Payroll Manager

Accountabilities

Accuracy, Timeliness & Service Excellence
Ensure all US and global payrolls are processed accurately and on schedule. Provide responsive, knowledgeable support to employees and managers, resolving payroll inquiries and issues promptly to maintain trust, employee satisfaction, and operational continuity.

• Maintain a high standard of payroll accuracy by implementing validation controls, reconciliation processes, and quality checks to ensure payroll calculations, deductions, and payments are complete, accurate, and compliant prior to processing.

• Proactively identify, investigate, and resolve payroll issues by analyzing root causes, clearly communicating impacts, timelines, and resolutions to impacted employees and stakeholders, and implementing corrective and preventive actions to minimize disruption and prevent recurrence.

Compliance & Risk Management
Maintain full compliance with US federal, state, and local laws and global laws as applicable.  Oversee payroll tax updates and calculations, filings, payments, and reporting; monitor regulatory changes; assess risk; and implement necessary updates to policies, systems, and practices.

• Ensure accurate and timely updates to payroll tax calculations by monitoring changes in tax laws and regulations, validating system configurations, and coordinating implementation of required updates to maintain compliance and minimize risk.

• Manage payroll-related audits and compliance reporting, including preparation and maintenance of documentation for 401(k), financial, and regulatory audits; respond to audit inquiries; and partner with internal and external stakeholders to resolve findings and strengthen controls.

Controls, Security & Data Integrity
Protect the confidentiality, integrity and security sensitive payroll and employee data, enforce strong internal controls, segregation of duties, and access management.  Prevent errors and fraud, maintain accurate documentation and records, and ensure payroll processes and data are audit-ready at all times.

• Knows where to look for issues, legal compliance, what we are missing, regulations, audits, what needs fixed related to finance and payroll.

Systems & Processes Optimization
Oversee payroll systems integrations, and external vendors to ensure reliable performance and data accuracy. Drive automation standardization, and continuous improvement of payroll processes to enhance efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness while supporting global operations.

Leadership &Team Management
Lead, develop, and support the US and global payroll team, setting expectations, fostering accountability and promoting a service-oriented and compliance-focused culture aligned with organizational values. Ensure appropriate staffing, training, and knowledge-sharing to support current operations and future organizational needs.

Cross-functional Collaboration & Financial Reporting

Partner closely with People & Culture and Finance and other stakeholders to align payroll practices with organizational policies, benefits and compensation programs. Ensure payroll data supports accurate financial reporting, reconciliations, budgeting, and decision-making, contributing to strong financial stewardship in support of the organizations philanthropic mission.

Complexity and Problem-solving

• Uses comprehensive knowledge and skills to act independently while guiding and training others on achieving full compliance with applicable rules and regulations in management and/or operations.

• Ability to problem-solve complex payment issues.

• Uses expertise to support the planning, organizing, prioritizing, and overseeing activities to efficiently meet business objectives.

• Communicates with other people without requiring supervision and provides technical guidance when required on speaking in a clear, concise, and compelling manner.​ 

• Works with guidance (but not constant supervision) to review and create relevant, lucid, and effective reports.

Supervisory Responsibility

• Responsible for leading a small team of staff engaged in data preparation and the processing of accounts; prioritizing the work of the team to ensure defined standards, timetables, and set deadlines are met; managing and delivering training and development needs.

• Responsible for personnel-related decisions for direct reports, including performance management and appropriate use of resources, while ensuring compliance with established procedures and internal control systems.

Key Qualifications and Experience

• A bachelor’s degree in a related field; Substantial general work experience together with comprehensive job-related experience in area of expertise. (5-10 years)

• Experience at a manager level in supervising payroll functions with increasing responsibility and proven effectiveness is required. Working knowledge of U.S. federal and multi - state and international regulations related to areas of accountability.

• Proven management experience leading high performing teams to effectively collaborate is required.

• Experience with using Workday including understanding of basis configurations are required.

• Experience with providing support for 401k audit including basis payroll accounting knowledge.

• Knowledge and experience delivering Total Rewards and HRIS leadership within the non-profit, philanthropy or fiscal sponsorship preferred.

• International experience is strongly preferred.

Travel Requirements 

• Some travel may be required.

The incumbent in the role must demonstrate a commitment to RPA’s Mission and Values:

At Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, our mission is to accelerate philanthropy in pursuit of a just world, by providing deep global expertise to make philanthropy more thoughtful, equitable and effective.

• We believe that philanthropy can help create a better world.

• We make decisions that center people and communities.

• We believe philanthropy has a responsibility to pursue equity.

• We uphold the highest standards of integrity and trust.

• We are committed to learning and sharing knowledge.

If our mission resonates with you, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every qualification listed. You may bring valuable perspectives and experiences that aren’t captured here but could contribute meaningfully to our work. We’re excited to learn what you can offer.

Compensation & Benefits

Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including health coverage, retirement benefits, paid sick leave, vacation and holidays, tuition reimbursement and access to professional development resources.

The salary range is one component of the total compensation package for employees.

Pay Range: $119,000 - $125,000 salary per year.

Application Process

Applications will be reviewed as received. In order to be considered, all applications must include a cover letter describing your interest and qualifications and your resume. The position will remain open until filled.

Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors celebrates the uniqueness of our staff, our partners, and the communities we serve. We are committed to inclusion with the goal of cultivating a culture of belonging and acceptance. We strive to embed this value in our philanthropic work to advance a more just, equitable and sustainable world.

RPA is an equal opportunity employer.