Payroll Manager

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 Team

As part of the Business organization, Accounting ensures the financial integrity of Valar Atomics through accurate reporting, strong internal controls, and sound financial stewardship. The team supports strategic decision-making by delivering timely financial information while maintaining compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements. 

The Role

We're looking for an experienced and detail-oriented Payroll 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

• 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.
• Maintain payroll records and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour laws, tax regulations, and reporting requirements.
• Oversee payroll tax filings, reconciliations, W-2 preparation, and year-end close activities.
• Partner with HR to manage changes related to new hires, terminations, leaves of absence, compensation adjustments, and benefits deductions.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee payroll inquiries, resolving issues with professionalism and discretion.
• Continuously evaluate and improve payroll processes, systems, and controls to enhance accuracy and efficiency.
• Administer the company's T&E program, including policy governance, expense report review and approval workflows, and reimbursement processing.
• Ensure employee expense submissions comply with company policy and IRS requirements, and identify and address policy exceptions and errors.
• Manage relationships with T&E platform vendors and corporate card program administrators (e.g., Ramp and Navan).