Mgr, Payroll & Payroll Tax

About Tegna

TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) helps people thrive in their local communities by providing the trusted local news and services that matter most. With 64 television stations in 51 U.S. markets, TEGNA reaches more than 100 million people monthly across the web, mobile apps, streaming, and linear television. Together, we are building a sustainable future for local news.

TEGNA Inc. is seeking a Manager, Payroll to lead day-to-day payroll operations for 6,000+ U.S.-based employees. This position is part of our Corporate HR Operations & Technology team and is based at WTHR in Indianapolis (hybrid onsite/remote schedule).

The ideal candidate has deep experience with UKG Pro and UKG Pro Workforce Management (WFM) and a track record of driving process improvement, automation, and integration—particularly through M&A activity and system consolidation. This role will play a key part in advancing payroll operations through AI and other emerging technologies that enhance accuracy, efficiency, and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team responsible for accurate, compliant, multi-state biweekly payroll processing.
• Manage and optimize UKG Pro and UKG Pro WFM configurations, pay-cycle audits, and system enhancements.
• Drive automation and continuous improvement using AI and digital tools to reduce manual work and strengthen controls.
• Support mergers, acquisitions, and integrations, ensuring new entities are seamlessly incorporated into payroll systems.
• Maintain SOX compliance, documentation, and audit readiness.
• Partner closely with HR, Finance, and IT to ensure alignment across payroll, HRIS, and accounting systems.
• Oversee year-end processes, W-2 issuance, and vendor relationships for garnishments, tax funding, and reporting.
• Develop and publish payroll metrics and dashboards to monitor accuracy, timeliness, and service quality.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years managing complex, multi-state payroll operations; team leadership experience required.
• Advanced experience with UKG Pro and UKG Pro WFM required.
• Experience with M&A, integrations, or system conversions strongly preferred.
• Solid understanding of payroll data flow to the general ledger and payroll tax compliance.
• Skilled in Excel and analytical reporting.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and documentation discipline.
• Proven ability to lead process improvement, automation, and cross-functional collaboration.

Benefits:

TEGNA offers comprehensive benefits designed to safeguard the physical, mental and financial health of our employees and their families. TEGNA offers two medical plan options for full and part-time employees through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, as well as access to dental and eye care coverage; fertility, surrogacy and adoption assistance; disability and life insurance.

Our 401(k) program offers full, part-time and temporary employees the opportunity to contribute 1% - 80% of their pay on a pre-tax basis to TEGNA’s 401(k). Contributions made up to the first 4% of pay are eligible for a 100% match from the company and are 100% vested from day one.

Regardless of participation in TEGNA medical plans, ALL employees and their eligible family members receive nine free virtual doctor’s appointments with a physician through Teladoc, and 12 free annual therapy sessions with a licensed clinician through Spring Health.

TEGNA offers a generous Paid Time Off (PTO) benefit as well as nine paid holidays per year. 

* Some jobs are covered by a collective bargaining agreement and thus some or all of the benefits described herein may not apply. For example, some newsroom bargaining unit employees receive health and retirement benefits under plans administered by the union.

Eeo Statement:

TEGNA Inc. is a proud equal opportunity employer. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, hiring and developing individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences to add to our collaborative culture. We value and consider applications from all qualified candidates without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, disability, medical condition, enrollment in college or vocational school, political affiliation, military or veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. TEGNA will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law. If you are in need of an accommodation in order to submit your application, please email askhr@tegna.com 

Recruiting Fraud Alert:

To all candidates: your personal information and online safety are important to us. Only TEGNA Recruiters or Hiring Managers will reach out to you regarding consideration of your application or background.  Communications with TEGNA employees will either come from a TEGNA email address with a domain of tegna.com or one of our affiliate station domains.  

Recruiters or Hiring Managers will never request payments, ask for financial account information or sensitive information such as social security numbers. 

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