Senior Payroll & Compliance Specialist

Key Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end payroll processing for a multi-jurisdiction employee population, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with applicable regulations.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to support employee lifecycle changes including onboarding, offboarding, compensation adjustments, incentive payments, and benefits-related transactions.
• Ensure payroll-related filings, reconciliations, reporting activities, and year-end processing are completed accurately and within established deadlines.
• Serve as a resource for payroll inquiries and assist in resolving complex employee compensation issues.
• Maintain payroll records and supporting documentation for internal reviews and external audit requirements.
• Aid in payroll accounting activities, including reconciliations, reporting, and period-end close processes.
• Support regulatory, tax, and compliance reviews as required.
• Collaborate with Finance, Human Resources, and operational teams to improve workflows, strengthen controls, and enhance process efficiency.
• Participate in payroll system enhancements, technology initiatives, and process optimization efforts.
• Monitor changes in payroll, wage-and-hour, tax, and employment regulations and communicate impacts to relevant stakeholders.
• Contribute to training, mentoring, and knowledge-sharing initiatives within the payroll function.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related discipline preferred.
• Progressive experience in payroll administration within a complex organizational environment.
• Experience supporting multi-state payroll operations.
• Knowledge of payroll compliance, tax regulations, benefit deductions, and payroll accounting practices.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and reporting tools.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across departments.
• Professional payroll, accounting, or human resources certifications are considered a plus.

Preferred Experience

• Experience in high-growth, multi-location, or distributed workforce environments.
• Exposure to benefits administration, retirement plans, or employee compensation programs.
• Participation in payroll system implementations, upgrades, or process transformation initiatives.
• Background supporting audits, compliance reviews, or internal controls activities.