Payroll Manager

The Payroll Manager leads the payroll team for a New York civil construction project and is responsible for accurate, compliant union payroll from timecard through year end. This role oversees weekly payroll processing, quarterly payroll tax filings, and W-2 preparation, ensuring compliance with New York labor law, collective bargaining agreements, prevailing wage, and certified payroll requirements. The position partners closely with the Corporate Payroll Manager and project leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, train, and supervise the project payroll team, assigning work and reviewing output for accuracy
• Serve as the primary payroll contact for project staff, field supervisors, and union representatives
• Oversee weekly union payroll for the project from timecard collection through final processing
• Ensure compliance with New York labor law, union agreements, prevailing wage (NYS Labor Law Article 8), and certified payroll requirements
• Prepare and file yearly and quarterly federal and state payroll tax returns, including Forms 940, 941, NYS-45, and MTA-305, and reconcile tax liabilities
• Prepare, review, and distribute annual W-2s
• Manage New York specific withholdings, including NYC and Yonkers local taxes, Paid Family Leave, and Disability Benefits
• Prepare union benefit and fringe reports and remit contributions to union funds
• Maintain union pay rates, fringes, deductions, and annual rate updates
• Reconcile payroll to the general ledger
• Manage payroll related onboarding, including new hire packets and I-9 employment verification
• Coordinate employee layoffs and separations in accordance with union requirements and New York final pay rules
• Support payroll, tax, and union audits
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Required

• 10 plus years of payroll experience in civil or heavy construction, including 2 plus years supervising payroll staff
• Experience preparing quarterly payroll tax filings and W-2
• Working knowledge of New York union payroll, prevailing wage, and certified payroll
• Experience with union benefit reporting and fund remittances
• Strong attention to detail and ability to meet weekly payroll deadlines

Preferred

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field
• Experience with New York public works projects
• Experience with OCIP reporting
• Experience supporting payroll, tax, or union audits
• Advanced Excel skills