiple Canadians legal entities, including acquisitions as they are onboarded. Oversee weekly, bi-weekly, and semi-monthly payroll cycles for hourly, salaried, and field-based employee populations. Maintain accurate entity-level payroll records, ensuring clean separation of company codes, cost centers, and general ledger mappings. Coordinate payroll cutover and integration activities for newly acquired companies during M&A transitions. Work to align all US EINS on one consistent pay cycle Compliance & regulatory Ensure full compliance with federal, state, and local wage-and-hour laws across all jurisdictions in which the company operates. Administer certified payroll reporting (WH-347 or equivalent) for all public works and government-funded projects subject to the Davis-Bacon Act and related prevailing wage statutes. Maintain prevailing wage rate tables, monitor wage determinations, and respond to Department of Labor or state agency inquiries. Manage multi-state tax registrations, withholding accounts, SUI rates, and local tax jurisdictions; coordinate with external tax counsel as needed. Stay current on legislative changes and proactively communicate compliance impacts to HR and Finance leadership. Systems, technology & automation Lead or actively participate in payroll system implementations, upgrades, and integrations — from requirements gathering through UAT and go-live. Lead all efforts around integration between company's primary operating systems and HRIS/Payroll system Identify, design, and deploy workflow automation and process improvements that reduce manual touchpoints, improve cycle time, and minimize error rates. Explore and pilot AI-assisted tools for payroll auditing, anomaly detection, and reporting; champion responsible adoption within the payroll function. Maintain integrations between payroll, HRIS, time & attendance, and general ledger systems. Reporting, audit & controls Produce payroll analytics and executive-level reporting for PE sponsor reporting packages, including labor cost variance, headcount reconciliation, and accrual schedules. Maintain and enforce internal controls over payroll, including segregation of duties, approval workflows, and audit trails.

Manage year-end processes:

W-2 reconciliation and issuance, and applicable state filings across all EINs. Support internal and external audits, including workers' compensation audits and certified payroll compliance reviews. Leadership & cross-functional partnership Lead and develop a payroll team; set clear expectations, provide coaching, and build bench strength. Partner closely with HR, Accounting, Risk, and Operations to align payroll processes with company-wide initiatives. Act as the escalation point for complex employee payroll inquiries and disputes. Support due diligence and integration workstreams for future acquisitions as the company continues its roll-up strategy. Skills & Qualifications 15+ years of progressive payroll experience, with at least 10 years in a senior or leadership role. Demonstrated experience in a PE-backed or roll-up / multi-entity organizational structure managing 10+ EINs (20+ strongly preferred). Hands-on experience with certified payroll reporting and prevailing wage compliance under Davis-Bacon, state prevailing wage laws, or both. Proven multi-state payroll compliance expertise and Canadian experience Strong working knowledge of

FLSA, IRS

payroll tax regulations, and wage-and-hour law. Experience leading or materially contributing to a payroll system implementation or major platform migration. Deep systems experience connecting payroll solutions to other systems within a business Proficiency with Paychex Flex or related Paychex products is highly preferred; experience with other enterprise payroll platforms (ADP, Ceridian Dayforce, UKG) considered. Demonstrated ability to build or improve payroll workflows and automate repetitive processes.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation from the American Payroll Association. Experience with AI-assisted tools, RPA, or workflow automation platforms (e.g., Power Automate, Zapier, or vendor-native AI features). Familiarity with construction, field services, or government contracting industries where prevailing wage obligations are common. Experience supporting M&A integration activities, including payroll cutover planning and entity consolidation. Exposure to PE reporting cadences, EBITDA add-back treatment for payroll adjustments, and lender compliance requirements.