Senior Payroll Manager

MARS Energy Group

Position Title: Senior Payroll Manager
Department: Finance
Reports To: VP of Finance
Employment Type: Full Time

About MARS Energy Group

MARS Energy Group is a vertically integrated renewable energy company delivering commercial, utility-scale, residential, and public works solar energy projects across multiple states. Our team supports the entire project lifecycle through engineering, construction, and long-term operations while maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality, and compliance. MARS Energy Group is seeking an experienced Senior Payroll Manager to join our growing team in Rocklin, CA. This role is responsible for overseeing accurate weekly payroll processing, prevailing wage compliance, certified payroll reporting, and payroll-related regulatory requirements.

The ideal candidate has experience with ADP Workforce Now, full-cycle payroll processing, and prevailing wage projects. We're looking for a highly organized, detail-oriented professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is committed to accuracy, compliance, and exceptional employee support.

Key Responsibilities

• Process accurate and timely weekly payroll for all employees.
• Manage prevailing wage compliance and certified payroll requirements for public works projects.
• Support, review, certified payroll reports in accordance with federal and state regulations.
• Reconcile payroll discrepancies and resolve payroll-related issues promptly.
• Administer employee deductions, garnishments, and tax withholdings.
• Process employees pay rate changes, personal information updates, and employment status changes.
• Prepare and issue final paychecks in compliance with state labor laws.
• Coordinate employee separations and prepare offboarding documentation and packets.
• Manage Employment Development Department (EDD) correspondence and unemployment insurance (UI) accounts, including new state UI account setup.
• Prepare monthly payroll and compliance reports for WECA, DIR, Finance, and other regulatory agencies.
• Prepare payroll reports for workers' compensation premium reporting and General Liability (GL) reporting.
• Complete Owner Controlled Insurance Program (OCIP) reporting and ensure compliance with project-specific insurance requirements.
• Coordinate and support annual payroll audits, including 401(k), Workers' Compensation, General Liability, certified payroll, and other regulatory audits.
• Partner with Human Resources, Operations, Project Managers, and Finance to ensure payroll accuracy, compliance, and timely reporting.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local payroll, tax, labor, and prevailing wage regulations.
• Maintain confidentiality of employee information while providing exceptional employee support in a fast-paced environment.

Required Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent
• 3+ years of full-cycle payroll experience
• 2+ years of prevailing wage experience
• 2+ years of ADP Workforce Now experience
• Experience with certified payroll reporting
• Experience supporting construction, public works, government contracting, or similar industries
• Knowledge of federal, multi-state, and local payroll compliance requirements

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor's degree in human resources, Business Administration, Accounting, or a related field preferred
• Experience processing payroll for 300+ employees
• Experience supporting both exempt and non-exempt employees
• Experience with LCPtracker, DIR, Dily, Dispatch, or similar certified payroll software

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Proven ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with complete discretion
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• Clear and professional verbal and written communication skills
• Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively in a team environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook); familiarity with HRIS or payroll platforms is a plus

 Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting and working at a computer.
• Regular use of standard office equipment, including computers, phones, printers, and scanners.
• Ability to communicate effectively with employees, customers, vendors, and other business partners in person, by phone, and electronically.
• Ability to occasionally lift and move office materials and files weighing up to 15 pounds.
• Visual acuity sufficient to review financial data, reports, spreadsheets, and other business documents.
• Ability to occasionally bend, reach, stoop, and move throughout the office environment.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Company-paid Life Insurance
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Paid Sick Time, PTO,
• Paid holidays
• Cell Phone Reimbursement (working mobile device required)
• Team Building Events