Senior Payroll Specialist

About the role

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Senior Payroll Specialist based in the United States. This is a senior-level payroll operations role responsible for ensuring accurate, compliant, and scalable payroll execution across multiple US entities and jurisdictions.

Responsibilities

• Own and execute end-to-end US payroll processing across multiple entities, pay groups, and vendors in a multi-state environment
• Ensure full compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations, including filings, reconciliations, and amendments
• Manage and accurately administer complex payroll components such as garnishments, benefits deductions, equity compensation, and taxable benefits
• Lead payroll issue resolution through root-cause analysis and implement long-term process improvements to reduce recurring errors
• Oversee payroll transitions including new entity setups, vendor changes, system migrations, and organizational restructuring events
• Develop, implement, and maintain payroll controls aligned with SOX and internal audit requirements
• Partner cross-functionally with Finance, HR, Legal, and external vendors to ensure seamless payroll operations and reporting accuracy

Requirements

• 5+ years of US payroll experience in complex, multi-state and multi-entity environments
• Strong knowledge of US payroll compliance, including federal/state/local tax regulations, wage and hour laws, and year-end reporting (W-2, 941, 940)
• Experience handling payroll accounting and working closely with Finance during close and audit cycles
• Proven ability to design and maintain payroll controls, ensuring audit readiness and compliance standards (SOX experience is a plus)
• Demonstrated success improving payroll processes through automation, standardization, and operational efficiency initiatives
• Experience managing payroll system or vendor transitions in complex environments
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to act as a trusted payroll subject matter expert and escalation point
• Excellent attention to detail, analytical thinking, and problem-solving capabilities in high-complexity environments
• CPP or FPC certification is a plus, as well as experience with major payroll/HRIS platforms and integrations

Benefits

• Competitive base salary ranging from $111,000 to $139,000 USD
• Comprehensive benefits package including healthcare coverage (medical, dental, vision)
• Retail savings plan and financial wellness programs
• Flexible work arrangements with remote-first structure
• Career development and continuous learning opportunities
• Exposure to global, fast-growing technology and AI-driven environments
• Opportunity to build and improve scalable payroll systems and controls
• Collaborative and high-trust work culture with strong ownership mindset