Payroll Lead

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 Lead 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.

The Payroll Lead coordinates and actively supports the day-to-day execution of payroll operations for Sunstates Security, helping ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing for our employee population. This position serves as the senior technical resource and first level of escalation for Payroll Specialists, coordinates daily workflow, reviews complex payroll transactions and control reports, and provides operational coverage for the Payroll Manager.

The Payroll Lead works within the payroll strategy, controls, policies, priorities, and operating model established by Payroll Management. This is a senior individual contributor and operational leadership role; while the position may not have formal direct-report responsibility, it is expected to provide technical leadership, training, quality review, and day-to-day guidance to Payroll Specialists. This position offers a salary of up to $90,000 along with a full benefits package.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Payroll Operations & Execution

• Coordinate and actively participate in the end-to-end weekly payroll cycle for approximately 7,500 employees, including same-day processing when needed.

• Review payroll transactions for accuracy and completeness and help ensure payroll is processed accurately and on time across multiple states, jurisdictions, contracts, and employee populations.

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

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

• Coordinate daily payroll workflow, monitor deadlines, assist with workload distribution, and provide coverage for critical payroll processes during absences or periods of increased volume.

Employee Lifecycle & Compliance

• Review payroll onboarding, employee payroll setup, and payroll-related employee changes for accuracy throughout the employee lifecycle.

• Review final pay requirements and assist with ensuring payments are processed within applicable state deadlines; support PTO administration and statutory payroll requirements.

• Support multi-state payroll compliance, including certified payroll and reporting such as DCAS, WH-347, and other contractual reporting.

• Review and maintain prevailing wage and wage determination information, and support union payroll and other complex payroll populations.

• Assist with payroll tax setup and employee tax-related issues as needed, and escalate significant compliance concerns or payroll risks to Payroll Management.

Controls, Audits & Accuracy

• Review payroll control reports, reconciliations, variance analyses, exception reports, and payroll data for accuracy and completeness.

• Identify payroll and timekeeping discrepancies, coordinate corrections with Operations and other departments, and help ensure established controls are consistently followed.

• Identify recurring errors, trends, or process gaps and recommend improvements that strengthen accuracy and reduce repeat issues.

• Assist with payroll reconciliations, validation of payroll master data, audit support, and payroll-related information requests.

Team Leadership & Workflow Coordination

• Serve as the senior technical resource and first point of escalation for Payroll Specialists, researching and resolving complex payroll issues and escalated inquiries.

• Coordinate daily workflow and assist with workload distribution, priorities, and coverage based on direction from the Payroll Manager.

• Review work completed by Payroll Specialists when appropriate and provide quality feedback to help catch errors before payroll close.

• Train, guide, and cross-train Payroll team members; reinforce consistent application of established payroll procedures, processes, and controls.

• Provide operational coverage for the Payroll Manager when needed, including helping coordinate payroll execution and escalating material issues appropriately.

• Assist with maintaining SOPs, payroll procedures, and process documentation and help reduce key-person dependencies across the team.

Process Improvement & Partnership

• Identify opportunities to improve payroll accuracy, efficiency, consistency, and team effectiveness and bring recommendations to Payroll Management.

• Participate in payroll system testing, upgrades, implementations, automation efforts, and process improvements.

• Partner with Operations, Human Resources, Finance, Benefits, and other departments to resolve payroll issues and communicate payroll requirements and deadlines.

• Support audits, acquisitions, special projects, and other initiatives affecting payroll.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

The Payroll Lead helps keep the daily payroll operation organized, accurate, and moving forward. Success means Specialists have a knowledgeable first point of escalation, deadlines are actively coordinated, complex transactions and control reports receive an additional level of review, coverage is available when needed, and issues are identified and escalated before they affect employees. The Lead strengthens the team without replacing the Payroll Manager’s accountability for people management, department performance, controls, and compliance.

Job Requirements

5+ years of progressive payroll experience, preferably in a large, high-volume, multi-state environment.

• Strong working knowledge of payroll processing, timekeeping, deductions, final pay, payroll adjustments, wage and hour requirements, and multi-state payroll.

• Experience with certified payroll, prevailing wage, union payroll, or complex hourly payroll environments strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to independently research and resolve complex payroll issues and serve as a technical resource to other team members.

• Experience reviewing payroll controls, reconciliations, variance or exception reporting, and payroll data for accuracy.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, advanced attention to detail, and strong payroll technology and Excel capabilities.

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

• Demonstrated ability to train, guide, and support payroll team members while maintaining sensitive and confidential information with professionalism and discretion.

OUR VALUES, IN THIS ROLE

Honesty means when something is wrong, you surface it and help get it corrected. Integrity means payroll work is reviewed carefully and established processes are followed every time. Trust means the Payroll team can rely on this Lead for sound technical guidance, dependable coverage, and consistent follow-through—and 7,500 employees can continue to count on accurate, on-time pay.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The responsibilities and qualifications above describe the general nature and level of work performed by the Payroll Lead 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!