Payroll Manager

Saber Power Services, a portfolio company of Greenbelt Capital Partners, is a fully integrated electrical power system services firm providing end-to-end solutions across utility, renewables and battery storage, industrial, petrochemical, and other markets. Based in Houston, Texas, Saber Power offers deep subject matter expertise and uses an engineering-led approach to designing, installing, testing, and maintaining medium and high-voltage electrical infrastructure. Saber serves clients locally, nationally, and abroad.

Saber Power Services seeks an experienced Payroll Manager to lead and continuously improve our payroll function. This role is responsible for the accuracy, integrity, and effective operation of payroll for a large, growing, multi-state workforce. The Payroll Manager will lead and develop the Payroll team, serve as the organization's payroll and ADP Workforce Now subject matter expert, and partner closely with the Controller, HR, and other stakeholders to strengthen processes, controls, and systems.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Controller, the Payroll Manager provides leadership and functional ownership of payroll for Saber's multi-state, multi-entity workforce. This position is accountable for ensuring payroll is accurate, timely, compliant, and supported by effective controls while building a capable team that can independently execute routine payroll activities.

The Payroll Manager will provide oversight, approvals, coaching, and resolution of complex payroll matters rather than serving as the primary payroll processor. As the organization's payroll systems expert, this position will identify opportunities to better leverage ADP Workforce Now and related technology to simplify processes, reduce manual work, and support Saber's continued growth.

The Payroll Manager works closely with the Controller and HR to evaluate and implement payroll-related process and system improvements while maintaining appropriate alignment with accounting requirements, employee programs, and organizational policies.

This position is based full-time on-site in the Clear Lake area of Houston, Texas, with minimal travel expected.

Summary of Key Responsibilities

Provide overall leadership and functional ownership of the payroll process, ensuring accurate and timely payroll for a large, growing workforce across multiple states and legal entities.

Lead, develop, and hold accountable the Payroll team, establishing clear responsibilities and building team capability to independently execute routine payroll activities.

Lead payroll-related compliance, reporting, and audit activities, including the annual 401(k) audit, workers’ compensation and other insurance audits, certified payroll reporting, and monthly OCIP reporting.

Establish appropriate review, approval, escalation, and quality-control processes that maintain payroll accuracy without creating unnecessary dependence on the Payroll Manager.

Provide oversight of payroll cycles, reviewing results, approving payroll as appropriate, and resolving complex exceptions or escalated issues.

Serve as the organization's payroll subject matter expert, providing guidance on complex pay practices, multi-state payroll requirements, taxation, deductions, garnishments, and other payroll matters.

Serve as a functional expert for ADP Workforce Now, ensuring effective use of payroll and timekeeping capabilities and identifying opportunities to reduce manual processes, duplicate work, and unnecessary administrative effort.

Own continuous improvement of payroll processes and controls. Partner with the Controller, HR, and other stakeholders to evaluate and implement changes affecting accounting, employee programs, systems, or organizational processes.

Oversee the integrity and reconciliation of payroll-related accounting and job-cost data, ensuring labor costs are accurately captured, allocated, and transferred from payroll into Microsoft Business Central. Partner with Accounting and Operations to identify and resolve payroll, general ledger, and job-costing discrepancies.

Maintain effective payroll controls and documentation and ensure payroll records and processes are prepared to support financial, benefit plan, insurance, and other applicable audits.

Monitor payroll practices for compliance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements across the company's multi-state workforce and coordinate resolution of complex compliance matters as necessary.

Build scalable payroll procedures, documentation, cross-training, and team practices that support continued organizational growth and appropriate coverage within the department.

Partner effectively with HR, Accounting, Operations, and other functions to resolve payroll issues while maintaining clear ownership and accountability between departments.

Stay current on payroll regulations, technology capabilities, and relevant practices and assess their implications for Saber.

Perform other job-related duties as requested by management.

Experience & Education Required

• A bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business, human resources, or a related field is preferred; equivalent combinations of education, training, and significant relevant payroll leadership experience will be considered.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing a payroll team, including delegating work, establishing accountability, coaching employees, reviewing results, and developing team capability.
• Demonstrated responsibility for a complex, multi-state payroll function involving a sizable hourly or field-based workforce and multiple pay practices.
• Advanced working knowledge of ADP Workforce Now, including payroll and timekeeping functionality, with the ability to optimize system capabilities, troubleshoot complex issues, and identify opportunities to reduce manual processes.
• Strong knowledge of payroll practices and applicable federal, state, and local payroll and tax requirements.
• Demonstrated understanding of payroll accounting, reconciliations, general ledger activity, and payroll interfaces with accounting or ERP systems.
• Experience establishing and maintaining effective payroll processes, controls, documentation, and review procedures.
• Strong people leadership, communication, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to work effectively across Payroll, Accounting, HR, Operations, and other functions while maintaining appropriate confidentiality and judgment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.

Preferred Skills

• Payroll leadership experience within construction, field services, utilities, energy, industrial services, manufacturing, or another environment with a complex hourly workforce.
• Experience supporting payroll involving varied pay practices such as per diem, travel time, report time, job-based labor, or other field-workforce compensation practices.
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, particularly payroll-to-general-ledger or related accounting integrations.
• Experience implementing, upgrading, or optimizing payroll and timekeeping systems.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification.
• Experience supporting a growing organization where payroll processes and team capabilities have needed to scale with the business.

Safety

Safety is a Core Value with our organization. We work SAFELY or not at all.

Benefits

We offer an excellent benefits package designed to support your health, well-being, and financial future. Our Total Rewards Plan includes a choice of two comprehensive medical plans, dental and vision coverage, and company-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance. We also provide company-paid basic life insurance for employees and their dependents. Additional benefits include a 401(k) plan with company matching, flexible spending accounts (FSAs), and more. Beyond our benefits, we pride ourselves on fostering an outstanding work environment where employees feel valued and supported.

Saber Power Services is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.