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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The HR Benefits & Payroll Manager leads AOI's payroll operations and oversees day-to-day employee benefits administration. This position is accountable for accurate and timely payroll processing through ADP Workforce Now, payroll tax compliance, reconciliations, reporting, and operational controls, while ensuring reliable employee benefits service and administration.
The position supervises payroll and benefits support staff and partners with Finance, Accounting, HR leadership, ADP, and external service providers. Gallagher remains AOI's third-party benefits consultant and leads strategic advisory work involving plan design, renewals, and market benchmarking; this role coordinates implementation, internal administration, and employee support.
Responsibilities
- Oversee accurate, timely semi-monthly payroll processing through ADP Workforce Now, including payroll review, approvals, adjustments, off-cycle payments, and final payroll reconciliation.
- Lead and develop payroll and benefits staff; assign responsibilities, establish backup coverage, review work quality, and resolve escalated operational issues.
- Maintain hands-on working knowledge of ADP Workforce Now Payroll, Time & Attendance, employee data, payroll configurations, earnings and deductions, and payroll reporting.
- Review payroll inputs including new hires, separations, compensation changes, promotions, bonuses, overtime, shift differentials, leave, garnishments, and benefit deductions for accuracy and proper authorization.
- Oversee federal, state, and local payroll tax compliance, including withholding, tax jurisdiction setup, agency registrations, quarterly and annual filings, W-2s, and resolution of ADP or agency notices; coordinate with ADP and tax advisors as appropriate.
- Monitor multi-state payroll requirements, wage-and-hour compliance, record retention, and payroll-related regulatory changes; escalate complex matters to HR leadership or external advisors.
- Prepare and review payroll registers, general ledger and labor-cost reports, payroll accruals, deduction and tax liability reconciliations, and supporting schedules for Finance and Accounting.
- Research payroll-to-GL variances, funding discrepancies, tax adjustments, retroactive payments, and other exceptions; coordinate corrections and document resolution.
- Establish payroll controls, audit trails, approval workflows, SOPs, and segregation-of-duties practices to protect payroll accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance.
- Support internal and external audits by preparing payroll, tax, benefits, 401(k), and compensation records and reconciling requested supporting documentation.
- Coordinate with HRIS, IT, ADP, and Finance on payroll system configuration, timekeeping integrations, reporting improvements, and process automation.
- Oversee daily administration of medical, dental, vision, life, disability, HSA/FSA, COBRA, 401(k), and other company-sponsored benefits through the Benefits & Onboarding Administrator and applicable vendors.
- Ensure timely and accurate benefit enrollments, terminations, qualifying life events, eligibility updates, carrier feeds, and employee payroll deductions; resolve discrepancies through routine audits.
- Coordinate annual Open Enrollment execution, employee communications, system readiness, enrollment support, and post-enrollment reconciliation in partnership with Gallagher, carriers, and HR leadership.
- Serve as AOI's internal operational liaison to Gallagher, carriers, COBRA administrators, retirement plan providers, and other vendors; escalate employee service and coverage issues as needed.
- Partner with Gallagher and HR leadership on benefits renewals, plan design recommendations, benchmarking, and regulatory guidance; support data requests, communications, and implementation rather than independently leading benefits strategy.
- Oversee administration of COBRA, retirement plan contributions, life and disability claims coordination, and related employee or beneficiary inquiries, working with external administrators and advisors.
- Maintain awareness of applicable ACA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, and retirement-plan requirements and coordinate compliance activities and required notices with Gallagher, vendors, and legal advisors.
- Provide recurring payroll and benefits metrics, cost analysis, variance reporting, and operational updates to HR leadership, Finance, and Accounting.
- Maintain confidentiality of employee payroll, tax, compensation, dependent, and benefits information and perform other HR Operations duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
- 5+ years of progressively responsible payroll and/or HR operations experience, including substantial hands-on payroll processing and review responsibility; prior team leadership preferred.
- Required: demonstrated hands-on experience processing and managing payroll in ADP Workforce Now (ADP WFN); knowledge of its payroll reports, deductions, and tax functionality.
- Strong working knowledge of federal and multi-state payroll tax withholding, registrations, filings, W-2 reporting, payroll adjustments, and payroll compliance requirements.
- Experience with payroll reconciliations, general ledger reporting, labor-cost reporting, accruals, and coordination with Accounting or Finance.
- Experience reviewing time and attendance, overtime, bonuses, garnishments, compensation changes, and payroll controls in a multi-department environment.
- Working knowledge of employer-sponsored health and welfare benefits, COBRA, 401(k), open enrollment, and employee benefits administration.
- Experience coordinating with benefits brokers or consultants, carriers, third-party administrators, and payroll service providers.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including data reconciliation, pivot tables, lookups, and payroll reporting analysis.
- Strong people leadership, attention to detail, judgment, communication, confidentiality, and ability to meet strict payroll deadlines.
- ADP Workforce Now Payroll & Timekeeping
- Payroll Tax & Multi-State Compliance
- Payroll Reconciliation & Accounting Reporting
- Payroll Controls, Audits & Process Improvement
- Benefits Administration & Vendor Coordination
- Employee Service & Escalation Management
- Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
Location
This position will be on-site based in Sugar Land, Texas.
Why AOI?
In addition to competitive salary, AOI offers
- Flexible and competitive health (medical, dental, vision) plans offer the employee with the right options to meet individual and family needs
- Employer matching on 401(k) deferrals
- Generous PTO policy, with unused PTO payout at end of the year
- Relocation package available within US
- Immigration sponsorships (Must be currently authorized to work in the US)
Summary
The HR Benefits & Payroll Manager leads AOI's payroll operations and oversees day-to-day employee benefits administration. This position is accountable for accurate and timely payroll processing through ADP Workforce Now, payroll tax compliance, reconciliations, reporting, and operational controls, while ensuring reliable employee benefits service and administration.
