Payroll Manager

About Our Company

Lids Sports Group is the largest licensed sports retailer in North America, selling fan and fashion-oriented headwear and apparel across the US and abroad. Operating out of Indianapolis, IN, our retail stores offer officially licensed headwear and apparel from collegiate and professional sports teams, plus top brands like Nike, New Era, Lululemon, and Mitchell & Ness. In addition to our wide assortment, we are the industry leader in on demand customization.

We currently operate 1,300 brick and mortar locations, including specialty concept stores for the NBA, NHL, Paris Saint-Germain, and the two largest MLB franchises, via our Yankees & Dodgers Clubhouse stores. Lids has built partnerships and collaborations with iconic global brands including Marvel/Disney, Playboy, Travis Scott’s Cactus Jack, and Post Malone, creating a community where fans, fashion, and culture collide.

General Position Summary

As the Payroll Manager, you will lead day-to-day payroll operations, support new and existing pay programs, and drive process improvement. This position offers the opportunity to positively impact payroll operations in the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico, as well as international entities in the UK, Germany, France, and the Netherlands. Additionally, this role will involve working cross-functionally with Lids' HR, Finance, Operations, and HRIS teams. This position is highly visible throughout the Lids organization and is a great fit for someone with a customer-focused mindset with a strong analytical aptitude.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities

• Leads domestic and international company payroll processing, while actively ensuring adherence to Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) regulations, including maintaining accurate payroll records, implementing robust internal controls, and monitoring compliance with relevant financial reporting standards, all while managing the payroll team and ensuring timely and accurate payroll distribution
• Responsible for managing and processing monthly payroll in international entities of the UK, Germany, France, and the Netherlands. Manage relationships with local payroll providers, ensuring accurate data transfer and timely processing of payroll payment.
• Identifies and implements payroll process improvements and best practices, driving improved customer service levels and eliminating unnecessary payroll errors.
• Monitors payroll-related transactions and verify that they are processed in compliance with external and internal policies.
• Maintains knowledge of payroll-related domestic and international rules and laws that govern the payroll administration practices. Applies professional and technical knowledge, skills and judgment to ensure accurate and timely payroll processing. Stays updated on changes in payroll and tax legislation and implement necessary changes to maintain compliance.
• Reconciles errors and maintains payroll records. Audits payroll data changes to ensure validity and accuracy. Responsible for the data integrity of the payroll systems and ensures accuracy of employee information and cost centers.
• Drives the resolution for technical, system or other payroll issues. Monitoring system reports and alerts leadership of problems or errors.
• Stays updated on changes in payroll and tax legislation and implement necessary changes to maintain compliance.
• Support internal and external audits by providing accurate payroll documentation and information. Assist with payroll-related audits and investigations as needed, providing documentation and support for each pay cycle, pay entity, and state tax jurisdiction as required.
• Continuously identify opportunities for process improvements and efficiency enhancements within the payroll function, particularly in managing multiple pay cycles, pay entities, state tax compliance, and HR system integration.

Additional Responsibilities

• Develop system reporting to provide relevant and timely data and analyses. Uses analytical approach to create metrics to provide to business partners to assist in critical business decisions.
• Communicate with department heads, managers and others on payroll policies and procedures to ensure smooth ongoing payroll operations.
• Resolve payroll inquiries to ensure a timely, equitable and courteous resolution, process adjustments as necessary.
• Lead and manage 2-3 payroll specialists, providing guidance, training and performance evaluations.
• Oversee external and internal partnerships that facilitate payroll processes, including garnishment administration, bonuses, benefits administration, etc.
• Maintains an exceptional attention to detail.
• Utilizes organizational and prioritizing skills to manage multiple ongoing projects.
• Manages regular preparation of relevant reports, including monthly, quarterly and year-end. (Gross payroll hours worked, paid leave accrual, tax deductions, benefit deductions, workers compensation, legal requests.)
• Perform all other duties as assigned with a willingness to adapt to changing department demands. This includes HRIS-related projects as well as implementing payroll related programs and efforts.

Job Required Knowledge, Skills, and Education

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 4 years of payroll experience, working with both payroll and time and attendance systems. Prior experience with global payroll is preferred.
• 1 years in a prior manager role with direct reports
• Advanced knowledge of Excel required (i.e. Advanced formulas, pivot tables, lookups, and index abilities)
• Understanding of SOX regulations and internal control framework
• Strong analytical, organizational, troubleshooting and problem-resolution skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills. Must be able to communicate effectively with a large remote workforce.
• Ability to work under pressure and multitask within time-sensitive constraints.
• Proven experience managing payroll operations in a complex environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively with others.
• Understanding of time and attendance and non-exempt pay requirements by state.
• Good understanding of basic accounting principles; knowledge and experience with journal entries and reconciliations
• Demonstrates sound judgment and discretion when handling confidential information.

Reports to

• HR Director

Salary Range

• $80,000 - $100,000

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. LIDS Sports Group maintains the right to modify all or part of any job description at its discretion to meet and or exceed the needs of the business.

#LI-TC2

EEO Statement:
Hat World, Inc., Lids Holdings, Inc., dba Lids and subsidiaries is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to complying with all federal, state, and local EEO laws. Hat World, Inc., prohibits discrimination against employees and applicants for employment based on the individual's race or color, religion or creed, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, marital status, sex, pregnancy status, age, military status, disability, or any other protected characteristic or class protected by law. Hat World, Inc. provides reasonable accommodation for disabilities in accordance with applicable laws.

Notice to Applicants:
In connection with your application, we collect information that identifies, reasonably relates to or describes you (“Personal Information”). The categories of Personal Information that we collect include your name, government issued identification number(s), email address, mailing address, other contact information, emergency contact information, employment history, educational history, criminal record, and demographic information. We collect and use those categories of Personal Information about you for human resources and other business management purposes, including identifying and evaluating you as a candidate for potential or future employment or future contract positions, recordkeeping in relation to recruiting and hiring, conducting criminal background checks as permitted by law, conducting analytics, and ensuring compliance with applicable legal requirements and Company policies.

Need accessibility assistance to apply?
Applicants who require accessibility assistance to submit an employment application, please email us at onboardingsupport@lids.com. A member of our Talent team will respond as soon as reasonably possible. This email address and is only for individuals seeking accommodation when applying for a career at Lids.

Req ID: 21839 

Location: Corporate Office 

Salary : $80,000 - $100,000