Payroll Manager

Role overview

The Detroit Pistons are seeking a payroll leader who can support a mission-driven organization focused on bringing people together through basketball and community impact. This position is responsible for managing payroll across the organization, including NBA players, future WNBA personnel, coaches, basketball operations employees, business staff, and part-time or event workers.

The role calls for strong expertise in payroll law, league requirements, tax compliance, and the careful handling of highly confidential information. The successful candidate should also be able to identify opportunities to improve and modernize payroll workflows and systems.

Key responsibilities

• Run payroll from start to finish for all worker groups, including salaried staff, part-time employees, athletes, coaches, and game-day personnel.
• Manage payroll for employees across multiple states, provinces, and international locations, and communicate with players and their representatives as needed.
• Work with league contacts to stay aligned with league rules, collective bargaining agreements, and tax obligations.
• Interpret compensation arrangements and ensure earnings are coded and processed correctly.
• Administer and review employee deductions, including 401(k) contributions and garnishments.
• Oversee payroll-related audits and information requests, including reviews tied to 401(k), workers’ compensation, financial controls, and league or regulatory matters.
• Examine and sign off on payroll tax filings, while ensuring taxes and statutory deductions are paid on time.
• Prepare cash management reporting for completed payrolls and future payroll projections.
• Support year-end tax reporting and reconciliation activities.
• Partner with HR to oversee HRIS and payroll systems, with a focus on data integrity, security, and system integration.
• Answer payroll questions from managers, employees, and authorized representatives, and resolve payment discrepancies.
• Assist with payroll journal entries and month-end payroll account reconciliations.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or equivalent payroll experience.
• At least 5–8+ years of payroll experience, including 2–3 years in a management role.
• Background in sports, entertainment, or similarly complex compensation and tax environments is strongly preferred.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification, or an equivalent credential, is considered an advantage.
• Solid understanding of 401(k) plans, compliance, and administration.
• Strong working knowledge of payroll legislation, tax rules, and compliance obligations; multi-jurisdiction experience is preferred.
• Exposure to collective bargaining agreements and athlete pay structures is a plus.

Skills and competencies

• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting ability.
• Discretion in handling confidential and sensitive information.
• Advanced Excel capability and familiarity with payroll systems such as Paylocity.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate across teams.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced environment with strict deadlines tied to the NBA and future WNBA calendar.

Working conditions

This role requires flexibility during payroll cycles, including bi-weekly and semi-monthly processing, the basketball season, and year-end close activities. The position also involves close coordination with basketball operations and accounting teams.

Preferred experience

• Experience managing player contracts, bonus payments, and endorsement-related compensation.
• Knowledge of NBA salary cap rules, escrow, and benefit programs under the NBA collective bargaining agreement.
• Experience with payroll in unionized environments and for high-profile employees.
• Experience applying the duty day method for allocating professional athlete compensation across states.

Equal opportunity and accommodations

The organization is committed to equal employment opportunity and maintains a workplace free from discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities during the application and interview process, while performing essential job duties, and when accessing employment benefits and privileges. Candidates who need assistance may request an accommodation.

Additional information

Employment decisions are made in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.