OPT Payroll Manager Jobs
Payroll Manager jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with backgrounds in accounting, human resources, or business administration. Most roles qualify as STEM-adjacent under business operations, and employers in this field routinely file H-1B visa petitions, giving you a realistic path beyond your OPT window.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Description
Summary/Objective
The Payroll Manager – MW Union Payroll position is a mid-level accounting professional that is responsible for initiating, reviewing, and processing payroll.
Essential Functions
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Export time-keeping data and import into our payroll ERP.
- Export the payment file from the ERP and import into the bank and ADP.
- Prepare checks for Union Employees.
- Review and pay monthly Union Benefits.
- Update craft wage rates and benefits in our ERP for new Unions we engage with.
- Update craft wage rates and benefits in our ERP for annual Union escalations.
Competencies
- Financial Management
- Ethical Conduct
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Communication proficiency
- Customer/client focus
- Diversity and inclusion
- Results driven
- Teamwork orientation
- Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills
Supervisory Requirements
You will be managing one payroll specialist.
Work Environment
This job operates in a clerical, office setting. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. The individual will report to our Portage, Indiana Office.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The employee regularly sits for long periods of time at a desk in front of a computer screen. The employee occasionally may be required to lift, push, pull or carry objects; typically, when filing is needed.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk; use hands, and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time exempt position. This position sometimes requires long hours, holidays, and weekend work.
Travel
The role has a preference for travel (20-30%) to project sites to partake in project audits that include review of the project equipment schedule and its costs. Accommodation is made for virtual attendance.
Required Education and Experience
Over 3 years of payroll processing experience for Unions.
Preferred Education and Experience
Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Business, or Finance or comparable Business Administration Certification programs.
Additional Eligibility Requirements
Must possess or be able to obtain a valid and appropriate state driver’s license prior to employment.
OUR MISSION AND VISION
We are an American family-owned and operated heavy civil contractor dedicated to providing innovative solutions to help meet the nation’s growing infrastructure needs.
To be America’s preferred heavy civil contractor, expanding our markets and services while staying true to our family-oriented culture and fostering an environment where our employees can prosper.
Our Core Values:
- Family
- Safety
- Integrity
- Innovation
- Commitment
- Empowerment
Equal Opportunity Employer
Upon hire, you will be provided with a copy of your specific job description. Please note job descriptions are not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
THE COMPANY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY, INTERPRET, OR APPLY THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IN ANY WAY THE COMPANY DESIRES. THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IN NO WAY IMPLIES THAT THESE ARE THE ONLY DUTIES, INCLUDING ESSENTIAL DUTIES, TO BE PERFORMED BY THE EMPLOYEE OCCUPYING THIS POSITION. THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IS NOT AN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE. THE EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP REMAINS “AT-WILL.” QUALIFIED EMPLOYEES WHO, BECAUSE OF A PHYSICAL OR MENTAL IMPAIRMENT THAT SIGNIFICANTLY LIMITS A MAJOR LIFE ACTIVITY, REQUIRE A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION TO PERFORM THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THIS POSITION SHOULD NOTIFY THEIR MANAGER OR HUMAN RESOURCES.
Accessibility: If you need an accommodation as part of the employment process please contact Human Resources.
Superior Construction provides equal opportunity employment to all individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.
Job Description
Summary/Objective
The Payroll Manager – MW Union Payroll position is a mid-level accounting professional that is responsible for initiating, reviewing, and processing payroll.
Essential Functions
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Export time-keeping data and import into our payroll ERP.
- Export the payment file from the ERP and import into the bank and ADP.
- Prepare checks for Union Employees.
- Review and pay monthly Union Benefits.
- Update craft wage rates and benefits in our ERP for new Unions we engage with.
- Update craft wage rates and benefits in our ERP for annual Union escalations.
Competencies
- Financial Management
- Ethical Conduct
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Communication proficiency
- Customer/client focus
- Diversity and inclusion
- Results driven
- Teamwork orientation
- Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills
Supervisory Requirements
You will be managing one payroll specialist.
Work Environment
This job operates in a clerical, office setting. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. The individual will report to our Portage, Indiana Office.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The employee regularly sits for long periods of time at a desk in front of a computer screen. The employee occasionally may be required to lift, push, pull or carry objects; typically, when filing is needed.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk; use hands, and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time exempt position. This position sometimes requires long hours, holidays, and weekend work.
Travel
The role has a preference for travel (20-30%) to project sites to partake in project audits that include review of the project equipment schedule and its costs. Accommodation is made for virtual attendance.
Required Education and Experience
Over 3 years of payroll processing experience for Unions.
Preferred Education and Experience
Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Business, or Finance or comparable Business Administration Certification programs.
Additional Eligibility Requirements
Must possess or be able to obtain a valid and appropriate state driver’s license prior to employment.
