Manager / Sr. Manager of Payroll and T&E at Valar Atomics

HawthorneFull-timePosted 23 days ago

About the Role

About Valar Atomics At Valar Atomics, we're redefining what's possible in energy. Our mission is to make clean, high-temperature nuclear power scalable—unlocking abundant energy for industry, hydrogen, and next-generation manufacturing. We are a team of builders, engineers, and operators who believe nuclear energy should be fast to deploy, factory-made, and built for the real world. Our first pilot plant in Orangeville, Utah will demonstrate how advanced nuclear systems and fuel fabrication can power the future. Joining Valar Atomics means becoming part of a company where autonomy, ownership, and impact exist at every level. The Role We're looking for an experienced and detail-oriented Payroll and Travel & Expense (T&E) Manager to oversee all aspects of payroll processing and employee expense management. This role is critical to ensuring accurate and timely compensation for our employees while maintaining compliance with applicable laws and internal policies. The ideal candidate brings deep functional expertise, a process-improvement mindset, and the ability to partner cross-functionally with HR, Finance, and business leaders. Key Responsibilities <ul class="[li_&]:mb-0 [li_&]:mt-1 [li_&]:gap-1 [&:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3"> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Manage end-to-end payroll processing for a rapidly growing employee base across multiple states, ensuring accuracy and timeliness in line with our payroll cycle.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Maintain payroll records and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour laws, tax regulations, and reporting requirements.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Oversee payroll tax filings, reconciliations, W-2 preparation, and year-end close activities.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Partner with HR to manage changes related to new hires, terminations, leaves of absence, compensation adjustments, and benefits deductions.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Serve as the primary point of contact for employee payroll inquiries, resolving issues with professionalism and discretion.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Continuously evaluate and improve payroll processes, systems, and controls to enhance accuracy and efficiency.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Administer the company's T&E program, including policy governance, expense report review and approval workflows, and reimbursement processing.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Ensure employee expense submissions comply with company policy and IRS requirements, and identify and address policy exceptions and errors.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Manage relationships with T&E platform vendors and corporate card program administrators (e.g., Ramp and Navan).</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Produce regular T&E reporting and analytics to provide visibility into spend trends and support budget management.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Educate employees and managers on T&E policy and best practices, and update the policy as business needs evolve.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Support system implementations, upgrades, and integrations related to payroll and expense platforms.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Maintain a "no job too small" mentality, contributing to special projects and cross-functional initiatives as needed within the general scope of the role.</li> </ul> You Will Be Successful in This Role If <ul class="[li_&]:mb-0 [li_&]:mt-1 [li_&]:gap-1 [&:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3"> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">You hold a high bar for accuracy and timeliness, recognizing that payroll errors land in employees' pockets and trust is built one cycle at a time.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">You bring deep functional expertise in payroll and T&E and apply it with a process-improvement mindset rather than running on autopilot.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">You handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism, especially when employees are looking to you to resolve sensitive issues.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">You partner effectively across HR, Finance, and the broader business, translating policy and compliance requirements into clear guidance for non-specialists.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">You stay organized under competing priorities and adapt quickly in an ambiguous, rapidly changing environment.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">You take ownership of the end-to-end experience, from system configuration to employee education to year-end close.</li> </ul> Basic Qualifications <ul class="[li_&]:mb-0 [li_&]:mt-1 [li_&]:gap-1 [&:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3"> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">5+ years of payroll experience in a fast-paced, high-growth environment, including multi-state payroll.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Solid understanding of federal and state payroll tax laws and wage and hour regulations.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Experience administering a corporate T&E program.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Proficiency with a major payroll system (e.g., ADP, Workday, Rippling) and Microsoft Excel.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Highly organized and detail-oriented, with a strong sense of discretion when handling confidential information.</li> </ul> Preferred Skills and Experience <ul class="[li_&]:mb-0 [li_&]:mt-1 [li_&]:gap-1 [&:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3"> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Experience with Rippling.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Familiarity with expense management tools such as Ramp.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Experience partnering with HR and Finance on compensation planning, audits, or system implementations.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Exposure to multi-entity, multi-currency, or international payroll processing.</li> <li class="whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Comfort working in ambiguous, rapidly changing environments with competing priorities.</li> </ul> What We Offer   <ul> <li>Competitive base salary </li> <li>Equity ownership in a rapidly growing advanced energy company </li> <li>Comprehensive medical benefits </li> <li>Free daily lunch and dinner provided onsite </li> <li>High-impact startup environment with significant ownership and autonomy </li> <li>Opportunities for rapid career growth and internal advancement </li> <li>Direct collaboration with experienced operators, engineers, and industry leaders </li> <li>The opportunity to help build and scale transformative energy technology from the ground up</li> </ul> Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Valar Atomics is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law. We are committed to providing a workplace free of discrimination and harassment and will provide reasonable accommodation as required by law. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States as a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder).<div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="title">Salary</div><div class="pay-range">$130,000—$190,000 USD</div></div></div>

About the Role

About the Role

Related Roles

About the Role

Related Roles