Contractor Payments Manager

Job Details: Job Location: Office - Scottsdale, AZ, Salary Range: Undisclosed, Making Your Next Move Count 

At Openforce, you'll find a career experience that challenges you, satisfies you, and makes you proud of where you work. Teamwork and transparent communication are hallmarks of our culture, and our focus is on high performance and high standards for customer service and delivery. Openforce is a well-established company with an excellent reputation in our industry — and a distinctly start-up feel. We deliver the leading integrated cloud software suite for the independent contracting community, spanning recruiting, onboarding, contractor payroll and settlements, compliance, insurance, and retention. 

Job Purpose 

The Contractor Payments Manager is responsible for overseeing the team that processes contractor payroll — known internally as “settlements” — for a wide range of client submissions, directing payroll procedures to ensure timely, accurate completion and disbursement of funds to independent contractors on the targeted date. This individual is also responsible for building and maintaining strong client relationships to support seamless transactions. 

General Summary

The Contractor Payments Manager maintains expert knowledge of contractor payroll (settlement) processes within Openforce to support clients with their payroll processing needs and ensure overall client satisfaction. 

This individual provides timely solutions to clients' payroll concerns, shows initiative and drive when addressing client payroll requests, and remains a visible, first-level “go-to” resource for the team — leading, mentoring, and coaching team members while providing guidance and direction in accordance with established policies and procedures. This position also holds regular one-on-ones, sets performance measures, and conducts performance reviews focused on developing team members and helping them grow in their roles. 

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Operations 

Manages the day-to-day operations of the Contractor Payments Team and serves as the escalation point for all matters specific to client payroll (settlements), both internally and externally. 

Monitors client payroll submissions and ensures timely action is taken by the respective team members. 

Assists in training new additions to the team. 

Actively participates in leadership team meetings and acts as a voice for the Contractor Payments Team in those meetings. 

Quality & Process Improvement 

Performs quality assurance reviews of processed payroll (settlements) and newly configured deductions, resolving errors by identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions to reduce errors resulting from manual processes. 

Serves as a change agent, identifying opportunities to optimize outdated or inefficient payroll processes — both internally and with clients — and leads initiatives to streamline submissions, gain efficiencies, and reduce margin of error. 

Helps ensure a smooth transition between implementation and the payroll team following initial enrollment and other onboarding activities. 

Adds to knowledge base content and ensures user adoption. 

Continually develops and maintains product, industry, and systems knowledge and skills. 

Client Relationship Management 

Maintains a strong relationship with internal partners such as Client Services, Strategic Account Management, Accounting, Product, and Engineering teams. 

Uses multiple tools and research resources to develop accurate and comprehensive responses to a wide range of client inquiries regarding payroll practices. 

Works closely with the Strategic Account Manager to address client requests for guidance and best practices, and ensures the team provides proactive updates and information to clients. 

Works closely with payroll and accounting staff at client offices to ensure alignment on payroll processes, timing, and reporting needs. 

Partners with company executives to discuss and determine changes to payroll schedules or distribution methods. 

Reporting & Financial Oversight 

Prepares and analyzes weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports on payroll activity, identifying trends and providing insights to inform internal decision-making. 

Oversees accounts receivable invoicing related to payroll activity and leads collection efforts on outstanding balances. 

Qualifications: Key Competencies & Skills 

Communication (Written & Verbal) — Speaks and writes clearly and succinctly across a variety of settings; gets messages across with the desired effect. Strives for closed-loop communication by proactively anticipating “the next question.” 

Listening — Practices attentive, active listening; has the patience to hear people out and can accurately restate the opinions of others. 

Problem Analysis & Problem Solving — Takes time to properly define the problem and demonstrates patience. Looks beyond the obvious and doesn't stop at the first answer; asks others for input. 

Customer Focus — Dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers. 

Quality Focus — Maintains a high level of commitment to not only doing the job, but doing it well — knowing the ins and outs of our products and services, down to the last detail, to provide customers with the most comprehensive and efficient solutions possible. 

Fostering Teamwork — As a team member, works cooperatively with others; as a team leader, demonstrates interest, skill, and success in getting groups to work together effectively. 

Accountability — Completes assigned tasks, performs the duties required by the position, and is present for scheduled shifts in order to fulfill and further the goals of the organization. 

Education & Other Requirements

3+ years leading a team responsible for high-volume, deadline-driven transaction processing or client payroll/settlement operations. Candidates must have direct, hands-on experience managing, coaching, and developing people; individual-contributor experience alone does not meet this requirement.
Demonstrated experience as a change agent — leading a team through new processes, systems, or organizational change.
Knowledge of contractor payroll and settlement processes, including wage and hour principles.
Bachelor's degree or comparable job experience.
Knowledge of customer service principles and practices.
Intermediate proficiency in MS Office applications (e.g., Outlook, Word, Excel).
Experience managing client-facing settlement relationships in a SaaS or technology environment (preferred).
 

The Perks

Continued training and career development. 

Full benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and 401(k). 

Vacation and holiday pay.

Reports To: Chief Experience Officer

Job Type: Exempt, Full-Time

Pay: DOE

Location: Remote

Travel: As Needed

Passion, excellence, respect, accountability, and having fun are just the beginning. Openforce believes that culture is at the core of what makes us successful. We're looking for someone who understands good culture and will help shape it as it evolves.