Payroll Manager

Vaco
$125,000.00 - $150,000.00 / yr
United States, Connecticut, Torrington
Mar 02, 2026
Payroll ManagerOur client is a well-established and growing organization within the engineering industry, known for its commitment to operational excellence and for investing in its people through outstanding benefits and a supportive workplace culture. They are seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to lead payroll operations while partnering closely with HR and project teams to ensure accuracy, compliance, and exceptional employee service.This role is ideal for a payroll professional who values being part of an organization that truly gives back to its employees. Key Responsibilities: Own end-to-end execution of weekly, multi-jurisdiction payroll cycles. Reconcile payroll-related accounts and drive timely resolution of variances. Coordinate accurate feed of payroll inputs into job-costing, including labor burden, equipment allocations, and related costing logic. Handle monthly union benefit reporting and submission requirements. Compile and submit Certified Payroll packages, ensuring adherence to prevailing wage (Davis-Bacon) and public-sector standards. Direct quarterly and year-end activities, including payroll tax filings, W-2 delivery, multi-state setup, and reconciliations. Monitor and maintain compliance with applicable federal/state/local requirements and labor agreements (including CBAs). Keep documentation audit-ready and act as the key point of contact for internal/external audit requests. Design and reinforce payroll control practices that reduce risk and safeguard data accuracy. Assess payroll tools and workflows; lead system enhancements and technology upgrades as needed. Analyze payroll, benefits, and tax processes and implement improvements aligned to best practices. Collaborate with Finance on general-ledger tie-outs and support accurate payroll-related financial reporting. Lead and grow a capable payroll team through coaching, structure, and clear expectations. Hire, onboard, train, and performance-manage staff to defined service and accuracy standards. Define and track KPIs around quality, cycle times, and service responsiveness. Promote a customer-focused, collaborative team environment with high professional standards. Work closely with HR, Finance, Operations, and Project teams to ensure clean, timely payroll data handoffs. Brief leaders on compliance exposure and propose practical corrective actions. Assist with employee lifecycle transactions (onboarding/offboarding) to maintain compliance and payroll accuracy. Maintain payroll SOPs/policies and drive consistent application across the organization. Protect sensitive payroll operations through strong confidentiality standards and data security practices. Stay current through ongoing training and participation in relevant industry networks. Oversee third-party providers supporting payroll, tax, benefits, and related activities. Vaco by Highspring values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. EEO Notice Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law. Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact HR@vaco.com . Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal. By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. You also agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal. Privacy Notice Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies. California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here. Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here. Residents of all other states may access our policies here. Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here. Residents of countries governed by GDPR may access our policies here. Pay Transparency Notice Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to: the individual's skill sets, experience and training; licensure and certification requirements; office location and other geographic considerations; other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.