Reporting to the Director, Payroll, the Manager, Payroll will provide leadership and oversight of all aspects of payroll shared services operations for the multi-entity multi-state organization, including Tribal Members. This role is responsible for aligning payroll systems and operations with the entities overall business strategies, closely collaborating with Finance, Accounting, Legal, Human Resources and operational leaders to drive strategy and effectively mitigate financial, legal, compliance and operational risk. While also playing a critical role in safeguarding payroll accuracy, maintaining confidentiality, and driving continuous improvement in payroll policies and procedures.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1.    Manages and oversees all payroll operations, including payroll processing, regulatory compliance, staff development, process improvement, data integrity, audit readiness, and cross-functional collaboration, to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payroll administration while maintaining effective internal controls and operational excellence.
2.    Reviews, interprets, and implements payroll-related laws, regulations, collective bargaining agreements, legal decisions, and policy requirements, assessing operational impacts and ensuring payroll processes, controls, records, and practices remain compliant with all applicable federal, state, local, and organizational requirements.
3.    Oversees and reviews, the continuous updates to payroll standard operating procedures to ensure compliance, accuracy, process consistency, and alignment with organizational policies; identifies process improvements and implements procedural changes to enhance payroll operations and team effectiveness.
4.    Analyze payroll processes, data, and operational issues to identify risks, improve efficiencies, resolve discrepancies, ensure data integrity, and implement corrective and preventive solutions.
5.    Collaborate with internal and external partners including Human Resources, Finance, General Ledger teams, auditors, and department leaders to resolve payroll-related issues, provide guidance, and support organizational objectives.
6.    Performs other duties as assigned to support the efficient operation of the department.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring and training employees; planning, assigning reviewing and managing work; evaluating and appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. Makes hiring decisions and designs individual development plans with succession planning in mind for all key roles.

 EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field required.

• Minimum of seven (7) years progressive payroll experience in high volume employee count electronic payroll systems, in which three (3) years of experience processing payroll in Workday, including configuration, auditing, reconciliations, and payroll journal entry preparation and review required.

• Minimum five (5) years of experience managing teams within payroll required.

• Related, relevant, and/or direct experience may be considered in lieu of minimum educational requirements indicated above.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSA)

• In-depth knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll laws and tax regulations.

• Proficiency in Workday payroll software required.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

• Ability to acquire In-depth understanding of Tribal Employment Rights Ordinances (TERO) and other Native American employment laws.

• Familiarity with the unique payroll requirements and compliance issues related to Native American tribes.

• Must have executive presence and be able to present to Executives and Boards.

• Must be able to demonstrate influential and negotiation skills with executive leadership.

• Mastery of advanced Excel skills including complex formulas required. 

• Proven ability to provide leadership, guidance, collaboration, and empowerment is a must.

• Demonstrated ability to drive business results is required.

• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing complex accounting information in a clear and concise manner with leadership, colleagues, and staff.

• Act with integrity, professionalism, and personal responsibility to uphold the organization’s values, vision and goals.

• Ability to meet deadlines and perform under pressure and job ambiguity.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS AND REGISTRATIONS

• At the discretion of the San Manuel Tribal Gaming Commission, you may be required to obtain and maintain a gaming license.

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation required.

• Driving Responsibilities: Role requires regular commuting between locations. A valid driver's license and vehicle insurance with minimum liability limits is required. Role will not operate or drive Tribe-owned vehicles or patron vehicles.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/ WORKING CONDITIONS – ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and working environment described here are representative of those that an employee encounters and must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Primary work environment is in a climate-controlled office setting.

• Work requires travel to attend meetings, trade shows, and conferences.

• Incumbents may be required to work evening, weekend and holiday shifts.

• Must be able to work in a fast-paced, high-demand environment.

• Strength sufficient to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects and/or move up to 40 pounds occasionally.

• Sedentary work: involves sitting most of the time. Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.

• Physical activities that apply to the essential functions of the position are balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.

• Hearing sufficient to hear conversational levels in person, via videoconference and over the telephone.

• Speech sufficient to make oneself heard and understood in person, in front of groups, in meetings, via videoconference and over the telephone.

• Visual acuity that meets the requirements of the position: The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; expansive reading and visual inspection of employees, visitors or facility.

• Mobility sufficient to safely move in an office environment, walk, stoop, bend and kneel, and enter, exit and operate a motor vehicle in the course of travel to promotional events, meetings, conferences, trade shows and San Manuel properties.

• Endurance sufficient to sit, walk and stand for extended periods, and maintain efficiency throughout the entire work shift and during extended work hours.

• The employee may be exposed to fumes or airborne particles including secondhand smoke.

Reasonable accommodation will be made in compliance with all applicable law.

As one of the largest private employers in the Inland Empire, San Manuel deeply cares about the future, growth and well-being of its employees. Join our team today!