Payroll Manager

We are looking for an accomplished Payroll Manager to oversee a high-volume, highly regulated payroll operation supporting a diverse hourly workforce in Waukesha, Wisconsin. This Long-term Contract position is ideal for a leader who brings deep experience with union payroll, prevailing wage requirements, and multi-state compliance in skilled trades or construction environments. The role will guide payroll strategy and day-to-day execution, strengthen processes for growth, and partner across teams to build a scalable and reliable payroll function.

Responsibilities:
• Direct weekly payroll operations for hourly employees across multiple business entities, ensuring every payroll cycle is completed accurately, on schedule, and in compliance with applicable regulations.
• Lead and develop a payroll team, setting priorities, improving accountability, and creating efficient workflows that support a complex union and non-union workforce.
• Oversee payroll administration tied to numerous collective bargaining agreements, including proper handling of union deductions, fringe benefit calculations, and required reporting.
• Manage multi-state payroll compliance, including prevailing wage obligations and labor-related reporting requirements associated with construction and skilled trades employees.
• Review and strengthen payroll procedures, controls, and documentation to improve accuracy, reduce risk, and support long-term operational scalability.
• Serve as the primary owner of the payroll technology environment, helping optimize system performance, resolve process gaps, and support future enhancements or implementations.
• Partner with HR, finance, operations, and compliance stakeholders to address payroll issues, interpret labor requirements, and align payroll practices with business needs.
• Support organizational growth initiatives by contributing payroll expertise to acquisitions, onboarding of new entities, and expansion into additional geographic markets.

Qualifications:

• Proven experience managing full-cycle payroll in a high-volume environment, including payroll populations exceeding 500 employees.
• Strong background in union payroll administration, including work with multiple labor agreements, fringe benefits, and union-related compliance obligations.
• Hands-on experience processing payroll across multiple states, with a solid understanding of state-specific wage and tax requirements.
• Knowledge of prevailing wage rules and labor compliance practices commonly found in construction, civil, industrial, or other skilled trades settings.
• Prior leadership experience overseeing payroll staff and driving process improvements within a complex operational environment.
• Familiarity with payroll systems such as CMiC, Workday, or comparable platforms used to support large-scale payroll operations.
• Ability to work effectively with field-based and operations-focused teams in a practical, fast-paced, and less formal workplace culture.

Compensation

$51.46-$59.59 Hourly

About Us

Robert Half is the world’s first and largest specialized talent solutions firm that connects highly qualified job seekers to opportunities at great companies. We offer contract, temporary and permanent placement solutions for finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support roles.

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All applicants applying for U.S. job openings must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Benefits are available to contract/temporary professionals, including medical, vision, dental, and life and disability insurance. Hired contract/temporary professionals are also eligible to enroll in our company 401(k) plan. Visit roberthalf.gobenefits.net for more information.

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