Payroll Manager

The Oklahoma City Thunder is seeking an experienced payroll professional and outstanding teammate to join our People & Culture department as a Payroll Manager. This role focuses on overseeing and managing the end-to-end payroll process to ensure accurate, compliant, and timely payroll operations for all Oklahoma City Thunder and Blue employees. This position requires taking full ownership of payroll processes, collaborating across departments, and serving as the subject-matter expert on payroll-related matters including multi-state taxation.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong understanding of payroll systems, accounting, tax compliance, and labor laws, paired with exceptional attention to detail, critical thinking skills, and the ability to build effective relationships. Maintaining strict confidentiality and professionalism is essential. If you excel at navigating complex payroll processes while delivering a stellar employee experience, this could be the perfect opportunity for you!

In this role you will manage responsibilities and projects in a variety of subject areas including but not limited to:

Payroll Processes

• Accurately process semi-monthly payroll, including data from timecards, commissions, deductions, and other inputs
• Oversee timekeeping processes and support employees and supervisors with system use, deadlines, and questions
• Process and manage garnishments in compliance with legal requirements
• Monitor vacation and leave balances, ensuring accuracy in accruals
• Regularly audit the employee roster to ensure accuracy and identify inactive team members
• Develop and distribute the annual payroll schedule, including deadlines for tax payments
• Review and track employment contracts for renewal dates, special payments, pay changes, and fringe benefits
• Produce and distribute accurate and confidential reports following each payroll
• Communicate with approved player and executive financial reps

Payroll Accounting

• Prepare and enter semi-monthly payroll journal entries, adhering to accounting deadlines
• Audit, reconcile, and prepare reports for payroll such as staff payroll deductions, monthly benefits invoices, quarterly Group Term Life, outstanding payroll checks reports, and more
• Coordinate with accounting for timely payroll-related payments
• Support the VP, People & Culture with annual payroll budget entries
• Reconcile payroll clearing accounts, United Way, FSA and other benefits and employee deduction categories to the general ledger and research and correct differences

Compliance and Taxation

• Calculate taxable per diems for traveling team members
• Maintain compliance with state and city tax regulations, ensuring timely filings and correspondence as well as set up new tax accounts in jurisdictions as needed
• Distribute annual W-2s and other payroll notices
• Manage LLC state filings and ensure proper compliance
• Manage essential documentation, prepare correspondence, and input additional data as needed
• Assist with audits and reporting including BLS reporting
• Process state quarterly and annual filings as needed such as California DE-126 and Louisiana L-1

What you'll bring to this role:

• Minimum 4 years’ payroll processing experience, including multi-state payroll and compliance
• Familiarity with payroll accounting (journal entries, reconciliations, general ledger integration)
• Strong understanding of taxation, gross-ups, fringe benefits, taxable and pre-tax earnings/deductions, deferred compensation, Section 125 benefits, and other IRS Publication 15 transactions
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook) and payroll/HRIS software; Paycom experience is a plus
• Advanced Excel skills (PivotTables, VLOOKUP, formulas)
• Ability to reconcile W-2s and 941s, and ensure accuracy
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification preferred
• Detail-orientation, dependability, and commitment to accurate, on-time payroll processing
• Strong interpersonal, written communication, and listening skills
• An initiative-taking approach with a focus on process improvement and problem-solving
• Ability to work independently or collaborate effectively within a fast-paced team environment
• Proven confidentiality and safeguard sensitive employee information

Additional details:

This is a full-time, exempt position reporting to the Director, People & Culture. Primary work location will be the Thunder corporate office located in downtown Oklahoma City at Paycom Center. Some evening, weekend and holidays hours may be required for shorter deadlines or special situations such as annual audits.

We offer a positive office environment and a robust benefits package including excellent medical, dental and vision coverage, 401k with matching funds, paid downtown parking, tuition reimbursement, employee ticket options, family gym membership subsidy, parental leave, team shop discount, and much more!

We value diversity, equity and inclusion, and we know that teams with a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills make a stronger company. As an Equal Opportunity Employer we consider applicants fairly on the basis of qualifications, experience and business needs and provide equal opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, age, sex, gender identity, religion, disability, ethnicity, national origin, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, or any other legally protected status. We also consider applicants regardless of past legal system involvement, considering the needs of the role, nature of and recency of legal history. We are committed to a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees through our culture of RAVE – Respect and Value Everyone.