The Payroll Manager is proactive, analytical, and upholds a service-approach to enhance the payroll function. The Payroll Manager is responsible for overseeing the accurate and timely processing of the YMCA's payroll operations while ensuring full compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations. This role works closely with the Payroll Director and leads a team of payroll staff, providing direction, training, and performance management to ensure operational excellence. The Payroll Manager plays a critical role in driving process improvements, managing payroll related projects, and supporting system upgrades and audits. By leveraging strong leadership and project management skills, this position ensures payroll functions are executed efficiently and effectively, contributing to the YMCA's overall financial health and employee satisfaction.

For information on Y Employee Perks, click on this link: Employee Benefits | YMCA of San Diego County (ymcasd.org)

Work environment: In-person location at the Association Office 

• Supervises the YMCA’s payroll staff, including Payroll Administrators, Payroll Assistants, Payroll Analysts, and Payroll Clerk to assign responsibilities, ensuring staff has the appropriate resources to perform assigned duties
• Lead the training and continuous development of payroll staff, ensuring comprehensive understanding and adhering to payroll policies, procedures, and systems
• Oversee team performance establishing and tracking key, performance indicators, to evaluate progress towards payroll goals, and identify opportunities for improvement
• Serve as the primary point of escalation for complex or high-priority payroll queries, providing resolution and support with a focus on service excellence
• Ensure the accuracy of payroll information through review, audit, and analysis of employee timesheets, payroll records, and reports
• Validate payroll process to guarantee timely and accurate execution is in full compliance with federal, state and local regulations, including wage garnishments, taxes, and other deductions
• Delivers responsive and effective payroll-related customer service to both internal stakeholders and external partners, addressing questions and resolving issues with professionalism
• Prepares and distributes payroll reports, financial summaries, and analytical insights to senior management as needed to support strategic decision-making
• Identifies opportunities to enhance payroll systems and procedures to improve accuracy, efficiency, and user experience
• Assists in the implementation of payroll system upgrades, enhancements, and process improvements to streamline operations and enhance efficiency
• Provides coverage for Payroll Administrators as needed, ensuring continuity of payroll operations during absences from staff
• Maintains the confidentiality of all employee information and payroll records, ensuring all employee records is handled with discretion and integrity
• Manages internal and external payroll audits by coordinating documentation and supporting information as needed
• Deep understanding of payroll systems, practices, and compliance requirements, including federal, state, and local laws related to wages, taxes, deductions, and reporting
• Proficient computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite (emphasis on Excel, Word, and Outlook)
• Working knowledge of UKG Pro/Ready, ADP preferred, or other HCM systems
• Proven success in leading a team to meet rigorous deadlines, following established processes, and ability to evaluate processes for inefficiencies
• High skill level in organization, planning, communications, and implementation of administrative procedures
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills, including a proven ability to tactfully collaborate on challenging issues
• Demonstrates the ability to analyze complex payroll data, identifying discrepancies, and implementing solutions
• Must have strong analytical skills, specifically in organizational processes, to assess efficiencies and compliance with policies and procedures and be able to recommend and implement changes when necessary
• Able to work independently and manage multiple priorities
• Strong ability to lead, mentor, and manage payroll staff. This includes delegating effectively, fostering a collaborative team environment, and ensuring accountability and high performance
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and work with confidential data professionally
• Demonstrate initiative, resourcefulness, and problem-solving skills
• Other duties as assigned

• Bachelor’s degree with major course work in Finance, Accounting, Business or related field, and experience
• 5+ years' of payroll experience with 3+ years' of those years in a supervisory experience or lead capacity required
• Fundamentals of Payroll Certification (FPC) required
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) preferred
• Licensing, state law and our government funders require that staff within YMCA of San Diego County be fingerprinted, prior to reporting to work, and include subsequent arrest notifications 
• CPR/AED, and First Aid Certification, must include Adult and Child/Infant, obtained within 30 days of hire and must be from one of the following certifying organizations:
  • • American Red Cross
    • American Heart Association
    • American Safety & Health Institute 

YMCA will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the San Diego County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if the YMCA is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Ordinance by visiting the San Diego County Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement.