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Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, Healthcare Services, Contract Research

Manager, Payroll Operations

Austin, TXOnsiteFull TimeManager / HeadPosted 14 days agoVisa sponsorship available

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Required skills

  • multi-state payroll
  • international payroll
  • payroll operations
  • compliance
  • controls
  • reporting
  • vendor management
  • system roadmap
  • hourly workforce
  • field-based workforce

Nice to have

  • Workday Payroll processing
  • Workday Payroll configuration
  • global payroll
  • scaling payroll function
  • headcount growth
  • system implementation

Role summary

ICON, a rapidly growing company in the construction robotics sector, is seeking a Manager, Payroll Operations to oversee end-to-end payroll for its expanding workforce. This role involves managing multi-state and international payroll processing, ensuring compliance, implementing controls, and developing the system roadmap. Initially a hands-on processing role, it will evolve into oversight as the team and automation are built. The Manager will collaborate with People Operations, Total Rewards, HRIS, Accounting, and Legal to ensure accurate and timely pay for all employees, while also establishing documentation and internal controls required for government contracts. Key responsibilities include managing payroll systems, reporting, vendor relationships, and building and leading the payroll team.

Manager, Payroll Operations

Summary

ICON builds robotic systems that construct multi-story buildings. ICON launched Titan, its first commercially available construction system for external builders, in March 2026, has raised $550M+ to date, and holds $360M+ in government contracts across the Army, Air Force, DARPA, and NASA. For payroll, that means a multi-state, mixed hourly and salaried workforce that includes field and construction crews, new tax jurisdictions as projects open, and benefit programs that have to reconcile cleanly every cycle.

The Manager, Payroll Operations owns end-to-end payroll processing in Workday, payroll tax compliance, and the reconciliation of benefit deductions and contributions across carriers, recordkeepers, and HRIS. Accounting owns the general ledger and close; this role owns the accuracy of the payroll inputs to it.

You will work daily with Total Rewards, People Operations, and Accounting, be the first point of contact for employees on anything pay related, and be accountable for every pay cycle being accurate, compliant, and on time. This role is based on ICON's Austin, TX campus and reports to the Director, Total Rewards.

Responsibilities

Payroll Processing

  • Administer end-to-end payroll processing in Workday, including reviewing and verifying timesheets, earnings, deductions, and miscellaneous payments before each run.
  • Ensure every pay cycle is processed accurately and on time in accordance with federal, state, and local law and ICON policy.
  • Manage the relationship with ICON's external payroll treasury vendor, including funding, tax remittance, and issue resolution.
  • Address and resolve payroll discrepancies, disputes, and questions promptly and accurately.
  • Benefits Reconciliation

  • Reconcile payroll deductions and contributions for health insurance, retirement plans, and other employee benefits every cycle.
  • Audit and reconcile carrier and recordkeeper platforms against Workday HRIS records to ensure enrollments, rates, and contributions match.
  • Administer the retirement plan from the payroll side, including contribution funding, loan and deferral changes, nondiscrimination testing data, and annual plan audit requests.
  • Tax, Compliance & Government Reporting

  • Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations, reporting requirements, and employment laws, including researching and registering new payroll tax jurisdictions as ICON expands.
  • Prepare, audit, and submit required government reports and filings accurately and on time.
  • Maintain current knowledge of payroll regulations, laws, and best practices and apply changes to ICON's processes.
  • Accounting Partnership, Policies & Procedures

  • Collaborate closely with Accounting to reconcile payroll accounts and support month-end close.
  • Develop and maintain internal policies and procedures for payroll and benefits administration in line with industry standards.
  • Employee Experience

  • Act as the main point of contact for employees on payroll-related inquiries.
  • Communicate complex payroll and benefits information to employees in clear, understandable terms.
  • Participate in employee education sessions on payroll and benefits topics.
  • Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, HR, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
  • 5+ years of experience in multi-state payroll and benefits administration.
  • 3+ years of hands-on experience with retirement plan administration.
  • Proficiency with Workday Payroll and Benefits modules.
  • Prior experience paying a large non-exempt employee population.
  • Strong understanding of employee benefits programs, retirement plans, and related compliance.
  • Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail, with a focus on accuracy and data integrity.
  • Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information professionally and with a high level of integrity.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with employees at all levels.
  • Able to work on-site in Austin, TX.
  • Preferred Skills & Experience

  • CPP, FPC, CEBS, or comparable certification.
  • Experience in construction, manufacturing, or another industry with field-based hourly crews.
  • Workday Payroll or Benefits implementation or configuration experience.
  • ICON is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an innovative, inclusive, diverse and discrimination-free work environment. Employment with ICON is based on merit, competence, and qualifications. It is our policy to administer all personnel actions, including recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting employees, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected classification in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. Consistent with the obligations of these laws, ICON will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

    Furthermore, as a federal government contractor, the Company maintains an affirmative action program which furthers its commitment and complies with recordkeeping and reporting requirements under certain federal civil rights laws and regulations, including Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended) and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (as amended).

    Headhunters and recruitment agencies may not submit candidates through this application. ICON does not accept unsolicited headhunter and agency submissions for candidates and will not pay fees to any third-party agency without a prior agreement with ICON.

    As part of our compliance with these obligations, the Company invites you to voluntarily self-identify as set forth below. Provision of such information is entirely voluntary and a decision to provide or not provide such information will not have any effect on your employment or subject you to any adverse treatment. Any and all information provided will be considered confidential, will be kept separate from your application and/or personnel file, and will only be used in accordance with applicable laws, orders and regulations, including those that require the information to be summarized and reported to the federal government for civil rights enforcement purposes.

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