Contract Payroll Manager (Workday)

Saronic Technologies is a leader in revolutionizing autonomy at sea, dedicated to developing state-of-the-art solutions that enhance maritime operations through autonomous and intelligent platforms. POSITION SUMMARY Saronic Technologies is seeking an experienced Contract Payroll Manager to lead payroll operations during a period of rapid company growth. This role owns end-to-end payroll processing in Workday, ensures compliance with multi-state and federal payroll regulations, and partners closely with People, Finance, and Legal to keep payroll accurate, timely, and audit-ready. This is a fixed-term contract engagement suited to a hands-on payroll leader who can step in immediately and run payroll independently. Key Responsibilities - Own and manage end-to-end multi-state payroll processing in Workday for all employee types, including biweekly or semi-monthly cycles, off-cycle payments, and final pay - Configure, maintain, and troubleshoot Workday payroll modules, including earnings/deduction codes, tax setups, retro pay, and integrations with time tracking and benefits systems - Ensure accurate calculation and timely remittance of federal, state, and local payroll taxes, and manage tax filings across all applicable jurisdictions - Lead payroll compliance efforts, including wage and hour law, FLSA classification, garnishments, and multi-state registration requirements - Partner with People, Finance, Total Rewards, and Legal teams on payroll-related matters, including new hires, terminations, leaves of absence, equity/bonus payouts, and benefits deductions - Manage and reconcile payroll general ledger entries, working closely with Accounting to support month-end close and payroll accruals - Prepare and review payroll reports, audits, and analytics for internal stakeholders and external auditors - Serve as the primary point of escalation for payroll discrepancies, employee inquiries, and system issues - Drive process improvements and Workday payroll optimizations to increase efficiency and reduce manual work - Maintain SOX-compliant payroll controls and documentation, supporting internal and external audit requests - Stay current on federal, state, and local payroll law changes and ensure timely implementation of required updates Required Qualifications - 7+ years of progressive payroll experience, including at least 3 years in a payroll management or lead role - Deep, hands-on experience running payroll in Workday, including configuration, troubleshooting, and reporting - Proven track record owning multi-state payroll for a company of 500+ employees - Strong working knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax law, wage and hour regulations, and FLSA requirements - Experience partnering cross-functionally with People, Finance, and Legal teams on payroll matters - Experience supporting SOX controls, internal audits, or external payroll audits - Demonstrated ability to manage payroll independently with minimal onboarding ramp time - Advanced Excel/spreadsheet skills and strong attention to detail with high-volume, time-sensitive data - Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain payroll matters clearly to employees and leadership - Ability to maintain strict confidentiality when handling sensitive compensation and personal data Preferred Qualifications - Prior experience in a fast-growing, venture-backed, manufacturing, defense, or hardware technology company - Experience with Workday reporting tools (e.g., custom reports, calculated fields) beyond standard configuration - Experience with equity compensation payroll treatment (RSUs, stock options) and multi-entity or multi-country payroll - Experience implementing or migrating payroll systems onto Workday Contract Details & Location - Engagement type: Fixed-term contract (duration to be confirmed based on business need) - Location: Open to on-site, hybrid, or remote depending on candidate location and business needs - Reports to: Director of Accounting Operations - Start: As soon as possible Saronic CCPA Notice for Candidates and California Employees https://saronic-assets-public.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/Saronic%20CCPA%20Notice%20for%20Candidates%20and%20California%20Employees.pdf If this role is based in the United States, it requires access to export-controlled information or items that require “U.S. Person” status. As defined by U.S. law, individuals who are any one of the following are considered to be a “U.S. Person”: (1) U.S. citizens, (2) legal permanent residents (a.k.a. green card holders), and (3) certain protected classes of asylees and refugees, as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/8/1324b. Saronic does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.