Senior Payroll Specialist

Title: Senior Payroll Specialist
Compensation: $80,000–$98,000 annually, depending on experience
Location: Hybrid – Minneapolis, MN

About the Job:
Lakeside HR Group has been engaged by our client to recruit for a Senior Payroll Specialist to join their team. Our client is a mission-driven healthcare organization dedicated to improving lives through essential services that impact individuals, families, and communities across the region. They are known for their collaborative culture, strong values, commitment to innovation, and investment in employee growth and well-being.

This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced payroll professional looking to own and elevate the payroll function. As the organization's payroll subject matter expert, you'll lead end-to-end payroll operations, ensure compliance across multiple states, optimize payroll systems and processes, and partner with leaders across HR, Finance, IT, and Benefits. If you enjoy solving complex payroll challenges while improving processes and delivering an exceptional employee experience, this role offers both strategic influence and hands-on responsibility.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage and oversee the organization's complete payroll process for hourly and salaried employees.
• Ensure accurate, timely, and compliant multi-state payroll processing.
• Serve as the organization's payroll subject matter expert and primary resource for leaders and employees.
• Maintain and optimize payroll, timekeeping, and HRIS systems, including configuration and ongoing enhancements.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations and tax requirements.
• Process payroll changes including new hires, terminations, bonuses, retroactive pay, garnishments, and tax updates.
• Analyze payroll data, identify trends, and recommend process improvements.
• Partner with HR, Finance, IT, Benefits, and external vendors to support audits, reporting, and system upgrades.
• Lead payroll-related testing, implementations, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain strict confidentiality while providing exceptional customer service to employees and leadership.

Required Skills:

• Requires a combination of education and experience equivalent to 7+ years in payroll, accounting, or related area.
• Requires a minimum of 5 years of payroll processing experience
• CPP, FPC, or equivalent certification preferred
• Experience with cloud based payroll systems, timekeeping (HRIS/UKG).
• Demonstrated experience making discretionary decisions in complex or ambiguous regulatory environments.
• Extensive knowledge of multi‑state payroll tax compliance
• Strong working knowledge of Excel, Word, and other Microsoft Office applications
• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively; highly organized, detail‑oriented, and analytical
• Strong communication skills with the ability to build rapport across diverse groups
• Demonstrated integrity and strict adherence to confidentiality

Benefits:

• Competitive salary
• Hybrid work environment
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• 401(k) with employer matching
• Generous paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employer HSA contributions
• Professional development opportunities
• Wellness and resiliency resources

About Lakeside HR Group:

At Lakeside HR Group, we understand that finding the right job is essential for your career success. We are a boutique-style human resources consulting and recruiting firm dedicated to providing personalized, tailored solutions. When you partner with us, you are not just getting a recruiter; you are getting the entire Lakeside team working together to support your career goals.

Partner with us at Lakeside HR Group, where we are more than just a recruiting firm; we are your partners in achieving your career aspirations.