Global Senior Manager, Payroll Tax and Compliance - Houston - Waste Management

Description

I. Job Summary

The Senior Manager, Payroll Tax and Compliance leads the development and execution of the organization's payroll tax strategy, ensuring full compliance with federal, state, local, and international payroll tax regulations while supporting broader payroll and finance objectives. This role balances strategic leadership with deep technical expertise, overseeing payroll tax operations for a large, complex workforce and serving as a trusted advisor to Payroll, Finance, HR, and leadership. The Senior Manager of Payroll Tax proactively identifies risk, drives continuous improvement, and ensures payroll tax processes are scalable, compliant, and aligned with enterprise priorities

II. Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership:

• Develop and execute a forward-looking payroll tax strategy that aligns with organizational objectives and the overall payroll operating model.
• Serve as a strategic partner to Payroll Operations, Accounting, HR, and Legal, contributing insights to executive-level discussions impacting payroll, tax, and workforce initiatives.
• Identify emerging payroll tax risks, legislative changes, and compliance trends; proactively assess impacts and recommend mitigation strategies.

• Lead and influence cross-functional initiatives related to payroll transformations, system implementations, integrations, and process redesign.

  Payroll Tax Operations & Compliance:

• Oversee end-to-end payroll tax operations, ensuring accurate and timely calculation, withholding, filing, and remittance of all payroll taxes.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, local, and applicable international payroll tax laws, regulations, and reporting requirements.
• Provide subject matter expertise on complex taxable transactions, including equity compensation (e.g., RSUs, stock options), supplemental wages, fringe benefits, and multi-state taxation.
• Manage the year-end payroll tax process, including W-2/W-2c reporting, reconciliations, and coordination with internal and external auditors.

• Oversee payroll tax audits, notices, and inquiries, ensuring timely resolution and effective communication with regulatory agencies.

  Governance, Risk & Controls:

• Establish and maintain strong payroll tax governance, internal controls, and documented procedures to support compliance and audit readiness.
• Define and monitor payroll tax key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and operational excellence.
• Lead root cause analysis for payroll tax issues and implement corrective and preventive actions.

• Ensure payroll tax policies and procedures are regularly reviewed, updated, and communicated to stakeholders

  Systems, Data & Process Improvement:

• Act as the payroll tax lead for payroll and tax systems, including Oracle HCM, ADP Smart Compliance, and related tools.
• Partner with Payroll Operations, Integrations, and Reporting teams to ensure accurate data inputs, system configuration, and reporting integrity.
• Drive continuous improvement through automation, standardization, and optimization of payroll tax processes.

• Leverage data analytics to identify trends, anomalies, and opportunities to improve compliance and efficiency.

  People Leadership & Collaboration:

• Lead, develop, and mentor payroll tax team members, fostering a culture of accountability, compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, payroll vendors, and third-party service providers.

• Serve as an escalation point for complex payroll tax matters, providing clear guidance and resolution

  Technical & Professional Skills:

• Deep expertise in payroll tax regulations, compliance, and reporting.
• Advanced proficiency with Oracle HCM, ADP Smart Compliance, and payroll tax reporting tools.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex payroll tax data and communicate insights clearly.
• Proven leadership, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to anticipate risk, propose solutions, and drive informed decision-making across the organization.

III. Qualifications

A. Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience, in Accounting, Tax, Business Administration or similar area of study,
• 8 years previous experience.
• 3 years of people leadership experience

B. Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree or equivalent experience, in Accounting, Tax, Business Administration or similar area of study,
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Certified Protection Professional (CPP)

IV. Physical Requirements

Listed below are key points regarding physical demands, physical and occupational risks, and the work environment of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Frequently

• Repetitive Motions
• Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination

Constantly

• Sitting
• Talking
• Hearing

Office: This job primarily operates in a professional office environment and routinely requires the use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, copy machines, etc.

V. Benefits

At WM, each eligible employee receives a competitive total compensation package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance and Short-Term Disability. As well as a Stock Purchase Plan, Company match on 401K, and more Our employees also receive Paid Vacation, Holidays, and Personal Days. Please note that benefits may vary by site.

If this sounds like the opportunity that you have been looking for, please click Apply.