Payroll Analyst II

About the role

Develops, proposes and/or implements methods, processes or programs related to payroll, and advises managers and/or employees accordingly for (an) assigned organization(s). We are seeking a Payroll Analyst with strong expertise in US payroll processes, advanced Excel skills, and the ability to think outside the box to optimize standard payroll tasks. The ideal candidate will have 3–5 years of experience in full-cycle payroll processing, with a focus on managing outsourced payroll vendors. You will play a crucial role in improving payroll operations, ensuring accuracy, and contributing to continuous process improvements within the payroll function.

Responsibilities

• Full-Cycle Payroll Processing (US): Oversee the full-cycle payroll process for all US employees, including gathering timesheets, processing pay data, calculating earnings, deductions, and ensuring accurate and timely payroll disbursement.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations, including tax filings, tax deposits, and year-end reporting (W-2s).
• Handle complex payroll calculations for overtime, bonuses, commissions, and employee deductions while ensuring compliance with company policies and legal requirements.
• Outsourced Payroll Vendor Management: Collaborate with and manage relationships with outsourced payroll vendors to ensure timely and accurate payroll processing.
• Serve as the primary contact for vendor-related issues and work to troubleshoot and resolve payroll discrepancies.
• Monitor and ensure vendors meet service-level agreements (SLAs) and contractual obligations, while recommending process optimizations to improve payroll efficiency.
• Advanced Excel & Data Reporting: Use advanced Excel skills to generate complex reports, analyze payroll data, and automate payroll tasks to improve efficiency.
• Develop Excel-based tools to streamline payroll operations and track key payroll metrics.
• Analyze payroll trends and data to identify areas of improvement and provide insights to management.
• Business Change & Process Improvement: Evaluate payroll processes to identify inefficiencies and recommend solutions to streamline payroll operations and improve overall efficiency.
• Lead initiatives to improve payroll workflows, including the implementation of automation and process improvements.
• Collaborate with HR, IT, and Finance teams to implement changes in payroll systems, processes, and reporting mechanisms.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimize payroll-related tasks and systems.
• ServiceNow/CRM System Experience: Utilize ServiceNow or a similar CRM system to manage payroll-related service requests, track payroll inquiries, and ensure timely resolution of issues.
• Maintain and update payroll records within CRM systems, ensuring accurate and up-to-date information is available for reporting and analysis.
• Leverage CRM tools to enhance communication and collaboration between payroll, HR, and employees.
• Communication & Collaboration: Provide exceptional customer service by addressing payroll-related inquiries and resolving issues promptly and professionally.
• Communicate complex payroll and tax-related matters to employees and management in an easy-to-understand manner.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, IT, and other teams to improve payroll processes, enhance system integrations, and streamline reporting.
• Ensure clear communication with outsourced payroll vendors and union representatives to maintain smooth payroll operations.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in US payroll processing, including full-cycle payroll responsibilities, and outsourced payroll vendor management.
• Experience with ServiceNow, CRM systems, or similar tools to manage payroll-related requests and service inquiries is highly preferred.
• Proven track record in business change and process improvement in a payroll function.

Skills

• Advanced Excel skills, including proficiency in pivot tables, VLOOKUP, complex formulas, and data analysis/reporting automation.
• Strong knowledge of US payroll tax laws and regulations, including compliance with federal, state, and local tax requirements.
• Experience in managing union payroll processes and handling collective bargaining agreement (CBA) provisions.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to explain complex payroll issues to employees and management in a clear and understandable manner.
• Ability to think outside the box to identify innovative solutions for improving payroll tasks and enhancing operational efficiency.

Additional Attributes

• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, collaborating effectively with other departments such as HR, Finance, and IT.
• Ability to drive continuous improvement within the payroll function and implement change management strategies.

Pay

The Base Pay Range for this position is $73,030 – $100,419. Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include geography/market, skills, education, experience, and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Life insurance
• Long-term and short-term disability insurance
• Paid parking/public transportation
• Paid time off
• Paid sick and safe time