Payroll Operations Manager

Payroll & Compensation Manager or Payroll Operations Manager
Industry: Automotive Retail / Dealership Group
Join a Growing Automotive Group as Our Payroll & Compensation Manager
We are seeking an experienced, detail-oriented Payroll & Compensation Manager to lead payroll operations for a multi-location automotive dealership group. This role is responsible for ensuring accurate and compliant payroll processing across seven dealership locations, including both commissioned and union employees.
The ideal candidate will possess strong payroll expertise, a solid understanding of dealership operations, automotive financial statements, compensation structures, and performance-based pay plans. This position partners closely with executive leadership, department managers, accounting teams, Human Resources and the CFO to ensure payroll accuracy, compliance, and operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Collaboration
Directly supervise, mentor, and develop payroll team members responsible for payroll administration across multiple dealership locations.
Establish performance expectations, provide coaching, conduct performance reviews, and support employee development.
Ensure consistency, accuracy, and compliance across all payroll processes and locations.
Oversee workload distribution, training, cross-training, and succession planning within the payroll department.
Serve as the primary escalation point for complex payroll, compensation, and compliance matters.
Partner with Human Resources, Accounting, Operations, General Managers, and executive leadership to support organizational objectives.
Communicate effectively with employees, managers, executives, and the CFO regarding payroll, compensation, and pay plan administration.
Identify opportunities for process improvements, automation, and operational efficiencies.
Manage Payroll Administration & Compliance
Manage end-to-end payroll processing for multiple dealership locations.
Ensure timely and accurate payr...