Manager, Payroll Systems & Special Projects

POSITION OVERVIEW

Leads payroll systems operations process improvement initiatives operational analytics and special payroll projects to ensure efficient compliant and scalable payroll delivery. Serves as the operational owner for payroll systems support issue prioritization testing coordination and continuous improvement initiatives impacting U.S. and Canadian payroll operations.

Partners closely with Payroll Operations Payroll IT HRIS Finance and external vendors to drive system functionality operational effectiveness compliance and service delivery. Manages payroll-related projects operational enhancements and cross-functional initiatives while providing leadership and technical expertise in complex payroll environments union requirements and evolving business needs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Payroll Systems Support & Functional SME

• Serve as the functional owner and subject matter expert for payroll systems interfaces and operational processes.

• Partner with Payroll IT to prioritize configuration reviews issue resolution system enhancements and operational support activities.
• Ensure payroll system configuration and processes align with operational requirements compliance standards collective bargaining agreements and business needs.
• Establish and maintain operational procedures documentation standards and governance practices supporting payroll system effectiveness.

Payroll Systems Projects & Enhancements

• Lead payroll system implementations upgrades automation initiatives and operational improvement projects.
• Manage project execution timelines resource coordination testing activities risk mitigation and stakeholder communications.
• Lead cross-functional efforts to identify and implement process efficiencies automation opportunities and operational improvements.
• Develop and execute project plans operational roadmaps and implementation strategies supporting payroll objectives.

Operational Support & Issue Resolution

• Lead resolution of complex payroll system interface and operational issues impacting payroll delivery.
• Research and analyze payroll discrepancies system defects and operational escalations.
• Partner with Payroll Operations and IT leadership to identify root causes establish corrective actions and implement sustainable solutions.
• Prioritize operational issues and enhancement requests to balance compliance business needs and payroll service delivery requirements.

Testing Data Integrity & Change Management

• Oversee payroll testing activities including UAT regression testing parallel testing and implementation readiness assessments.
• Validate payroll data integrity and audit controls related to system changes.
• Lead change management activities stakeholder communications and operational readiness efforts related to system updates and process changes.
• Establish testing standards and validation procedures to ensure payroll accuracy and regulatory compliance.

Reporting Analytics & Process Optimization

• Analyze payroll system and operational data to identify trends operational risks compliance concerns and improvement opportunities.
• Develop operational reporting dashboards performance metrics and business insights to support leadership decision-making and operational planning.
• Lead initiatives focused on automation standardization operational efficiency and service delivery improvements.
• Manage audit support activities compliance reporting requirements and operational analysis initiatives.
• Recommend and implement enhancements to payroll systems procedures operational controls and workflow standards to improve efficiency compliance and scalability.

Leadership & Team Development

• Provide day-to-day leadership coaching and work prioritization for payroll systems support resources and project team members.
• Support employee development performance management and knowledge-sharing initiatives within the Payroll organization.
• Coordinate work across internal resources external vendors and project teams to ensure successful execution of payroll initiatives.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement accountability and customer service.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education Specialized Knowledge and Skills

• Experience supporting payroll systems in complex multi-jurisdiction payroll environments
• Knowledge of payroll operations payroll compliance and payroll processing workflows
• Experience with payroll system implementations upgrades testing and integrations
• Strong analytical troubleshooting and problem-solving capabilities
• Experience with payroll reporting operational analytics and process improvement initiatives
• Ability to manage multiple projects and operational priorities simultaneously
• Strong partnership and communication skills across Payroll HR IT Finance and vendor teams
• Experience supporting union payroll environments and complex pay rules preferred
• Knowledge of payroll platforms such as UKG Pro Workday SAP Dayforce or Infor preferred

Required Experience:

• 5 years of U.S. payroll experience including multi-state processing.
• 5 year of Canadian payroll experience
• 5 years of data analytics and reporting
• 3 years of project coordination or project management
• 3 years of team leadership and people management

Preferred

• 7 years of U.S. and Canadian payroll experience including multi-state / multi-province processing
• Project management experience and/or PMP
• Entertainment industry experience and understanding on highly unionized organizations with complex collective bargaining agreements (CBA)
• 5-7 years experience with UKG Pro
• 5 years experience with Infor WFM
• 5 years experience with Workday

What You Bring

• A proactive solution-oriented mindset with a passion for process excellence.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative approach to coaching and leadership.
• A commitment to continuous learning and developmentfor yourself and others.

Sony Pictures Entertainment is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race color religion sex national origin disability veteran status age sexual orientation gender identity or other protected characteristics.

SPE will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in accordance with applicable law.

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