Manager - Payroll

Job Description and Responsibilities

Become part of one of the largest and fastest-growing privately held security companies in the U.S! Since 1998,  Sunstates Security  has built a national reputation for delivering exceptional services while fostering high-quality work environments for our team. We are dedicated to hiring, developing, and retaining a professional workforce that reflects our commitment to excellence.

We believe in strategic reinvestment in our people by offering a benefits package that exceeds industry standards, pathways for career advancement, extensive internal training, and employee recognition programs. Our team members are provided with the tools, knowledge, and hands-on management support necessary for long-term success.

Our commitment to a superior workplace culture is reflected in our most recent national accolades. Sunstates Security is proud to be recognized as a  2026 Forbes Dream Employer , an honor based on independent employee feedback and workplace excellence. Additionally, we have been named a  2026 Training MVP   by Training Magazine, marking the third consecutive year we have accepted this prestigious recognition. We also continue to be celebrated for our steady growth and stability on the  Inc. 5000  list of America’s fastest-growing private companies.

At the heart of everything we do are our core values of honor, integrity, and trust. If you are searching for a rewarding career with a proactive security partner that protects some of the country’s leading organizations, we invite you to explore the possibilities at Sunstates Security. Join a successful, growing team where your talent is appreciated and have opportunities to advance your professional career.

Sunstates Security is hiring a Payroll Manager to be based at our corporate headquarters in Raleigh, NC . At Sunstates Security, payroll is not a back-office function. It is a weekly promise to every guard, every officer, and every employee across the country that the work they did will be paid for, accurately and on time. The Payroll Manager owns that promise, leading the team behind weekly payroll for roughly 7,500 employees across multiple states, contracts, and pay rules.

This is a high-volume, high-visibility role built on our core values of Honesty, Integrity, and Trust. If you love running a tight, accurate operation, building a team that catches problems before they reach an employee, and knowing your work directly protects people's livelihoods, this role was built for you.

GENERAL PURPOSE OF JOB

The Payroll Manager leads the day-to-day payroll operations and execution for Sunstates Security, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing for our entire employee population. This position manages the Payroll team, sets daily operational priorities, owns payroll controls and specialized payroll processes, and serves as the primary operational escalation point for payroll matters companywide.

The Payroll Manager executes the payroll strategy, controls, policies, and operating model set by the Director of Payroll & HRIS, and delivers consistent, honest, and dependable payroll across every employee population, contract, state, and jurisdiction we serve.

This position offers a salary of up to $110,000.00 along with competitive benefits including full medical, dental, vision and life insurance coverage, a 401k plan with company match, generous PTO, tuition assistance and more!

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Payroll Operations & Execution

• Own the end-to-end weekly payroll cycle for approximately 7,500 employees, the operational heartbeat of trust between Sunstates and our workforce, including same-day processing when it's needed.

• Ensure payroll is processed accurately and on time across multiple states, jurisdictions, contracts, and employee populations.

• Manage payroll corrections, off-cycle payments, adjustments, final pay, and special payroll transactions.

• Oversee compensation changes, proration, commissions, bonuses, and deductions, and manage updates tied to contract changes, wage determinations, prevailing wage requirements, and employee status changes.

• Set payroll processing priorities, deadlines, and team coverage requirements so every deadline is hit, every week, without exception.

Employee Lifecycle & Compliance

• Manage payroll onboarding and offboarding for salaried and hourly employees, and keep payroll records accurate throughout the employee lifecycle.

• Oversee final pay processing, PTO administration, and statutory payroll requirements in compliance with state-specific rules.

• Manage operational compliance with federal, state, and local payroll requirements, including certified payroll and reporting such as DCAS and WH-347.

• Oversee prevailing wage and wage determination maintenance, and manage union payroll and other complex payroll populations.

• Maintain appropriate payroll tax setup and configuration, and escalate material compliance risks to the Director honestly and early.

Controls, Audits & Accuracy

• Manage payroll control reports, reconciliations, variance analyses, and audits, and review payroll data for accuracy and completeness.

• Establish quality control procedures that catch errors before employees ever see them, and build plans to reduce recurring discrepancies.

• Maintain appropriate payroll system access controls and keep audit documentation ready at any time.

Team Leadership

• Directly manage Payroll Leads, Payroll Specialists, and other assigned team members, including workload, priorities, and coverage.

• Set performance expectations grounded in accuracy, ownership, and integrity, and coach, train, and cross-train the team.

• Conduct performance discussions and provide ongoing, honest feedback, and build team depth to reduce key-person dependencies.

Process Improvement & Partnership

• Identify opportunities to improve payroll accuracy, efficiency, and consistency, and partner with the Director on automation and technology initiatives.

• Participate in system testing, upgrades, and implementations, and keep SOPs and process documentation current.

• Serve as the primary operational payroll partner for HR, Operations, Finance, and Benefits, and support audits, acquisitions, and other initiatives affecting payroll.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

The Payroll Manager is accountable for the daily performance of the Payroll department, owning people, workload, execution, controls, and compliance so the Director can stay focused on enterprise strategy and scalability. Success looks like a payroll operation employees never have to think twice about: paychecks that are right the first time, issues caught before they reach an employee, and a team and Director who trust this leader completely.

Job Requirements

• 7+ years of progressive payroll experience in a multi-state environment; 2+ years of payroll leadership or management experience strongly preferred.

• Experience supporting a large, high-volume hourly workforce, and with certified payroll and prevailing wage requirements, strongly preferred.

• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax, wage and hour, and compliance requirements.

• Experience managing complex payroll scenarios: bonuses, commissions, deductions, final pay, wage determinations, and adjustments.

• Demonstrated experience with payroll controls, reconciliations, audits, and exception reporting.

• Strong leadership, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with strong payroll technology and Excel capabilities.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and strict deadlines in a high-volume environment, with excellent written and verbal communication.

• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive, confidential payroll information with professionalism and discretion.

OUR VALUES, IN THIS ROLE

Honesty means when something is wrong, you find it and fix it, you don't bury it. Integrity means payroll decisions are made by the book, every time, whether anyone is watching or not. Trust means 7,500 employees can count on their pay being right without ever having to ask, and that trust is built one accurate, on-time payroll cycle at a time, by you.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The responsibilities and qualifications above describe the general nature and level of work performed by the Payroll Manager and are not an exhaustive list; responsibilities may be modified based on business needs. Sunstates Security is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Benefits

Industry-leading employee benefits that include weekly pay, 401k savings plan with a company match, affordable medical, dental & vision benefits, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and more – available for qualified candidates!