Manager, Accounts Payable and Payroll

Great Wolf Resorts - Chicago, IL

Full-time - Manager

Remote - Chicago, IL

1,001-5,000 employees

Accommodation

About the position

The Manager of Accounts Payable and Payroll is a pivotal role within the Chicago-based Accounting Team at Great Wolf Lodge. This position is responsible for overseeing the Accounts Payable and Payroll teams located in both Madison, WI, and Chicago, IL. The primary objective of this role is to ensure the effective delivery of Accounts Payable and Payroll functions across all Great Wolf Lodge properties, as well as corporate operations. The Manager will play a crucial role in driving best practices, implementing process improvements, and ensuring compliance in all areas related to accounts payable and payroll services. In this role, the Manager will lead and mentor the Accounts Payable and Payroll teams, fostering a culture that reflects the core values of Great Wolf Lodge. This includes driving team engagement through strong leadership principles, performance management, and effective communication. The Manager will also be responsible for providing training and development opportunities to ensure that staff members are proficient in their roles and have opportunities for professional growth. The Manager will produce and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs), dashboards, and analytics on a weekly and monthly basis to measure and improve team performance. Additionally, the role involves optimizing the performance of the centralized Accounts Payable and Payroll environment for all Great Wolf Lodge properties, with a focus on onboarding new properties in the future. The Manager will oversee department activities such as ACH and check disbursements, vendor invoice processing, and expense vouchers, ensuring that all transactions are complete, accurate, and processed in a timely manner. Compliance and internal controls are also critical components of this role. The Manager will implement and maintain internal controls to safeguard assets and ensure the integrity of financial records. This includes coordinating and supporting internal and external audits, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local legal requirements, and overseeing tax reporting processes such as 1099 and W-2 reporting. The Manager will also act as the primary point of contact for Accounts Payable and Payroll matters, managing vendor relationships and ensuring timely responses to both internal and external inquiries.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the Accounts Payable and Payroll Teams, fostering a culture reflective of Great Wolf's Values.
• Drive team engagement through strong leadership principles and practices, including performance management and interpersonal communication.
• Provide training and development opportunities to ensure staff proficiency and professional growth.
• Produce and analyze weekly/monthly KPIs, dashboards, and analytics to measure and improve performance.
• Optimize the performance of the centralized Accounts Payable and Payroll environment for all GWR properties.
• Oversee department activities such as ACH and check disbursements, vendor invoice processing, and expense vouchers to ensure accuracy and timeliness.
• Oversee day-to-day payroll processing and reporting in accordance with all applicable laws and corporate policies.
• Support cash management initiatives and controls by partnering with Operations, Finance, and Treasury.
• Leverage existing technology and implement new technology to enhance operational efficiency.
• Implement and maintain internal controls to safeguard assets and ensure the integrity of financial records.
• Coordinate and support internal and external audits, ensuring compliance with legal requirements.
• Act as the Accounts Payable and Payroll point of contact for escalations and urgent matters.
• Ensure timely responses to customers, both internal and external.
• Manage and maintain vendor relationships, including payment terms within company cash flow guidelines.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree and/or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years of relevant Accounts Payable and Payroll leadership experience.
• Ability to occasionally travel to Madison, WI and operating properties.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and facilitation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and influence others across organizational levels.
• Demonstrated success with developing, implementing, managing, and monitoring effective internal controls.
• Demonstrated change/project management skills, with the ability to establish priorities and deliver on commitments.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to problem solve and improve team efficiency using technology.
• Strong Microsoft Office Suite skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Nice-to-haves

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
• Experience in a Shared-Services model.
• Experience with a major theme park or brand hotel.
• Experience with Coupa procure to pay software solutions.
• Payroll experience with UltiPro (UKG).

Benefits

• Work from home options available.
• Full-time employment with a Monday to Friday schedule.