Payroll Manager

Responsibilities

• Direct the end-to-end processing of multi-state payroll for 5,000+ employees, balancing the nuances of bi-weekly corporate cycles and weekly craft/hourly cycles.
• Provide direct leadership to two Payroll Managers, fostering a culture of professional growth, accountability, and technical precision.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for payroll tax filings, year-end processing (W-2s), and internal audits.

Requirements

• Advanced expertise in enterprise-level HCM/Payroll systems (e.g., Workday, SAP, Oracle) and sophisticated Excel modeling.

Location

McLean, VA Reports To: Payroll Director Direct Reports: 2 Payroll Supervisors Position Overview Clark Construction is seeking a high-caliber Payroll Manager to lead our complex, multi-state payroll operations. This role is pivotal in ensuring the accurate and timely compensation of our most valuable asset: our people. You will oversee two distinct payroll streams—a bi-weekly salaried cycle and a high-volume, weekly craft worker cycle. As a key leader within the Finance/HR pillar, you will manage two direct reports (Payroll Supervisors) and drive process improvements that uphold our reputation for operational excellence.

Compliance & Labor Relations

Ensure strict adherence to federal and state labor laws, tax regulations, and—crucially—union collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) and prevailing wage requirements (Davis-Bacon Act).

Process Optimization

Partner with the Payroll Director to identify and implement "best-in-class" systems and workflows to reduce manual entry and enhance data integrity.

Cross-Functional Partnership

Collaborate with HR, IT, and Legal to ensure seamless integration between timekeeping systems and payroll platforms.

Required Qualifications Experience

7+ years of progressive payroll experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership or people-management capacity.

Industry Knowledge

Previous experience in Construction, Engineering, or Manufacturing is highly preferred. Must have a deep understanding of hourly craft worker payroll.

Complexity Management

Proven ability to manage diverse payroll schedules (weekly vs. bi-weekly) and complex tax jurisdictions.

Education/Certification

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business. CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) designation is a significant plus. The Ideal Candidate "You are someone who thrives in the details but never loses sight of the big picture. You understand that for a craft worker, a weekly paycheck is a matter of trust and livelihood. You are a steady hand for your team and a strategic partner to the Director." Clark offers a total compensation package that includes base salary, bonus potential, and a comprehensive benefits package including health/dental/vision benefits, paid time off, retirement/401k, and Company Contribution plan. Additional benefits include life insurance, commuter benefit, short & long term disability, fitness reimbursement, FSA, tuition reimbursement, back-up daycare, tutoring & family support benefits, EAP/Work-Life assistance, and a holiday contribution program. For this role the base salary range is $65,000 - $170,000. Compensation may vary outside of this range depending on a number of factors, including a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location. Base pay is one part of the Total Compensation Package that is provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work.