Contract Payroll Manager (Workday) at Saronic Technologies in Austin, TX

Job description

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 Opera