Senior Payroll Specialist

Key Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end payroll cycles: Execute daily, weekly, monthly, annual, and ad-hoc payroll tasks to ensure timely processing ahead of strict deadlines, with a primary focus on US payrolls.
• Data integrity & submission: Take full ownership of compiling, double-checking, and submitting accurate payroll inputs to third-party providers, ensuring payroll outputs perfectly balance with source inputs.
• Reporting & GL management: Generate and review critical payroll outputs, including pre- and post-payroll journals, General Ledger (GL) files, and custom ad-hoc reports.
• Documentation: Maintain meticulous historical payroll files and comprehensive audit trails for all processed cycles.
• Vendor management: Partner with third-party payroll vendors and tax advisors to maximize accuracy, minimize errors, and drive processing efficiencies.
• Cross-functional support: Collaborate with the wider Payroll team and the Senior Payroll Lead to provide transaction support and cross-train across different regions to ensure team redundancy.
• Query resolution: Manage first- and second-line payroll inquiries from employees, internal teams, and external providers, ensuring strict adherence to established Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
• Regulatory compliance: Ensure absolute compliance across all allocated locations with international, federal, state, and local payroll tax laws.
• Audit support: Lead internal audit preparations and directly respond to regulatory agency inquiries and notices.
• Subject Matter Expertise: Maintain up-to-date knowledge of changing global payroll regulations and compliance standards, serving as a regional expert for the organization.
• Continuous improvement: Drive efficiencies in current workflows and contribute to implementing new processes.
• Strategic input: Contribute actionable insights toward team goals, KPIs, operational efficiencies, and the future scaling of the global payroll function.
• Standard operating procedures: Develop and document robust, detailed processes to ensure consistent, high-quality payroll execution as Wise continues to grow.

Requirements

• A minimum of 3+ years of direct, hands-on experience handling end-to-end in-house payroll (including inputs, validations, corrections, and reconciliations) within a high-growth, product-led, or technology company.
• 3 to 5 years of hands-on experience utilizing Workday Payroll, specifically for running payroll cycles, inputs, data validation, system troubleshooting, internal audits, and supporting implementations or upgrades.
• Proven experience processing complex U.S. multi-state payrolls, with a deep understanding of federal, state, and local tax regulations.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (including pivot tables, data validation, formulas, charts, and large data sets) along with a strong aptitude for mastering new payroll software quickly.
• Demonstrated capability to navigate ambiguity, thrive in fast-paced environments, and independently develop innovative solutions amid shifting priorities.

Nice to haves

• Familiarity with international payroll processing outside the U.S., particularly in regions like Mexico, Brazil, Europe, or Canada.
• Prior experience within a fintech, SaaS, or international public tech environment (e.g., NASDAQ-listed companies).
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or equivalent payroll certification.

Pay

$77-$105k base which is dependent on various factors.

Benefits

Find out more about our benefits in our Austin location.