Sr. Manager, Payroll - Tax & Processing

NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. We create world-class content, which we distribute across our portfolio of film, television, and streaming, and bring to life through our theme parks and consumer experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, USA Network, and Peacock, our premium ad-supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group and Universal Studio Group, and have world-renowned theme parks and attractions through Universal Destinations & Experiences. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

Our impact is rooted in improving the communities where our employees, customers, and audiences live and work. We have a rich tradition of giving back and ensuring our employees have the opportunity to serve their communities. We champion an inclusive culture and strive to attract and develop a talented workforce to create and deliver a wide range of content reflecting our world.

Comcast NBCUniversal has announced its intent to create a new publicly traded company ('Versant') comprised of most of NBCUniversal's cable television networks, including USA Network, CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, E!, SYFY and Golf Channel along with complementary digital assets Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, and SportsEngine. The well-capitalized company will have significant scale as a pure-play set of assets anchored by leading news, sports and entertainment content. The spin-off is expected to be completed during 2025.

The Senior Manager, Payroll Operations will play a critical role leading Versant’s tax, garnishment, and payroll processing functions.  Reporting to the Vice President, Global Payroll, this role is responsible for supporting all SAP Payroll tax, garnishment, and processing activities including but not limited to leading payroll processing for weekly and bi-weekly payroll, tax jurisdiction setups, performing routine audits and preparing reports, leading the overpayment process and year-end processes, setup of garnishments with vendor, and researching/resolving all payroll tax and garnishment tickets.  The Senior Manager will collaborate closely with Payroll Operations, HR, Finance, and Business Operations to deliver high-quality payroll services as Versant scales into a standalone company.

Key Responsibilities  

Service Delivery

• Ensure timely and accurate payroll tax processing, managing tax filings for federal, state, and local payroll taxes, and ensuring full compliance with all regulatory requirements.
• Provide direct support for employee-related activities on mobility tax matters and processing relocation-related data with high quality, working closely with Stock team to execute processes and procedures for equity wage and tax reporting compliance, and coordinating with Retirement Benefits team to ensure Versant retirement programs, such as 401(k) and Deferred Compensation plans, are administered accurately and compliantly.
• Oversee the accurate and timely filing of payroll tax returns, including federal, state, and local taxes, as well as year-end reporting (e.g., W-2s, 1099s).
• Manage On-Cycle (weekly/bi-weekly) and Off-Cycle payroll in SAP for Versant both union and non-union and ensure all processes are completed timely and accurately.
• Manage payroll processing calendar and deadlines.
• Ensure that payroll payments are successfully disbursed (check and ACH).
• Help assist payroll team in responding timely and effectively to inquires related to payroll, providing guidance on garnishments, child supports, IRS levies and pay practices.
• Ensure all applicable federal, state, and local taxes, garnishments, employee benefit contributions, union dues etc. are properly withheld

Standards and Controls

• Ensure payroll tax compliance with federal, state, and local tax regulations, union agreements, wage and hour laws, garnishments, and benefit deductions.
• Maintain current knowledge of Multistate and Federal guidelines with a heavy emphasis on CA pay rules and the way in which various payroll items are to be processed, including but not limited processing final pay state terminations.
• Monitor internal controls related to payroll tax filings and GL mapping.
• Manage payroll tax audits, including internal and external audits, and ensure timely resolution of audit issues.
• Maintain data integrity through regular validation and reconciliations of payroll outputs and general ledger postings.

Performance

• Track and report on key payroll metrics, ensuring timely resolution of discrepancies and payroll issues.
• Identify opportunities to enhance payroll accuracy and service delivery through technology, process improvements, and standardization.
• Partner with HR, Benefits, and Finance to continuously refine and align payroll-related workflows and integrations.
• Contribute to the successful execution of special projects and spin-related transitions, ensuring payroll continuity through organizational changes.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the VP, Payroll

People

• Supervise and coach payroll team members, supporting onboarding, development, and ongoing performance feedback.
• Promote cross-functional collaboration across HR, Operations, and Accounting to improve payroll-related communications and processes.
• Foster a culture of accountability, accuracy, and service excellence.
• Serve as an escalation point for complex payroll inquiries and provide clear resolution guidance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, or related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience managing payroll teams within large multi-state companies, including responsibility for and in-depth functional knowledge of payroll, time keeping systems, internal/external audits, issue resolution, garnishments and research of payroll and wage/hour requirements.
• Minimum 5+ years of people management or supervisory experience.
• Proficiency with SAP Payroll or other ERP-based payroll systems.
• Strong working knowledge of wage and hour laws, tax regulations, and payroll accounting principles.
• Experience supporting payroll audits, implementing new payroll processes or systems, and managing third-party vendor relationships.
• Experience with International Payroll Process with internal payroll system and 3rd party vendors, preferred

Knowledge & Skills

• Expertise in payroll processing, regulatory compliance, and multi-jurisdictional payroll taxation.
• Familiarity with collective bargaining agreements and union/guild payroll structures.
• Strong analytical and reconciliation skills with attention to detail.
• Proficient in Excel and reporting tools; ability to analyse large datasets and communicate insights.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to partner effectively across departments.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple deadlines independently in a fast-paced, transformation-focused environment.

Additional Information:

• Hybrid: This position has been designated as hybrid, generally contributing from the office a minimum of three days per week. Subject to change based on Manager discussion or business need.
• This position is eligible for company sponsored benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and a variety of other benefits and perks. Learn more about the benefits offered by NBCUniversal by visiting the Benefits page of the Careers website. 

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with an NBCUniversal employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to [email protected].

Although you'll be hired as an NBCU employee, your employment and the responsibilities associated with this job likely will transition to Versant in the future. By joining at this pivotal time, you'll be a part of this exciting company as it takes shape.