Payroll & HR Manager

Remote - Payroll & HR Manager

Interim Contract | 6+ Months

Engagement Details

• Type of Engagement: Interim Contract (W2)
• Duration: Minimum 6 months, with potential to go longer or possibly convert to full-time permanent employment depending on 2026 business needs
• Location: Fully Remote
• Start Date: Immediate
• Reporting To: Chief Legal & HR Officer
• Team Structure: Part of a lean global HR team; supporting North and South America as primary payroll operations resource

About the Role

Our Chicago-based client is seeking an experienced Payroll & HR Manager to step into a critical interim role during a pivotal period of business transformation. This is a high-impact opportunity to own the full payroll operations function across the United States and Latin America.

This is a hands-on, startup-minded role — you will be the primary payroll point of contact ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time, benefits payments are administered correctly, and the company remains compliant across 20 US states and CALA markets (Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, and Brazil).

The ideal candidate is someone who thrives in ambiguity, moves quickly, and takes pride in getting the details right.

What You'll Do

Payroll Processing & Administration

• Own end-to-end payroll processing for both hourly and salaried US employees across 20 states, including setup of payroll codes, running payroll registers, and ensuring accuracy on every cycle.
• Manage CALA payroll operations in coordination with regional partners covering Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, and Brazil.
• The global team has approximately 500 employees and 140-150 US-based employees.
• Set up and maintain payroll codes, deductions, and adjustments within ADP Workforce Now.
• Review and audit payroll registers prior to each processing cycle to identify and correct discrepancies.
• Serve as the primary point of escalation for employee payroll inquiries, including 401(k) contribution questions and tax withholding changes.

Benefits Support

• Monitor how benefit elections and changes affect payroll deductions and proactively address discrepancies.
• Manage ongoing benefit changes with accuracy and a strong employee experience lens.
• Coordinate required benefit-related tax filings and compliance reporting.

Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure compliance with multi-state payroll tax laws across 20 US states, staying current on regulatory changes that impact payroll and benefits.
• Prepare and run payroll, HR, and benefits-related reports using ADP Workforce Now and Oracle HRIS.
• Support tax filing processes and ensure timely submission of all required payroll tax documents.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation across all payroll and HR systems.

HR Operations

• Function as the secondary HR operations resource supporting North and South America, working cross-functionally with HR counterparts in the UK.
• Assist with HR reporting, data integrity, and ad hoc projects as needed during the transition period.
• Guide employees on payroll-related questions in a responsive, clear manner.

What You Bring

Required Qualifications

• 7-10+ years of demonstrated, hands-on payroll processing experience — including setting up payroll codes, processing full payroll cycles, and reviewing payroll registers.
• Strong working knowledge of benefits administration and the downstream impact of benefit changes on payroll.
• Experience managing payroll and HR compliance across multiple US states (including Illinois and California).
• Prior experience supporting employees across multiple locations or sites.
• Proficiency with ADP Workforce Now for payroll processing.

Preferred Qualifications

• Spanish proficiency (spoken and written) to support CALA operations in Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina.
• Background in manufacturing or other multi-site industries where payroll complexity is high.
• Experience with Oracle HRIS for reporting and employee data management.
• Familiarity with CALA payroll regulations and international HR practices.