Group Leader, Payroll and Benefits Accounting (Accounting Manager 4)
- Req. Number: IRC134201
- Organization : CNTL Payroll & Benefits Accounting (CNTL-PBA)
- City, State: Los Alamos, New Mexico
- Salary: $122,300 - $206,300
- Recruiter Name: Maestas, Julianita Rebecca (Julia)
- Recruiter Email: juliamaestas@lanl.gov
What You Will Do
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is seeking an accomplished and experienced payroll professional to serve as Group Leader (Accounting Manager 4) within the Controller Division, overseeing the Payroll and Benefits Accounting Group (CNTL-PBA).
The selected candidate will provide leadership for the Payroll and Benefits Accounting Group, which consists of two Payroll teams (regular and union employees) and the Benefits Accounting team. Reporting directly to the Controller and Division Leader, the Group Leader will be responsible for managing the daily operations of the team. This includes overseeing the processing of biweekly multi-state payroll for over 15,000 employees and the weekly payroll for more than 1,400 union and craft employees.
In this role, the candidate will lead operations in a fast-paced environment, ensuring payroll is processed accurately and timely. The role requires the ability to interact with all levels of staff and management, build strong internal and external relationships. The Group Leader will also work closely with management to provide strategic solutions, process improvements including automation of processes, changes to policy or programs, offering informed recommendations and alternative approaches. Flexibility is required, as the candidate may need to work outside regular business hours to meet critical deadlines.
This position also involves managing time and labor policies, ensuring compliance with internal policies, collective bargaining agreements, federal, state, and local laws. The Group Leader will collaborate with HR, Accounting & Financial Reporting, Finance, IT, and Laboratory leadership to ensure the payroll and benefits functions run efficiently. As a senior advisor, the Group Leader will support the coordination and oversight of compliance and audit requirements, present findings to senior management, and provide recommendations for system design and process improvements.
This is a key leadership role within the Controller Division that offers the opportunity to drive operational excellence and strategic innovation within the Payroll and Benefits Accounting Group.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Management Requirements
Demonstrated leadership in payroll management, including compliance, policy implementation, and risk management. Strong knowledge of personnel policies and procedures, with expertise in selection, training, performance evaluation, salary administration, and career development. Broad understanding of EEO/diversity, staffing, and organizational development
Payroll Requirements
Extensive experience managing a complex payroll function in a large organization. Advanced experience and ability to interpret policies and support payroll compliance and time collection systems, processes, and controls. Comprehensive knowledge of FLSA and Davis Bacon Act regulations and requirements. Demonstrated experience working with collective bargaining agreements and trade or union payrolls. Demonstrated ability working with functional and technical teams to collaborate and respond to data requests and develop, test, and implement system changes and solutions. Demonstrated ability to consider the impact of payroll-related processes and accounting on employees and other organizations.
Accounting Requirements
Comprehensive knowledge of complex accounting and financial analysis, benefits, and tax accounting with demonstrated ability to research payroll and business issues and proper application of internal controls for successful payroll operations. Demonstrated knowledge of IRS regulations and year-end payroll reporting requirements; local, state, federal, local tax rules, state reciprocity, and DOL regulations with proven ability in developing, interpreting, and applying financial policies and procedures and performing self-assessments.
Problem Solving
Extensive experience in research and data analysis, identifying performance gaps, and proposing solutions. Demonstrated ability to make strategic recommendations and develop procedures independently or as part of management.
Communication and Teamwork
Proven ability to communicate complex information effectively across diverse audiences. Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills for interaction with customers, staff, senior management, and stakeholders. Advanced organizational skills to prioritize and execute complex business and financial tasks.
Customer Service
Demonstrated capability in proactive and excellent customer service, and extensive experience in resolving issues based on evolving business requirements.
Technology
Extensive experience and knowledge with Microsoft Office Suite. Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Accounting Systems.
Education/Experience:
Position requires a bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, Business Administration or a related field from an accredited institution and 8 years related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. At this level, post graduate coursework may be desirable.
Desired Qualifications:
Work Location: The work location for this position is hybrid and is located in Los Alamos. Hybrid is defined as working partially onsite/partially offsite but within 2 hours ground commute of this location. All work locations are at the discretion of management and can change at any time with appropriate notice.
Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.
Where You Will Work
Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:
§ PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
§ Dental and vision insurance
§ Free basic life and disability insurance
§ Paid childbirth and parental leave
§ Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
§ Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
§ Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
§ Onsite gyms and wellness programs
§ Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)
Additional Details
Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.
*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.
New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.
Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.
Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
Incentive Compensation Program: Position is eligible to participate in the Triad Incentive Compensation Program. You must be in an eligible position for a minimum of 3 months, before July 1st and remain in an eligible position as of the end of the fiscal year, September 30th. The annual distribution is prorated based on the number of months in the eligible position.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call 1-505-664-6947 option 2 and then option 3.
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is seeking an accomplished and experienced payroll professional to serve as Group Leader (Accounting Manager 4) within the Controller Division, overseeing the Payroll and Benefits Accounting Group (CNTL-PBA).
The selected candidate will provide leadership for the Payroll and Benefits Accounting Group, which consists of two Payroll teams (regular and union employees) and the Benefits Accounting team. Reporting directly to the Controller and Division Leader, the Group Leader will be responsible for managing the daily operations of the team. This includes overseeing the processing of biweekly multi-state payroll for over 15,000 employees and the weekly payroll for more than 1,400 union and craft employees.
In this role, the candidate will lead operations in a fast-paced environment, ensuring payroll is processed accurately and timely. The role requires the ability to interact with all levels of staff and management, build strong internal and external relationships. The Group Leader will also work closely with management to provide strategic solutions, process improvements including automation of processes, changes to policy or programs, offering informed recommendations and alternative approaches. Flexibility is required, as the candidate may need to work outside regular business hours to meet critical deadlines.
This position also involves managing time and labor policies, ensuring compliance with internal policies, collective bargaining agreements, federal, state, and local laws. The Group Leader will collaborate with HR, Accounting & Financial Reporting, Finance, IT, and Laboratory leadership to ensure the payroll and benefits functions run efficiently. As a senior advisor, the Group Leader will support the coordination and oversight of compliance and audit requirements, present findings to senior management, and provide recommendations for system design and process improvements.
This is a key leadership role within the Controller Division that offers the opportunity to drive operational excellence and strategic innovation within the Payroll and Benefits Accounting Group.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Management Requirements
Demonstrated leadership in payroll management, including compliance, policy implementation, and risk management. Strong knowledge of personnel policies and procedures, with expertise in selection, training, performance evaluation, salary administration, and career development. Broad understanding of EEO/diversity, staffing, and organizational development
Payroll Requirements
Extensive experience managing a complex payroll function in a large organization. Advanced experience and ability to interpret policies and support payroll compliance and time collection systems, processes, and controls. Comprehensive knowledge of FLSA and Davis Bacon Act regulations and requirements. Demonstrated experience working with collective bargaining agreements and trade or union payrolls. Demonstrated ability working with functional and technical teams to collaborate and respond to data requests and develop, test, and implement system changes and solutions. Demonstrated ability to consider the impact of payroll-related processes and accounting on employees and other organizations.
Accounting Requirements
Comprehensive knowledge of complex accounting and financial analysis, benefits, and tax accounting with demonstrated ability to research payroll and business issues and proper application of internal controls for successful payroll operations. Demonstrated knowledge of IRS regulations and year-end payroll reporting requirements; local, state, federal, local tax rules, state reciprocity, and DOL regulations with proven ability in developing, interpreting, and applying financial policies and procedures and performing self-assessments.
Problem Solving
Extensive experience in research and data analysis, identifying performance gaps, and proposing solutions. Demonstrated ability to make strategic recommendations and develop procedures independently or as part of management.
Communication and Teamwork
Proven ability to communicate complex information effectively across diverse audiences. Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills for interaction with customers, staff, senior management, and stakeholders. Advanced organizational skills to prioritize and execute complex business and financial tasks.
Customer Service
Demonstrated capability in proactive and excellent customer service, and extensive experience in resolving issues based on evolving business requirements.
Technology
Extensive experience and knowledge with Microsoft Office Suite. Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Accounting Systems.
Education/Experience:
Position requires a bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, Business Administration or a related field from an accredited institution and 8 years related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. At this level, post graduate coursework may be desirable.
Desired Qualifications:
- Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)
- Experience working with Oracle, including Oracle Time & Labor (OTL)
Work Location: The work location for this position is hybrid and is located in Los Alamos. Hybrid is defined as working partially onsite/partially offsite but within 2 hours ground commute of this location. All work locations are at the discretion of management and can change at any time with appropriate notice.
Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.
Where You Will Work
Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:
§ PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
§ Dental and vision insurance
§ Free basic life and disability insurance
§ Paid childbirth and parental leave
§ Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
§ Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
§ Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
§ Onsite gyms and wellness programs
§ Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)
Additional Details
Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.
*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.
New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.
Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.
Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
Incentive Compensation Program: Position is eligible to participate in the Triad Incentive Compensation Program. You must be in an eligible position for a minimum of 3 months, before July 1st and remain in an eligible position as of the end of the fiscal year, September 30th. The annual distribution is prorated based on the number of months in the eligible position.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call 1-505-664-6947 option 2 and then option 3.