OUR MISSION AND VISION
We are an American family-owned and operated heavy civil contractor dedicated to providing innovative solutions to help meet the nation’s growing infrastructure needs.
To be America’s preferred heavy civil contractor, expanding our markets and services while staying true to our family-oriented culture and fostering an environment where our employees can prosper.
Our Core Values:
- Family
- Safety
- Integrity
- Innovation
- Commitment
- Empowerment
Equal Opportunity Employer
Upon hire, you will be provided with a copy of your specific job description. Please note job descriptions are not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
THE COMPANY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY, INTERPRET, OR APPLY THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IN ANY WAY THE COMPANY DESIRES. THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IN NO WAY IMPLIES THAT THESE ARE THE ONLY DUTIES, INCLUDING ESSENTIAL DUTIES, TO BE PERFORMED BY THE EMPLOYEE OCCUPYING THIS POSITION. THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IS NOT AN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE. THE EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP REMAINS “AT-WILL.” QUALIFIED EMPLOYEES WHO, BECAUSE OF A PHYSICAL OR MENTAL IMPAIRMENT THAT SIGNIFICANTLY LIMITS A MAJOR LIFE ACTIVITY, REQUIRE A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION TO PERFORM THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THIS POSITION SHOULD NOTIFY THEIR MANAGER OR HUMAN RESOURCES.
Accessibility: If you need an accommodation as part of the employment process please contact Human Resources.
Superior Construction provides equal opportunity employment to all individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Payroll Manager
Lead with your payroll software credentials
Proficiency in ADP, Workday, or Ceridian is often the first filter employers use. Listing certifications or hands-on experience with these platforms upfront signals you can contribute immediately, which makes the sponsorship conversation easier to have.
Target companies with established HR infrastructure
Mid-size and enterprise employers with dedicated HR or finance departments are far more likely to have sponsored visas before. They already have immigration counsel on retainer, which removes the biggest barrier OPT candidates face when asking about sponsorship.
Time your job search around your OPT start date
Payroll roles often have 30 to 60 day onboarding periods before you touch live payroll cycles. Starting your search two to three months before your OPT begins gives employers enough lead time to hire you without timeline anxiety.
Emphasize compliance knowledge in your resume
Employers hiring Payroll Managers care deeply about tax law, wage and hour regulations, and multi-state payroll rules. Candidates who demonstrate this knowledge reduce perceived risk, which matters when an employer is weighing the added step of sponsoring a visa.
Pursue Fundamental Payroll Certification before applying
The FPC credential from the American Payroll Association is attainable without prior U.S. work experience and signals seriousness to hiring managers. It also distinguishes your application in a pool where most competitors have longer domestic work histories.
Address your work authorization status early and clearly
Bring up your OPT status before the offer stage, not after. Briefly explaining your timeline, including any STEM extension eligibility, gives employers room to plan and prevents last-minute complications that cause otherwise strong candidates to lose offers.
Payroll Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as Payroll Managers in the United States?
Yes. Payroll Manager roles fall within business operations and human resources, both of which qualify as directly related to common F-1 degree fields such as accounting, finance, and business administration. As long as the role aligns with your degree, it meets the OPT employment requirement. You can browse verified OPT-eligible Payroll Manager positions on Migrate Mate.
Does a Payroll Manager role qualify for a STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as management information systems, data analytics, or computer information systems, and the Payroll Manager role uses those skills, you may qualify for the 24-month STEM extension. Accounting and finance degrees are generally not STEM-designated, so confirm your program's CIP code with your DSO before counting on the extension.
Which types of employers are most likely to sponsor Payroll Managers for H-1B visas?
Large employers across healthcare, technology, financial services, and professional services firms are the most consistent H-1B visa sponsors for Payroll Managers. These organizations process high payroll volumes across multiple states, justify the senior role, and have existing immigration infrastructure. Smaller companies without prior sponsorship history are less predictable, even when the role is otherwise a strong fit.
What should I do if my OPT authorization period ends before my employer files an H-1B petition?
If you have a STEM extension and your employer files an H-1B petition before your OPT expires, you may be eligible for cap-gap protection, which bridges your status through September 30 of that year. Without a STEM extension, your options narrow significantly. Planning your timeline carefully and choosing employers who commit to sponsorship early reduces the risk of a gap in work authorization.
How competitive are Payroll Manager roles for OPT candidates compared to entry-level finance jobs?
Payroll Manager roles typically require three to five years of payroll-specific experience, which puts them out of reach for most recent graduates without prior internship or co-op experience in payroll functions. Candidates who interned in payroll, worked part-time in HR operations, or hold the FPC or CPP certification are meaningfully more competitive. Some employers also consider candidates with strong accounting backgrounds who are willing to specialize.