Payroll Manager

Position Summary

The Payroll Manager oversees the accurate and timely processing of payroll for all County employees, ensuring compliance with federal and state laws, regulations, and internal policies. This position plays a critical role in safeguarding employee compensation, maintaining payroll records, managing tax withholdings and benefits deductions, and coordinating with Human Resources and Accounting. The Payroll Manager supervises payroll staff and supports the Finance Director in audit preparation, reconciliation, and internal control compliance.

Essential Job Functions

• Manage end-to-end payroll processing on a biweekly basis for all County departments and employees
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, policies, and IRS/tax requirements including FLSA, W-2, W-4, 941, and state tax filings
• Supervise payroll staff, assign tasks, provide training, and conduct performance evaluations
• Conduct internal audits to ensure data integrity, resolve discrepancies, and ensure timely corrections
• Collaborate with HR to ensure proper entry and documentation of new hires, terminations, promotions, and changes to pay or benefits
• Administer and reconcile payroll-related general ledger accounts in coordination with the accounting division
• Maintain payroll software configuration (e.g., Munis); troubleshoot and coordinate with IT or vendors for system issues or updates
• Oversee preparation and distribution of annual W-2s and other payroll-related tax forms.
• Maintain and protect employee payroll records in compliance with retention and confidentiality standards
• Develop and update payroll policies and procedures; recommend process improvements for efficiency and compliance
• Respond to employee inquiries, resolve issues, and provide clear guidance on payroll-related matters
• Support year-end financial reporting and external audits by providing payroll data and documentation
• Perform other duties assigned by the Finance Director

Note: This is not an exhaustive list of duties. The County reserves the right to modify job duties or assign additional responsibilities as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, Human Resources, or related field

Experience:

• Five (5) – seven (7) years of payroll processing or financial administration including 2 years of supervisory experience
• Public sector or local government experience (preferred)
• Experience working with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems such as Tyler Munis, Oracle, or SAP.
• Any combination of education, training, and experience which provides required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered

Certifications/Licenses:

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) preferred
• Other related certifications may be considered.
• Valid Commonwealth of Virginia driver’s license

Special Qualifications:

• Acceptable driving record

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proficiency in payroll systems, Microsoft Excel, and accounting software
• In-depth knowledge of payroll laws, federal/state tax reporting, and benefits administration
• Knowledge of FLSA, IRS regulations, state wage laws, and public sector pay structures
• Demonstrated ability to lead payroll functions in a public sector or multi-departmental organization
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with the ability to manage sensitive information
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Skilled in supervising staff and fostering team collaboration
• Excellent judgment and discretion in handling confidential information
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to resolve complex payroll issues

Working Conditions and Disclaimer

This work requires the frequent exertion of up to 10 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle, or feel, frequently sitting and repetitive motions, and occasionally requires standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, and pushing or pulling; work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception, and peripheral vision; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important information to others; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment, and observing general surroundings and activities; work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally performed in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, computer printers, light traffic, etc.).

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performance by employees with this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications as required of employees assigned to this position.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Orange County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

General Acknowledgement: The employee is expected to comply with all County policies and procedures and to consistently demonstrate adherence through their conduct. As a representative of Orange County, the employee is also expected to serve as a role model by upholding the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in accordance with these policies.

Orange County is an equal opportunity employer. Orange County does not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected class as established by law.

Pay: $75,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person