Manager Payroll 3

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: None

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time Description

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Manager of Payroll 3 in its Irving, Texas location. This role will require an in-office location of Irving, Texas and will not allow for a full-time telecommuting arrangement.

Roles and Responsibilities

Lead end‑to‑end payroll operations for a complex, multi‑location workforce, ensuring timely and accurate processing for all pay groups.

Analyze, audit, reconcile, and resolve complex payroll processing and employee payroll issues to ensure smooth payroll processing and a high degree of accuracy.

Ensure payroll reporting and payments are compliant with company guidelines, generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and federal, state, and IRS regulations.

Research and interpret federal, state, and local regulatory requirements and resolve tax, withholding, garnishment, and wage/hour issues related to payroll processing.

Establish and maintain standard operating procedures and internal controls for payroll, including documentation of key processes and controls.

Respond to internal and external auditing and regulatory inquiries, providing analysis, support, and timely resolution of findings.

May work with system programmers and IT partners to design and implement payroll system changes, enhancements, and integrations; may administer company payroll systems in coordination with outside service providers.

Collaborate closely with HR, Benefits, Finance, and other stakeholders to ensure accurate and aligned handling of compensation, benefits, leaves, and other pay‑related programs.

Develop and maintain metrics, dashboards, and reports to monitor payroll performance, accuracy, and compliance.

Lead, coach, and develop payroll staff, including workload planning, performance management, and skills development.

Drive continuous improvement initiatives to streamline processes, reduce manual effort, and improve employee experience regarding pay and payroll inquiries.

This role will demand the following characteristics for success:

Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and resolve complex payroll discrepancies.

High attention to detail and accuracy in a high‑volume environment.

Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain payroll concepts to non‑technical stakeholders.

Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and handle sensitive employee information appropriately.

Ability to work independently, prioritize multiple deliverables, and meet tight deadlines.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field and a minimum of 8-10 years of progressive payroll experience, including multi-state or multi-country payroll processing is required for this role.

Current Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) is required.

3–5+ years of experience in a payroll leadership or supervisory role (managing a team or leading significant payroll operations).

Strong working knowledge of:Payroll regulations (federal, state, and local tax withholding, wage and hour rules, garnishments).Benefits and deductions as they impact payroll (health, retirement, leave programs, etc.).

Hands-on experience with a major payroll system (e.g., Workday, SAP, Oracle, ADP, or similar enterprise solution).

Demonstrated experience in leading and developing a payroll team, including performance management and coaching.

Experience managing end‑to‑end payroll cycles (data validation, approvals, processing, auditing, and issue resolution).

Experience building and implementing standard operating procedures and internal controls for payroll.

Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and basic data/reporting tools (e.g., pivot tables, lookups).

Primary Level Salary Range: $138,400.00 - $207,600.00

The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.