Senior Manager, Payroll Tax & Compliance

The Senior Manager, Payroll Tax and Compliance will lead the organization's payroll tax and compliance functions, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, utilizing Workday Payroll. This role requires expertise in payroll tax law, a deep understanding of compliance requirements, and strong leadership to manage teams and liaise with various departments.
The Sr. Manager, Payroll Tax and Compliance leads the enterprise Payroll Tax and Compliance team by leading strategic objectives in line with enterprise goals and works with key stakeholders across the Cox family of businesses. Serves as the Payroll Tax and Compliance subject matter expert and works closely with the payroll group, People Solutions, legal counsel, payroll stakeholders and outside service providers and provides guidance to leaders across the enterprise. The Sr. Manager, Payroll Tax and Compliance will also play a significant role in the payroll transformation as we look to standardize, streamline, and automate global payroll processes.
This position reports to the Sr. Director, Payroll and will provide leadership and guidance concerning payroll tax strategies with a global lens for the Cox family of businesses.
This position involves a high level of visibility and interaction with senior leadership (AVP+) and a variety of other departments and business functions.
Position Responsibilities:
Payroll Tax Management :

• Ensure accurate and timely processing of payroll taxes, including withholding, remittance, and reporting for multiple jurisdictions (federal, state, and local).
• Oversee quarterly and annual tax filings, including W-2, 1095c, EITC notices, and other compliance forms.
• Manage and resolve payroll tax discrepancies, audits, and inquiries.

Compliance Oversight:

• Maintain compliance with all payroll tax laws and regulations, including updates to tax codes and employment laws.
• Collaborate with HR, Legal, and external auditors to ensure compliance during audits and reviews.
• Oversee implementation of tax-related policy changes, ensuring adherence to organizational and regulatory standards.

Process Improvement:

• Identify and implement improvements in payroll tax processes and systems to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
• Stay current on payroll tax technology trends and partner with IT to optimize payroll tax software solutions.
• Provide training and resources to internal teams on compliance and payroll tax processes.

Leadership and Team Management:

• Lead, mentor, and develop the payroll tax and compliance team, fostering a culture of accuracy and accountability.
• Set performance goals, provide regular feedback, and conduct evaluations for team members.
• Act as the primary point of contact for escalations related to payroll tax matters.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Work closely with Finance, HR, and external vendors to ensure seamless payroll tax integration and compliance.
• Partner with HR and Finance to support year-end processes, such as bonus payments and equity distributions.
• Collaborate on M&A efforts operating as the tax and compliance SME.

Qualifications: Minimum

• Bachelor's degree in a related discipline and 10 years' experience in a related field. The right candidate could also have a different combination, such as a master's degree and 8 years' experience; a Ph.D. and 5 years' experience in a related field; or 14 years' experience in a related field • 5+ years' experience in a management or leadership role
• Experience with leading a payroll tax team in an integrated Workday environment that includes a working knowledge of Workday reporting and data dashboards.
• Deep knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations, including multi-state tax requirements.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent organizational and project management abilities.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills capability to influence at all levels of the organization and liaise with cross-functional teams and external partners.

Preferred

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) and/or Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
• Global payroll tax and compliance management in a shared service and/or matrixed environment is a strong plus.
• Knowledge of organization's tax policies, procedures current technologies, practices, and ability to influence the strategic direction.
• Demonstrated capacity to manage an operational function with customer service orientation.
• Demonstrate experience with leading and developing high performing teams.
• Strategic mindset with an ability to be hands on as needed.
• knowledgeable of and experience with Canadian payroll

USD 108,800.00 - 181,400.00 per year
Compensation:
Compensation includes a base salary of $108,800.00 - $181,400.00. The base salary may vary within the anticipated base pay range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate's knowledge, skills, and abilities. Position may be eligible for additional compensation that may include an incentive program.
Benefits:
The Company offers eligible employees the flexibility to take as much vacation with pay as they deem consistent with their duties, the company's needs, and its obligations; seven paid holidays throughout the calendar year; and up to 160 hours of paid wellness annually for their own wellness or that of family members. Employees are also eligible for additional paid time off in the form of bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.
Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future sponsorship.
About Cox
Cox empowers employees to build a better future and has been doing so for over 120 years. With exciting investments and innovations across transportation, communications, cleantech and healthcare, our family of businesses - which includes Cox Automotive and Cox Communications - is forging a better future for us all. Ready to make your mark? Join us today!
Benefits of working at Cox may include health care insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement planning (401(k)), and paid days off (sick leave, parental leave, flexible vacation/wellness days, and/or PTO). For more details on what benefits you may be offered, visit our benefits page .
Cox is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer - All qualified applicants/employees will receive consideration for employment without regard to that individual's age, race, color, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic information, ethnicity, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Statement to ALL Third-Party Agencies and Similar Organizations: Cox accepts resumes only from agencies with which we formally engage their services. Please do not forward resumes to our applicant tracking system, Cox employees, Cox hiring manager, or send to any Cox facility. Cox is not responsible for any fees or charges associated with unsolicited resumes.