Senior Payroll Specialist

Pay Range: $25.00hr - $30.00hr

Job Overview:

The Payroll Specialist will process full-cycle payroll for U.S. employees, supporting approximately 6,000 employees across two payrolls. Working alongside the payroll lead and HR Operations team, the candidate will manage multi-state payroll, validate time imports, support payroll tax activities, administer deductions, reconcile discrepancies, and ensure ongoing compliance with internal policies and external regulations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Process full-cycle payroll for U.S. employees (approximately 6,000 employees across two payrolls).
• Collaborate with the payroll lead and HR Operations team to ensure accurate and timely payroll processing.
• Manage time data imports, validate hours worked, and ensure accurate payment to employees.
• Administer multi-state payroll, including state-specific tax requirements and regulations.
• Support payroll tax activities, including knowledge of statutory deductions and tax reconciliation.
• Handle garnishments and other voluntary/involuntary deductions.
• Reconcile payroll discrepancies and resolve employee payroll inquiries in a timely and professional manner.
• Support payroll audits and ensure ongoing compliance with internal policies and external regulations.
• Participate in process improvement efforts to enhance the efficiency of the payroll function.
• Assist in evaluating the long-term viability of the contractor role for permanent headcount needs.
• Oversee the end-to-end payroll process, ensuring timely and accurate payroll runs.
• Review payroll reports for discrepancies and resolve issues in a timely manner.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations.
• Perform reconciliations, audits, and overpayment recovery activities.
• Ensure all processes are followed, including confirming that payroll-related controls are performed, and report any issues.
• Address payroll-related queries from employees, providing exceptional customer service and support.
• Create ad-hoc payroll data reports and provide accurate data to management and business partners as needed.
• Assist with internal and external audits.
• Perform other related duties as required and assigned.

Qualifications:

• 5 years of payroll experience required.
• Proven experience processing end-to-end payroll (from time collection to payroll completion).
• Experience in high-volume payroll environments, ideally processing payroll for 5,000+ employees, especially in multi-state settings.
• Familiarity with payroll tax concepts, garnishments, and other standard payroll functions.
• Strong working knowledge of payroll systems: ADP GlobalView required, SAP (any module/version) acceptable.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to handle confidential information with integrity.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be located in Raleigh, Client or willing to work onsite daily.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• Candidates without a degree but with strong, relevant experience will still be considered.
• Experience supporting global organizations or companies with complex organizational structures.
• Experience with timekeeping systems and time data integration into payroll systems.
• Bachelor's degree with 3 years of payroll experience or High School diploma with 4-5 years of payroll experience.
• Good knowledge of payroll processes and compliance requirements including employment law and payroll legislation.
• Strong analytical skills with keen attention to detail.
• Experience working with unions is preferred.

Candidate Profile:

• A well-rounded payroll professional who possesses expertise in end-to-end payroll, taxes, garnishments, multi-state processing, and systems.
• A candidate who is collaborative, willing to learn, and eager to grow within the organization.
• Candidates who have worked in larger organizations or supported complex payroll scenarios will stand out.
• Flexibility to adjust to team needs and willingness to support long-term improvements in payroll efficiency.

General Information:

Payroll duties include the preparation and distribution of payroll, maintenance of individual payroll records, garnishments, and reporting. The role also consists of calculating overtime, shift differentials, and making subsequent adjustments as applicable.

Complexity of Tasks:

Knowledge of integrated, cross-functional business systems and critical thinking skills to investigate and resolve issues are required. The candidate must have experience in payroll administration as well as a strong knowledge of general labor law, payroll legislation, and accounting principles.

The candidate must be able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment and adapt well to changing priorities to meet deadlines. Ability to work in a flexible environment where requirements and procedures continuously evolve is necessary. The candidate should be highly ethical, analytical, team-oriented, flexible, inquisitive, logical, maintain confidential information discreetly, and protect employee privacy. The candidate must also be able to work independently to conduct investigations and resolve related matters.

Work Environment:

This role may be performed in an office setting or remotely. Flexibility may be required during peak payroll cycles or leave processing periods.