Payroll Manager Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Payroll Manager roles attract H-1B visa and E-3 visa sponsorship from mid-size and enterprise employers who need someone to own multi-state payroll compliance, tax filings, and HRIS systems. A degree in accounting, finance, or HR is typically required, and USCIS classifies this as a specialty occupation. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Summary
The Payroll Manager is responsible for the end-to-end oversight and governance of Vistra’s payroll operations processed in Workday. This role ensures payroll is executed accurately, timely, and is in full compliance with federal, state, and local regulations while maintaining strong internal controls, audit readiness, and data integrity. The Payroll Manager owns payroll process design, compliance, controls, escalations, and outcomes, and serves as a key partner to HR, Planning, Accounting, and Tax teams.
Job Description
Key Accountabilities
- Develop, maintain, enforce the full end-to-end payroll processing cycle, ensuring its accurate and timely processing within the Workday platform
- Approve payroll results prior to finalization and ensure appropriate funding authorization
- Provide Tier 3 escalation support for complex payroll issues and policy interpretation
- Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations
- Oversee payroll tax accuracy and support tax filing, reconciliation and issue resolution
- Support internal and external audits and ensure timely implementation of audit recommendations
- Proactively identify and mitigate payroll-related risks
- Serve as key partner to HR, Planning, Accounting and Tax teams on payroll impacts related to compensation, benefits, and workforce changes
- Ensure timely and accurate GL interfaces, reconciliations, and payroll funding
- Drive process standardization, automation, and continuous improvement within Workday Payroll module
- Recommend, review and approve payroll changes and system enhancements
- Lead payroll testing activities related to system updates, regulatory changes, and configuration changes
- Produce and review payroll reporting and analyses
- Monitor payroll performance and identify trends, issues, and improvement opportunities
- Develop mutually agreed upon Vendor and HR Services delivery goals, objectives, expectations and outcomes related to payroll processing, time keeping, and tax compliance
- Effectively lead a team of payroll analysts/specialists to accomplish payroll team objectives
Education, Experience, & Skill Requirements
- At least two (2) years of experience leading
- Payroll certifications are preferred but not required
- 10+ years of progressive experience in Payroll, HR Operations or HR systems
- Experience operating in a Workday Payroll environment (required)
- Proven experience leading or supporting payroll process changes, system enhancements, testing, or implementations
- Experience leading highly effective teams
- Experience gained through college degree programs and/or certifications is applicable to above skills
- Minimum: High School Diploma
Key Metrics
- Payroll accuracy rate
- Team performance, efficiency, employee engagement, and retention
- On-time payroll completion
- Timely resolution of escalated payroll issues
- Responsiveness to HR, Finance, and employee escalations
- Reduction in payroll errors and rework
- Successful delivery of payroll enhancements and regulatory changes
- Improved efficiency and cycle time within payroll processes
Job Family
Human Resources
Company
Vistra Corporate Services Company
Locations
Irving, Texas
We are a company of people committed to: Exceeding Customer Expectations, Great People, Teamwork, Competitive Spirit and Effective Communication. If this describes you, then apply today!
If you currently work for Vistra or its subsidiaries, please apply via the internal career site.
It is the policy of the Company to comply with all employment laws and to afford equal employment opportunity to individuals in all aspects of employment, including in selection for job opportunities, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, military service, protected veteran status, or any other consideration protected by federal, state or local laws.
If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance submitting an application or would like to request an accommodation, please email us at assistance@vistraenergy.com to make a request.
Job Summary
The Payroll Manager is responsible for the end-to-end oversight and governance of Vistra’s payroll operations processed in Workday. This role ensures payroll is executed accurately, timely, and is in full compliance with federal, state, and local regulations while maintaining strong internal controls, audit readiness, and data integrity. The Payroll Manager owns payroll process design, compliance, controls, escalations, and outcomes, and serves as a key partner to HR, Planning, Accounting, and Tax teams.
Job Description
Key Accountabilities
- Develop, maintain, enforce the full end-to-end payroll processing cycle, ensuring its accurate and timely processing within the Workday platform
- Approve payroll results prior to finalization and ensure appropriate funding authorization
- Provide Tier 3 escalation support for complex payroll issues and policy interpretation
- Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations
- Oversee payroll tax accuracy and support tax filing, reconciliation and issue resolution
- Support internal and external audits and ensure timely implementation of audit recommendations
- Proactively identify and mitigate payroll-related risks
- Serve as key partner to HR, Planning, Accounting and Tax teams on payroll impacts related to compensation, benefits, and workforce changes
- Ensure timely and accurate GL interfaces, reconciliations, and payroll funding
- Drive process standardization, automation, and continuous improvement within Workday Payroll module
- Recommend, review and approve payroll changes and system enhancements
- Lead payroll testing activities related to system updates, regulatory changes, and configuration changes
- Produce and review payroll reporting and analyses
- Monitor payroll performance and identify trends, issues, and improvement opportunities
- Develop mutually agreed upon Vendor and HR Services delivery goals, objectives, expectations and outcomes related to payroll processing, time keeping, and tax compliance
- Effectively lead a team of payroll analysts/specialists to accomplish payroll team objectives
Education, Experience, & Skill Requirements
- At least two (2) years of experience leading
- Payroll certifications are preferred but not required
- 10+ years of progressive experience in Payroll, HR Operations or HR systems
- Experience operating in a Workday Payroll environment (required)
- Proven experience leading or supporting payroll process changes, system enhancements, testing, or implementations
- Experience leading highly effective teams
- Experience gained through college degree programs and/or certifications is applicable to above skills
- Minimum: High School Diploma
Key Metrics
- Payroll accuracy rate
- Team performance, efficiency, employee engagement, and retention
- On-time payroll completion
- Timely resolution of escalated payroll issues
- Responsiveness to HR, Finance, and employee escalations
- Reduction in payroll errors and rework
- Successful delivery of payroll enhancements and regulatory changes
- Improved efficiency and cycle time within payroll processes
Job Family
Human Resources
Company
Vistra Corporate Services Company
Locations
Irving, Texas
We are a company of people committed to: Exceeding Customer Expectations, Great People, Teamwork, Competitive Spirit and Effective Communication. If this describes you, then apply today!
