Payroll Specialist

Job Description

Role: Payroll Specialist

Reports To: Natasha Chohan 

Location: Atlanta 

Workplace Type: We ask all employees to work a hybrid schedule, with a minimum 3x/week in their local office. We welcome employees to utilize office space more than that where possible.

The Role

We are seeking an execution-focused, detail-oriented Payroll & HR Operations Specialist to join our growing People & Culture (P&C) team in Atlanta.

This role is responsible for the accurate, timely, and compliant execution of end-to-end semi-monthly payroll, as well as providing core operational, system administration, and generalist support across the full employee lifecycle. The ideal candidate brings a high level of discretion, strong data controls, a proactive mindset, and a passion for supporting associates and delivering a positive employee experience.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll & Compliance 

• End-to-End Payroll: Own and execute semi-monthly payroll for all US associates, accurately processing new hires, terminations, salary adjustments, deductions, variable pay, and benefits changes. 
• Record Management: Maintaining accurate documentation, audit trails, self - quality checks, catching errors before final review and ensuring final data integrity. 
• Paid Time Off (PTO) & Leave Accounting: Coordinate pay for associates on leave (FMLA, short-term disability, parental leave).
• Commissions & Incentives: Quality check of calculations, tracking, and approvals for monthly commissions and quarterly incentive payouts in alignment with Finance and Commercial Leaders.
• Audit & Reconciliation: Conduct routine payroll reconciliations, partner with Finance on commission entries/discrepancies, and support internal/external payroll audits with clean audit trails.
• Payroll Compliance & Inquiries: Ensure adherence to FLSA regulations and exempt/non-exempt classifications. Serve as the primary contact for employee inquiries regarding paystubs, withholdings, and pay adjustments.
• Process Documentation & Controls: Develop, standardize, and maintain SOPs and operational controls for HR and payroll workflows to increase efficiency and mitigate risk.
• Reporting & Reconciliation: Generate payroll reports for finance/accounting teams and reconcile payroll ledger accounts.
• Employee Support: Serve as the primary point of contact for employee payroll inquiries and resolving payment discrepancies
• SOX & Internal Controls: Maintain, review, and document Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and key internal controls for payroll workflows to reduce fraud and manual error.
• Tax Administration: Manage state and local payroll tax registrations, SIT/SUI compliance, tax rate adjustments, annual W-2 processing, and related tax agency correspondence.
• Year-End Planning: Lead year-end readiness initiatives, including W-2/1099 verification, taxable fringe benefit adjustments (e.g., company cars, relocation, gifts), and bonus run preparation.

HR Operations & Benefits 

• HR Data & Systems: Maintain employee records, system setup, and data integrity in Rippling. Complete monthly audits and reporting for business partners and Operations. 
• Data Integration: Maintain payroll software configurations, review system integrations (HRIS, time/attendance, benefit admin portals), and troubleshoot data sync errors between systems.
• Benefits Reconciliation: Partner with Benefits/HR to ensure benefit deductions match actual carrier billings and handle catch-up contributions or manual adjustments.
• Employee Lifecycle & Benefits: Support seamless onboarding and offboarding activities. Assist with benefits administration (enrollment, 401(k), LOA, COBRA, ACA) and ensure changes sync properly with payroll.
• General HR Support & Compliance: Support compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws. Assist with general P&C initiatives from time to time. 

Key Requirements

• 5+plus years of experience in payroll and/or HR operations with strong hands on payroll experience 
• Obsession with detail orientation, organised and committed to get things right
• Naturally focused on quality, controls and identifying issues before they become problems.
• Comfortable working with payroll/HRIS systems, excel, data, reconciliations and reporting 
• Strong understanding of payroll processes, compliance and applicable employment requirements.
• Able to manage confidential information, recurring deadlines and competing priorities with discretion and judgement.
• A proactive problem solver who takes ownership and follows issue through to resolution 
• A clear and collaborative communicator who works effectively with Finance, HR, employees and external partners.

Why World 50 Group?

The World 50 Group Way is our unified cultural framework that defines who we are and how we operate, shaped by insights and input from our associates. It brings together our mission, purpose, values, and DNA to foster a culture of community, collaboration, learning, and lasting impact.

Our DNA - How we show up

Member Obsessed: Building real connections and helping our members win is what drives us.

Entrepreneurial: We see challenges as chances to get creative and make things happen.

Collaborators: We’re stronger together: we share ideas, support each other, and create amazing experiences as one team.

Learners: We stay curious, keep growing, and never stop learning.

Humble: We aim high but leave our egos at the door - it’s about progress, not perfection.

Community: We celebrate wins, hold each other accountable, and have plenty of laughs along the way.

As a purpose driven company, we’re dedicated to building a workplace where people from different backgrounds can do their best work. Our company value One & All, demonstrates our commitment to creating a place where every individual feels seen, supported, and free to bring their whole selves to work. When people feel genuinely valued and included, they’re more engaged and effective. That’s why we focus on cultivating an environment that celebrates difference, empowers connection, and accelerates the success of our members and their organisations.