Take ownership of a critical business function, build accurate and compliant payroll infrastructure from the ground up, and make a tangible difference at a growing company. If you're energized by solving complex challenges, creating structure, and transforming payroll into a best-in-class function, read on.
Our Maryland-based client is growing rapidly following a major acquisition in late 2025, creating an exciting opportunity for an experienced Payroll Manager to lead the evolution of payroll operations bringing oversight, structure, accuracy and compliance where they are currently lacking. The Payroll Manager will oversee both union and non-union payroll operations, ensuring accurate processing, CBA compliance, and proper benefit fund reporting.
Partnering closely with a new Director of Human Resources, an external HR consultant, and executive leadership, you'll have the autonomy to modernize payroll processes to build a cohesive, compliant and efficient people's operations function. Leadership is committed to investing in the right person—providing the trust, resources, and authority needed to build a payroll operation that is accurate, compliant, and built to last.
We're looking for a meticulous, proactive payroll professional who embraces complexity, is comfortable navigating both union and non-union payroll environments and has the backbone to correct inherited errors, establish proper processes and hold the line on compliance – even when it requires difficult conversations.
Position Summary
The Payroll Manager will serve as our client's dedicated, in-house payroll professional responsible for managing end-to-end payroll operations for a workforce of approximately 200+ employees, including field mechanics, apprentices, helpers, and administrative staff across union and non-union classifications. You'll be trusted to partner effectively with the Human Resources Director to review and ensure seamless alignment between payroll, benefits and workforce data.
Reporting directly to senior leadership, this is a highly visible role for a payroll professional who combines deep technical expertise with regulatory knowledge and the interpersonal confidence to work in close coordination with the Director of Human resources and payroll/accounting team to audit current payroll practices to identify and remediate compliance gaps, correct longstanding practices, implement or optimize payroll systems and ensure employees are paid accurately and on time.
Qualifications
- REQUIRED: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field.
- Preferred Certifications: CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) — American Payroll Association/FPC (Fundamental Payroll Certification) — American Payroll Association (candidates actively pursuing certification considered).
- 5–7 years of progressive payroll experience, with demonstrated expertise in end-to-end payroll management including required experience working in a union environment managing CBA compliance and benefit fund contributions.
- Prevailing wage and certified payroll reporting experience is strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated experience auditing and correcting payroll practices inherited from a previous system or team.
- Processing payroll in field-based, hourly workforces with variable hours in construction, trades or mechanical services is strongly preferred.
- Working knowledge of FLSA, multi-state payroll tax compliance, garnishment processing, and wage and hour law.
- Strong consideration for experience participating in or leading a payroll system implementation or migration.
Skills & Competencies
- High accuracy and attention to detail.
- Proven ability to take initiative, identify opportunities for improvement, and independently drive solutions from start to finish.
- Proactive communicator to keep executive leadership, operational partners and employees informed; surfaces issues before they become crises.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving environment with competing deadlines.
- Experience with ADP preferred; strong Excel and payroll system proficiency.
- High degree of integrity, discretion, and professionalism when handling sensitive compensation data.
- Collaborative and partnership-oriented, building trust quickly with HR, accounting, and leadership.
Key Responsibilities
Payroll Foundation and Compliance
- Conduct a thorough audit of current payroll processes, records, tax filings, and system configurations within the first 60–90 days.
- Identify and remediate errors, gaps, or compliance risks in current payroll practices, including wage and hour compliance under the FLSA and applicable state laws.
- Ensure proper payroll integration of the acquired workforce (October 2025), including alignment of pay rates, classifications, benefit deductions, and tax withholdings for 41 absorbed employees.
- Establish and enforce documented payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls.
- Ensure accurate and timely processing of federal, state, and local payroll tax filings and remittances.
Payroll Processing and Administration
- Process accurate and timely weekly payroll for all employees, including field crews with variable hours, prevailing wage requirements, and certified payroll obligations where applicable.
- Manage union payroll processing in compliance with applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs), including proper calculation of wage scales, benefit fund contributions, vacation, and holiday accruals.
- Process and reconcile special pay items including overtime, shift differentials, bonuses, commissions, garnishments, and retroactive adjustments.
- Maintain payroll records in compliance with federal and state retention requirements.
- Respond accurately and promptly to employee paycheck inquiries and resolve discrepancies quickly.
Systems and Technology
- Assess the current payroll system and make recommendations for optimization or replacement as needed.
- Lead or support implementation of a payroll/HRIS system upgrade or transition in collaboration with the Director of Human Resources.
- Ensure proper integration between payroll, time and attendance, and HR data systems.
- Maintain data integrity across all payroll platforms and reporting tools.
Union and Prevailing Wage Compliance
- Process payroll in compliance with all applicable union agreements, including proper benefit fund contributions to IUEC (International Union of Elevator Constructors) or applicable local unions.
- Prepare and submit certified payroll reports for any public works or prevailing wage projects as required.
- Maintain current knowledge of CBA wage schedules, escalation dates, and contribution rate changes.
- Liaise with union administrators, benefit fund trustees, and business agents on payroll-related matters.
Reporting and Year-end
- Manage year-end payroll close including reconciliation of payroll registers, tax filings, and benefit deductions.
- Produce regular payroll reports for leadership, including labor cost summaries, overtime analysis, and headcount reporting.
- Support external audits, workers' compensation audits, and benefit plan audits with accurate payroll data.
HR & Benefits Coordination
- Partner closely with the HR Director to ensure alignment between HR data, benefits enrollment, and payroll deductions.
- Coordinate leave of absence pay processing including FMLA, short-term disability, and workers' compensation in collaboration with HR.
- Ensure proper handling of new hires, terminations, rate changes, and status changes in the payroll system in coordination with HR
- Support open enrollment and benefits changes by ensuring accurate and timely payroll deduction updates.
Pay: Up to $90,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Do you have payroll certifications?
Experience:
- end to end payroll management: 3 years (Required)
- CBA compliance and benefit fund contributions: 1 year (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Millersville, MD 21108 (Required)
Work Location: In person
