Job Description

Payroll Manager

Full-Time, Remote / Salary, Exempt / Includes Benefits, PTO, Flexible Schedule, Equity

Steno is growing! We’re looking for a Payroll Manager to join our winning team, which is revolutionizing the court reporting industry every single day. We’re a diverse team from all over the country and we’re crazy about redefining the boundaries of an outdated industry.

In this role, you will own end-to-end payroll operations for our 500+ person, multi-state workforce, serving as the trusted bridge between Finance and the People team. You’ll manage full-cycle payroll processing, multi-state compliance, and vendor relationships, while partnering with Finance on month-end reporting and headcount planning. We’re looking for someone with hands-on Rippling HCM experience and deep multi-state payroll compliance knowledge who’s comfortable operating as a trusted liaison across teams.

On a regular basis you will

• Own and execute the full payroll cycle for all US and international employees and contractors, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with federal, state, and local requirements.
• Administer and maintain payroll operations within Rippling HCM, including pay runs, tax setup, deductions, and employee data integrity.
• Act as the primary liaison between the People and Finance teams, ensuring payroll-related information (new hires, terminations, pay changes, leaves, commission/bonus data) flows accurately with no gaps or delays.
• Partner with department and business unit leaders to process commission and bonus payouts, ensuring calculations, approvals, and timing align with plan documents and policy.
• Lead payroll compliance across all US states and applicable federal requirements, including wage and hour law, tax and unemployment insurance obligations, unclaimed property, and benefits-related payroll reporting.
• Serve as subject matter expert on multi-state payroll compliance, with particular depth in California, New York, Texas, and Florida.
• Manage year-end payroll processes, including W-2 preparation, tax filings, and audits.
• Respond to payroll-related inquiries from employees and managers, resolving discrepancies quickly and professionally.
• Maintain and improve payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls; identify opportunities to automate or streamline processes.
• Partner with Finance to explain and reconcile payroll expense changes at month-end close, providing variance context and supporting documentation.
• Work with the Strategic Finance team on headcount planning, providing payroll cost data, forecasts, and scenario modeling as needed.
• Support internal and external audits related to payroll, tax, and compliance.
• Support other ad hoc payroll-related projects as needed.

You’re gonna crush it if:

• You have 5+ years of progressive payroll experience, including full ownership of multi-state payroll cycles.
• You have hands-on experience with Rippling HCM.
• You have strong working knowledge of payroll compliance requirements across all US states; direct experience in California, New York, Texas, and/or Florida is a plus.
• You have experience working cross-functionally between People/HR and Finance teams, with excellent stakeholder communication skills.
• You have a solid understanding of payroll accounting concepts, including how payroll expenses flow into month-end close.
• You have demonstrated experience processing commission and bonus payouts in partnership with cross-functional business teams.
• You're highly detail-oriented, organized, and comfortable managing competing deadlines.
• Experience supporting headcount planning or workforce cost forecasting with a Strategic Finance/FP&A team, prior experience in a high-growth or remote-first organization, and/or a CPP certification are all a plus.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary - $85,000 - $100,000
• Health, Vision, & Dental Benefits – generous company-sponsored health plans for both employees and dependents, including comprehensive vision & dental.
• Wellness/Mental Health – shared benefits to be used among employees and families.
• Flexible Paid Time Off – allowing employees to find balance in their lives.
• Options of Equity – we know our success is nothing without our team.
• Access to a 401k through Guideline.
• A home office setup and a monthly stipend to offset internet and phone costs.

Application Information

• Steno is an equal opportunity employer; we do not discriminate on the basis of characteristics protected by law. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.
• Applicants needing special assistance or accommodations for interviews or website access should contact us at accommodations@steno.com.
• Information provided to Steno, such as professional credentials and skills, educational and work history, the results of technical skills assessments or working exercises, and other information included in an application, is collected, analyzed, and stored in our system.
• Steno personnel will always have a steno.com email or contact you via Rippling Recruiting. Background checks are only conducted after an offer is extended. If you haven't received an expected communication, check your spam.
• Steno uses AI-assisted tools for this role to identify and prioritize candidates whose experience aligns with the role. All hiring decisions are made by our People team