Manager- US Payroll

IBM is seeking an experienced Payroll Delivery Manager to lead large-scale US Payroll operations supporting enterprise clients. This role requires a strong operational leader with deep expertise in end-to-end US Payroll processing, payroll compliance, taxation, year-end activities, payroll controls, and team leadership. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing payroll delivery, leading a team of payroll professionals, driving operational excellence, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations, managing client stakeholders, and maintaining service levels within a high-performance delivery environment.

This is a hands-on leadership role requiring both deep payroll domain expertise and proven people management capabilities. Key Responsibilities Payroll Operations Leadership Lead end-to-end US Payroll operations for large enterprise clients. Manage payroll processing across weekly, bi-weekly, and off-cycle payroll runs. Ensure payroll accuracy, timeliness, compliance, and adherence to service level commitments. Drive payroll governance, operational controls, and risk management practices.

Manage payroll escalations and complex payroll issues through resolution. Lead year-end payroll activities including W-2 processing, corrections, amendments, and compliance reporting. Oversee payroll reconciliations and audit readiness activities. Compliance & Taxation Maintain deep understanding of US Federal, State, and Local payroll tax regulations. Manage employee and employer tax processes. Ensure compliance with wage and hour regulations, tax requirements, garnishments, and payroll reporting obligations.

Partner with internal and external stakeholders to address tax and compliance-related issues. Team Leadership Lead and develop a team of 10–15+ payroll practitioners. Drive performance management, coaching, mentoring, and capability development. Build a culture of accountability, quality, and operational excellence. Support workforce planning, hiring, onboarding, and resource management activities. Client & Stakeholder Management Serve as a key point of contact for client payroll stakeholders.

Lead operational reviews, governance discussions, and issue resolution meetings. Build trusted relationships with client teams and internal leadership. Provide insights and recommendations to improve payroll performance and efficiency. Operational Excellence & Transformation Identify opportunities for process improvements, automation, and operational efficiencies. Support payroll transformation initiatives and system enhancements.

Drive continuous improvement and best practice adoption across payroll operations. Lead payroll teams through periods of operational change, growth, and stabilization. Payroll Domain Expertise 10+ years of end-to-end US Payroll experience. Experience managing payroll operations for 10,000+ employees. Experience processing payroll across multiple US states, including complex jurisdictions such as California, New York, and Hawaii.

Strong expertise in: Weekly Payroll Processing Bi-Weekly Payroll Processing Off-Cycle Payroll Processing US Payroll Compliance Payroll Controls and Reconciliations Payroll Audits Payroll Reporting Tax & Compliance Expertise Deep understanding of: Federal Payroll Taxes State Payroll Taxes Local Payroll Taxes Employee Taxation Employer Taxation Experience with: W-2 Processing W-2 Corrections Year-End Payroll Activities Tax Adjustments and Amendments US Garnishments Payroll Systems Expertise Hands-on operational experience with one or more of the following: Workday Payroll SAP SuccessFactors Payroll ADP Payroll Platforms Additional experience required: Workday EIBs Pre-Payroll Reporting Post-Payroll Reporting Payroll Data Validation and Reconciliation Leadership Experience Minimum 5 years of people leadership experience.

Proven experience managing teams of 10–15+ payroll professionals. Experience managing delivery in a Global Delivery Model environment. Strong stakeholder management and client-facing experience. Experience supporting Fortune 500 organizations. Experience in payroll transformation or payroll modernization programs. Experience leading payroll operations through periods of rapid growth, organizational change, or operational stabilization.

Knowledge of payroll automation and process optimization practices. Prior experience within IBM, ADP, Alight, Accenture, Cognizant, Capgemini, Genpact, Infosys, TCS, Wipro, Concentrix, Sutherland, or similar large-scale payroll delivery organizations. Critical Success Factors The ideal candidate will demonstrate: Strong critical thinking and decision-making skills. Ability to manage complex payroll operations with minimal oversight.

Exceptional attention to detail and risk management mindset. Strong communication and executive stakeholder management skills. Proven ability to lead teams in high-accountability environments. Ability to balance operational delivery, people leadership, and client satisfaction. Strong ownership mindset and bias toward action. Important Screening Criteria Candidates should not be considered if they: Do not possess end-to-end US Payroll experience.

Have experience limited to India Payroll or non-US payroll operations. Lack multi-state US Payroll experience. Have not managed payroll teams. Are unable to relocate to Bangalore. Are unable to work US shift hours (7:00 PM – 4:00 AM IST). India Enterprise Operations Professional Bangalore, IN (0063) IBM India Private Limited