Payroll Operations Supervisor

About the role

Hearst Television is seeking a Payroll Operations Supervisor to serve as the primary liaison between HTV business units and the Hearst Corporate Payroll Team. This role will lead payroll-related activities across the organization, create consistent practices, strengthen controls, and identify opportunities to streamline payroll responsibilities across our stations. The position supports approximately 3,800 employees across 26 media markets and 39 states and is responsible for helping ensure payroll is accurate, issues are resolved promptly, and stations follow consistent processes.

This newly created position will initially operate as a hands-on individual contributor with no immediate direct reports. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of multi-company operations, employee changes, including hires, terminations, transfers, and pay changes, timekeeping processes, and payroll administration. Success in this role requires exceptional collaboration skills, the ability to build partnerships across multiple teams, and a mindset focused on continuous improvement and process centralization.

This position will be located in the HTV Charlotte Ballantyne office and requires at least four days per week in the office.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Operations & Timekeeping

• Lead the coordination of HTV's biweekly payroll activities and ensure payroll issues are identified, communicated, and resolved before payroll deadlines.
• Support payroll processing by providing oversight, guidance, and operational coordination across the organization.
• Review and monitor payroll-related transactions, including new hires, terminations, compensation changes, bonuses, commissions, garnishments, deductions, leaves of absence, and other employee-related activities.
• Manage and monitor employee timekeeping using ADP Workforce Manager, including timecards, schedules, exceptions, missed punches, and overtime.
• Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end payroll reconciliations and reporting requirements.

Centralization, Controls & Compliance

• Drive consistency in payroll and timekeeping practices across stations and business units.
• Identify and lead payroll centralization opportunities that improve efficiency, standardization, reporting, and internal controls.
• Develop, maintain, and enhance payroll controls, documentation, procedures, and audit support processes.

Working with Other Teams & Training

• Serve as the primary liaison between HTV stations, business units, HR, Finance, and the Hearst Corporate Payroll Team.
• Partner with station leadership, Business Managers, HR, Benefits, and Finance teams to ensure accurate payroll inputs and employee data changes.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on payroll operations and provide training and support to stations and business partners.

Reporting, Analytics & Process Improvement

• Utilize data analytics, automation, AI tools, and process improvement initiatives to enhance payroll operations and payroll reporting.
• Prepare payroll metrics, operational reporting, and management dashboards to support decision-making and identify process improvement opportunities.
• Lead and support payroll system enhancements, testing, implementations, and changes that make payroll processes more efficient.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or related field preferred.
• 5-7 years of relevant experience in payroll operations, finance, HR operations, business management, or related operational roles.
• Experience in a Business Manager, Payroll Manager, Payroll Supervisor, Finance Manager, or similar operational leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of payroll administration, timekeeping, workforce management, and employee life-cycle processes.
• Experience in multi-location environments and cross-functional collaboration with Operations, HR, Finance, and Payroll preferred.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience supporting process improvement, standardization, or centralization initiatives preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and payroll/timekeeping systems, including ADP Workforce Manager or similar platforms preferred.
• Ability to handle confidential employee information with professionalism and discretion.

Preferred Experience

• Prior experience within a broadcast, media, or multi-location operating environment.
• Experience with ADP Workforce Manager, eTime, or similar payroll and workforce management systems.
• Experience implementing process improvements, automation, reporting enhancements, or AI-driven operational solutions.
• Knowledge of multi-state payroll administration and wage and hour compliance.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) is a plus.

Values in Action

At Hearst Television we tell stories every day. Stories about people of all backgrounds, perspectives, and identities. That's why, behind the scenes, we believe in being an organization that fosters collaboration and open communication, ensuring that the content we create is authentic, accurate, and connected to the communities we serve.

Benefits

Hearst's benefit programs are modern, flexible and designed to focus on you. As a Hearst employee, you and your spouse or partner or dependents would have access to the following benefits.

• Medical | Dental | Vision
• 401(k) matching
• Emotional Wellness Support
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave
• LGBTQ+ Health Services

Additional benefits to meet your and your family's needs