Senior Payroll Specialist

Accountabilities

• • Process accurate and timely biweekly and off-cycle payroll in accordance with internal policies and applicable regulations.
  • Process employee compensation transactions, including regular pay, time, leave, time-off, retroactive pay, one-time payments, and benefit adjustments.
  • Review and process final pay for terminated employees, including accrued time off and applicable severance.
  • Research and resolve complex payroll discrepancies and employee inquiries in partnership with HR Service teams and other stakeholders.
  • Manage payroll-related issues involving employee overpayments, ACH rejects, garnishments, taxable stock transactions, and related corrections and reconciliations.
  • Review leave-of-absence transactions and adjust time-off accruals when employees' scheduled hours change.
  • Create, audit, validate, and reconcile payroll upload files and other payroll-related transactions.
  • Coordinate with third-party payroll providers and garnishment administrators to establish, reconcile, and resolve payroll matters.
  • Maintain payroll documentation, internal controls, audit requirements, and compliance standards.
  • Identify, document, and escalate payroll risks and issues when appropriate.
  • Partner with HR, payroll, benefits, time and attendance, and external providers to maintain effective payroll operations.
  • Support payroll system testing, process improvement initiatives, projects, and other operational activities.
  • Train and mentor less experienced Payroll team members, sharing knowledge and best practices.
  • Ensure payroll transactions are accurately documented, reconciled, completed on schedule, and compliant with relevant requirements.

  Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • At least 3 years of progressive payroll processing experience, preferably within a large or complex organization.
  • Strong knowledge of biweekly payroll processing, time and attendance practices, leave administration, and applicable payroll regulations.
  • Hands-on experience with payroll adjustments, off-cycle payments, final pay, overpayments, garnishments, ACH transactions, and leave-related payroll activities.
  • Strong analytical, reconciliation, multitasking, and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent attention to detail and demonstrated ability to meet strict payroll deadlines.
  • Ability to independently manage complex payroll activities while maintaining accuracy and confidentiality.
  • Strong understanding of payroll accounting, reconciliations, audits, internal controls, compliance, and payroll documentation.
  • Excellent verbal and written English communication skills.
  • Ability to handle sensitive and confidential employee information with discretion and professionalism.
  • Experience with third-party payroll providers and garnishment administrators is preferred.
  • Experience with Workday Payroll, Workday HCM, or Workday Time and Attendance is preferred.
  • Experience supporting payroll system testing, process improvement initiatives, and related projects is preferred.
  • Experience training or mentoring payroll professionals is an advantage.

  Benefits

  • Competitive hourly compensation of $22.61–$33.00 per hour, depending on skills, training, experience, education, market conditions, and applicable credentials.
  • Competitive benefits package.
  • Fully remote work arrangement.
  • 11-month contract duration.
  • Opportunity to work in a complex payroll environment with cross-functional HR and business teams.
  • Opportunities to contribute to payroll technology, process improvement, system testing, and operational projects.
  • Professional development and mentoring opportunities through collaboration with experienced payroll professionals.