The position supervises payroll and benefits support staff and partners with Finance, Accounting, HR leadership, ADP, and external service providers. Gallagher remains AOI's third-party benefits consultant and leads strategic advisory work involving plan design, renewals, and market benchmarking; this role coordinates implementation, internal administration, and employee support.
Responsibilities
- Oversee accurate, timely semi-monthly payroll processing through ADP Workforce Now, including payroll review, approvals, adjustments, off-cycle payments, and final payroll reconciliation.
- Lead and develop payroll and benefits staff; assign responsibilities, establish backup coverage, review work quality, and resolve escalated operational issues.
- Maintain hands-on working knowledge of ADP Workforce Now Payroll, Time & Attendance, employee data, payroll configurations, earnings and deductions, and payroll reporting.
- Review payroll inputs including new hires, separations, compensation changes, promotions, bonuses, overtime, shift differentials, leave, garnishments, and benefit deductions for accuracy and proper authorization.
- Oversee federal, state, and local payroll tax compliance, including withholding, tax jurisdiction setup, agency registrations, quarterly and annual filings, W-2s, and resolution of ADP or agency notices; coordinate with ADP and tax advisors as appropriate.
- Monitor multi-state payroll requirements, wage-and-hour compliance, record retention, and payroll-related regulatory changes; escalate complex matters to HR leadership or external advisors.
- Prepare and review payroll registers, general ledger and labor-cost reports, payroll accruals, deduction and tax liability reconciliations, and supporting schedules for Finance and Accounting.
- Research payroll-to-GL variances, funding discrepancies, tax adjustments, retroactive payments, and other exceptions; coordinate corrections and document resolution.
- Establish payroll controls, audit trails, approval workflows, SOPs, and segregation-of-duties practices to protect payroll accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance.
- Support internal and external audits by preparing payroll, tax, benefits, 401(k), and compensation records and reconciling requested supporting documentation.
- Coordinate with HRIS, IT, ADP, and Finance on payroll system configuration, timekeeping integrations, reporting improvements, and process automation.
- Oversee daily administration of medical, dental, vision, life, disability, HSA/FSA, COBRA, 401(k), and other company-sponsored benefits through the Benefits & Onboarding Administrator and applicable vendors.
- Ensure timely and accurate benefit enrollments, terminations, qualifying life events, eligibility updates, carrier feeds, and employee payroll deductions; resolve discrepancies through routine audits.
- Coordinate annual Open Enrollment execution, employee communications, system readiness, enrollment support, and post-enrollment reconciliation in partnership with Gallagher, carriers, and HR leadership.
- Serve as AOI's internal operational liaison to Gallagher, carriers, COBRA administrators, retirement plan providers, and other vendors; escalate employee service and coverage issues as needed.
- Partner with Gallagher and HR leadership on benefits renewals, plan design recommendations, benchmarking, and regulatory guidance; support data requests, communications, and implementation rather than independently leading benefits strategy.
- Oversee administration of COBRA, retirement plan contributions, life and disability claims coordination, and related employee or beneficiary inquiries, working with external administrators and advisors.
- Maintain awareness of applicable ACA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, and retirement-plan requirements and coordinate compliance activities and required notices with Gallagher, vendors, and legal advisors.
- Provide recurring payroll and benefits metrics, cost analysis, variance reporting, and operational updates to HR leadership, Finance, and Accounting.
- Maintain confidentiality of employee payroll, tax, compensation, dependent, and benefits information and perform other HR Operations duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
- 5+ years of progressively responsible payroll and/or HR operations experience, including substantial hands-on payroll processing and review responsibility; prior team leadership preferred.
- Required: demonstrated hands-on experience processing and managing payroll in ADP Workforce Now (ADP WFN); knowledge of its payroll reports, deductions, and tax functionality.
- Strong working knowledge of federal and multi-state payroll tax withholding, registrations, filings, W-2 reporting, payroll adjustments, and payroll compliance requirements.
- Experience with payroll reconciliations, general ledger reporting, labor-cost reporting, accruals, and coordination with Accounting or Finance.
- Experience reviewing time and attendance, overtime, bonuses, garnishments, compensation changes, and payroll controls in a multi-department environment.
- Working knowledge of employer-sponsored health and welfare benefits, COBRA, 401(k), open enrollment, and employee benefits administration.
- Experience coordinating with benefits brokers or consultants, carriers, third-party administrators, and payroll service providers.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including data reconciliation, pivot tables, lookups, and payroll reporting analysis.
- Strong people leadership, attention to detail, judgment, communication, confidentiality, and ability to meet strict payroll deadlines.
- ADP Workforce Now Payroll & Timekeeping
- Payroll Tax & Multi-State Compliance
- Payroll Reconciliation & Accounting Reporting
- Payroll Controls, Audits & Process Improvement
- Benefits Administration & Vendor Coordination
- Employee Service & Escalation Management
- Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
Location
This position will be on-site based in Sugar Land, Texas.
Why AOI?
In addition to competitive salary, AOI offers
- Flexible and competitive health (medical, dental, vision) plans offer the employee with the right options to meet individual and family needs
- Employer matching on 401(k) deferrals
- Generous PTO policy, with unused PTO payout at end of the year
- Relocation package available within US
- Immigration sponsorships (Must be currently authorized to work in the US)
See all 49+ Payroll Manager Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Payroll Manager roles.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Payroll Manager role qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship?
Yes, Payroll Manager qualifies as a specialty occupation under H-1B visa 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 visa 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.