Heartland Dental is seeking an experienced Payroll Manager who brings sound judgment, positive leadership, and a commitment to operational excellence. This role offers the opportunity to lead a large, multi-state payroll function, develop high-performing teams, and help shape the future of payroll operations at a fast-growing organization.

The Payroll Manager serves as a senior leader and primary escalation point for payroll operations supporting offices and team members across the country. This position is accountable for accurate and timely payroll delivery across multiple business units, compliance with federal, state, and local requirements, operational performance, and an exceptional team member experience. The Payroll Manager leads Payroll Supervisors and their teams, partners with leaders across the organization, and provides subject matter expertise on complex payroll, accounting, data, and system matters.

Heartland Dental is the nation's largest dental support organization, providing non-clinical administrative support services to more than 3,200 supported doctors across 39 states and the District of Columbia in 2,000+ dental offices. Each Heartland Dental supported office is unique to the community and the patients they serve. Supported doctors are the clinical leaders of their practice, retain full clinical autonomy, and establish their own care philosophies. All Heartland Dental supported doctors are united by a common goal: delivering the highest quality dental care and patient experiences.

The Payroll Manager reports to the Senior Director and provides leadership to Payroll Supervisors and their teams. The role works closely with Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, Information Technology, Operations, Legal, and other business partners.

Below is an overview of the duties and responsibilities associated with this position:

Serve as the payroll subject matter expert and senior escalation point for complex pay, compliance, accounting, system, and operational issues, ensuring timely resolution and clear communication with affected stakeholders.

Oversee the accurate, complete, and timely production and delivery of payroll across multiple business units and jurisdictions, with appropriate controls, reconciliations, approvals, and issue management.

Lead Payroll Supervisors and their teams through clear expectations, workload planning, prioritization, coaching, development, and accountability for service, quality, timeliness, and compliance.

Partner with the Senior Director to establish payroll strategy, annual goals, performance measures, staffing plans, and a prioritized portfolio of operational and technology initiatives.

Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local wage and hour, tax, garnishment, recordkeeping, and payroll requirements, including Internal Revenue Service regulations and the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Oversee payroll general ledger activities in UKG Pro, including reconciliations, data integrity, issue resolution, and partnership with Finance and Accounting on accurate and timely postings.

Design and strengthen payroll processes, controls, documentation, and data practices to support accuracy, scalability, audit readiness, business continuity, and a consistent team member experience.

Set departmental goals, monitor performance, identify risks, drive corrective action, and lead continuous improvement across assigned payroll operations.

Recruit, select, onboard, coach, and develop Payroll Supervisors and team members, building leadership capability, succession strength, engagement, and a culture of accountability and service.

Represent Payroll on cross-functional committees, workgroups, and enterprise initiatives, translating payroll requirements into practical business and system solutions.

Lead responses to payroll data and reporting requests, ensuring information from UKG Pro is accurate, appropriately secured, and delivered in a usable format.

Evaluate UKG Pro releases, functionality, and enhancements; develop recommendations; and lead testing, implementation, adoption, and related operational change.

Champion the transition from UKG Pro to Workday during 2027 and 2028, including payroll process redesign, requirements definition, data validation, integration and user acceptance testing, control design, readiness planning, training, cutover support, stabilization, and change management.

Serve as a visible champion of Heartland Dental’s culture and lead change with transparency, empathy, sound judgment, and a focus on sustainable results.

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, finance, human resources, or a related field or commensurate experience

At least six years of progressively responsible payroll experience, including at least three years leading payroll teams, supervisors, or complex payroll operations.

Experience supporting a large, multi-state employer.

Demonstrated knowledge of payroll compliance, wage and hour requirements, payroll taxes, garnishments, controls, reconciliations, and payroll accounting.

Proven ability to lead through change, manage risk, make sound decisions, and deliver results in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

Strong organizational, analytical, and accuracy skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet critical payroll deadlines.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex payroll matters clearly to team members and leaders at all levels.

Demonstrated commitment to exceptional customer service for internal and external stakeholders.

Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and the ability to work effectively with payroll data, reporting tools, and system outputs.

Ability to work a flexible schedule when needed to support payroll deadlines, implementations, year-end activities, and critical issue resolution.

Desirable Qualifications

Certified Payroll Professional certification.

Experience in an organization with approximately 25,000 or more employees.

Hands-on experience with UKG Pro payroll

Experience participating in a large-scale human capital management or payroll platform implementation, such as Workday.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to perform essential duties satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties of the position

Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer

Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times

Company retains the sole discretion to change the duties of the position at any time.

We provide all employees and applicants for employment the protections of federal, state, and local laws affording equal opportunity in employment.