If you currently work for Vistra or its subsidiaries, please apply via the internal career site.
It is the policy of the Company to comply with all employment laws and to afford equal employment opportunity to individuals in all aspects of employment, including in selection for job opportunities, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, military service, protected veteran status, or any other consideration protected by federal, state or local laws.
If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance submitting an application or would like to request an accommodation, please email us at assistance@vistraenergy.com to make a request.
See all 89+ Payroll Manager jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Payroll Manager
Target employers with multi-state payroll complexity
Companies operating across multiple states need payroll managers who understand varying tax codes and compliance rules. These employers are more likely to sponsor visas because replacing specialized payroll expertise mid-cycle is costly and operationally risky.
Highlight HRIS and payroll software proficiency
Workday, ADP, and Ceridian experience makes you significantly more sponsorable. Employers filing LCAs for payroll roles consistently list specific platform expertise as a requirement, which strengthens the specialty occupation argument USCIS needs to approve your petition.
Lead with compliance and audit experience in your resume
Payroll managers who've handled SOX compliance, IRS audits, or multi-jurisdiction tax filings demonstrate the kind of specialized judgment that supports an H-1B specialty occupation claim. Generic payroll processing experience is harder for employers to justify sponsoring.
Prioritize publicly traded and private equity-backed companies
These employers face stricter payroll compliance obligations and are more accustomed to visa sponsorship processes. Their HR and legal teams already have immigration counsel relationships, which makes moving through LCA filing and petition approval significantly faster for you.
Certifications like CPP strengthen your petition
A Certified Payroll Professional credential demonstrates domain expertise beyond your degree. USCIS occasionally scrutinizes payroll roles for specialty occupation status, and a CPP alongside a relevant degree gives your employer stronger evidence to present in an RFE response.
Understand the LCA prevailing wage tier before negotiating
Your employer files a Labor Condition Application certifying your wage meets Department of Labor prevailing wage standards for payroll managers in your metro area. Knowing which wage level your offer falls under helps you evaluate whether an offer reflects genuine sponsorship commitment.
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Find Payroll Manager JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a Payroll Manager role qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship?
Yes, Payroll Manager qualifies as a specialty occupation under H-1B rules when the employer requires a bachelor's degree or higher in accounting, finance, human resources, or a related field. USCIS has approved H-1B petitions for payroll roles, but petitions are stronger when the job description emphasizes compliance complexity, HRIS oversight, or multi-jurisdiction tax responsibilities rather than general payroll processing.
What degree do I need for an employer to sponsor a Payroll Manager visa?
Most sponsoring employers require a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or human resources management. Some accept degrees in information systems if the role is heavily HRIS-focused. The degree field should align with the core duties of the role, if the job description says 'bachelor's preferred' rather than 'required,' the petition faces a higher risk of an RFE from USCIS.
Are Australian nationals a good fit for E-3 visa sponsorship in payroll roles?
Yes. Payroll Manager is well-suited for E-3 sponsorship because it meets the specialty occupation standard and Australian universities offer directly relevant degrees in accounting and business. The E-3 has no lottery and allows unlimited two-year renewals, making it a more predictable path than the H-1B for Australians already in the U.S. or applying from Australia.
How likely is USCIS to issue an RFE for a Payroll Manager H-1B petition?
RFE risk is moderate for payroll roles. USCIS sometimes questions whether payroll management requires a specific degree rather than general business experience. Employers reduce this risk by writing job descriptions that emphasize regulatory complexity, SOX compliance, system implementation, or oversight of a large payroll function. An experienced immigration attorney drafting the petition letter significantly improves approval odds.
Where can I find Payroll Manager jobs that offer visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for visa sponsorship, so you're not sorting through hundreds of postings from employers who won't sponsor. The platform surfaces roles from companies with a track record of filing LCAs for payroll and finance positions, which saves significant time during a job search where your visa timeline is a real constraint.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Payroll Manager jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.
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