Sr. Manager, Payroll

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The Senior Manager, Payroll is a strategic and hands-on leader responsible for payroll operations, payroll accounting, and tax compliance. This role ensures the accurate and compliant processing of payroll while maintaining strong internal controls, audit readiness, and regulatory compliance. Reporting to senior HR leadership, this position leads the Payroll team and partners closely with HR, Accounting, Finance, Legal, and external vendors.

The Senior Manager, Payroll supports a large non-exempt employee population (1700+ employees) in a high-volume payroll environment across California and Washington and plays a key role in ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations. The ideal candidate has deep expertise in Workday Payroll, public company payroll operations, SOX compliance, audit support, and process improvement.   

WHAT YOU WILL DO:  

 Payroll Leadership & Operations 

• Lead and manage all aspects of end-to-end payroll operations for employees across California and Washington, ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing.
• Direct the bi-weekly payroll cycle, payroll accounting activities, payroll tax reporting, garnishments, and payroll-related compliance requirements.
• Build organizational capability through coaching, succession planning, performance management, and employee development.
• Establish and maintain payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls aligned with company objectives and regulatory requirements.
• Partner closely with HR, Finance, Accounting, and business leaders to support organizational growth and workforce changes.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance payroll efficiency, scale, and employee service.
• Oversee payroll tax filings, reconciliations, tax notices, and agency inquiries, ensuring timely resolution and compliance.
• Explore and develop utilization of reporting, automation, and emerging payroll technologies to improve operational efficiency, compliance, and employee experience.
• Serve as the payroll business owner for Workday Payroll and related payroll technologies.
• Coordinate year-end payroll reporting activities, including W-2 and W-2C preparation, validation, and distribution.
• Manage relationships with payroll vendors, tax providers, and third-party administrators, ensuring vendor performance, compliance, and service-level expectations are consistently met.

  Audit, Controls & Compliance 

• Lead payroll-related activities associated with external audits, internal audits, SOX compliance, and regulatory examinations.
• Ensure payroll processes, controls, and documentation meet public company standards and audit requirements.
• Partner with internal and external auditors to provide payroll records, reconciliations, process documentation, and supporting analyses.
• Maintain strong internal controls to ensure payroll accuracy, compliance, and risk mitigation.

Payroll Accounting & Reporting 

• Oversee payroll-related general ledger activities, account reconciliations, accruals, and financial reporting requirements.
• Review and approve post-payroll audits, reconciliations, and exception reporting to ensure payroll accuracy.
• Support monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close activities related to payroll and payroll taxes.
• Collaborate with Accounting and Finance to ensure accurate payroll expense reporting and balance sheet reconciliation.

WHAT THE JOB REQUIRES:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field.
• 8+ years of progressive payroll experience, including ownership of complex payroll operations in California; Washington experience a plus.
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing payroll teams.
• Advanced Workday Payroll and reporting expertise
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification a plus.   
• Expert knowledge of payroll administration, payroll accounting, tax compliance, and wage-and-hour laws for Federal, California and Washington. Experience supporting internal and external audits, SOX controls, and compliance requirements. Public company experience required.
• Hybrid work arrangement with in-office attendance four days per week (Monday through Thursday) at Essex's Irvine corporate office. Hybrid policy subject to change at Essex's sole discretion.
• Requires the ability to sit or stand for extended periods with minimal physical exertion.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE TABLE:   

• A strong operational and compliance-oriented leadership style with a passion for payroll excellence.
• A continuous improvement mindset focused on automation, efficiency, scalability, and controls.
• Ability to build strong cross-functional partnerships and influence stakeholders at all levels. 
• Sound judgment, attention to detail, and a commitment to accuracy and service excellence
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet critical deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• High degree of discretion when handling confidential employee information.

Essex provides great communities in which to live, work and invest. We are a purpose-driven company, and we pride ourselves on promoting an internal culture of growth and opportunity by engaging, enabling, and empowering our teams. Working at Essex is not a destination. It is a journey where you can confidently build your career.