Workday Payroll Processing Specialist

About the role

The Workday Payroll Processing Specialist is responsible for the timely and accurate execution, auditing, and processing of periodic payroll cycles for a complex, multi-state employee population. This role coordinates day-to-day payroll activities across the team, ensures regulatory and policy compliance, serves as a subject matter expert for end-to-end payroll processing, and partners cross-functionally to drive process improvements and support scalable payroll operations in a fast-paced service center environment.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform on-cycle Field Operations payroll processing and post-payroll audits, including Monthly Incentive and Special Field Incentive Bonus runs.
• Provide general payroll processing guidance to the Payroll Team and coordinate day-to-day service center payroll activities in support of operational payroll cycles and payroll policies and procedures.
• Operate as the subject matter expert for processing issues and escalate point to resolve issues.
• Partner with Payroll Business Systems Analysts, Payroll Market Supervisors, and FSS team for resolution of more complex cases.
• Career Development
• Coordinate and administer transactional payroll data inputs for each payroll cycle, including the use of EIBs to load and manage a variety of payroll transactions.
• Perform ongoing audits of timekeeping, payroll, retro pay, PBJ, and payroll accounting data (including cost allocations and labor expense) to ensure accuracy, compliance, and proper expense reporting.
• Produce and distribute post-payroll audit reports and provide ad hoc reporting and data as directed by the Payroll Processing Manager and Payroll Manager.
• Aid in validation of payroll setup and coordination for newly acquired facilities.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of all payroll information and partner with the Fraud Manager to support payroll-related investigations and controls.
• Participate in special projects and other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

• A high school diploma, required.
• Minimum of 4 years of Workday Payroll experience as a Payroll Resource or Specialist, with increasing levels of responsibility; experience with a large employer preferred.
• Hands-on Workday Payroll experience, including Payment Elections, Tax Elections, Payroll Inputs, Withholding Orders, FLSA, retro pay, pay calculations, pay completion, settlements, and post-payroll reporting.
• Knowledge of ADP wage payment, tax, and garnishment processing preferred.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel, including EIB development and payroll data analysis.
• Advanced Microsoft Office experience, with strong Excel skills supporting EIB development and data analysis.
• Ability to apply structured, critical-thinking skills when analyzing payroll data.
• Ability to review, verify, and audit payroll documents and reports for accuracy.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills to consistently meet payroll cycle deadlines.
• Ability to plan, organize, implement, and interpret payroll programs, policies, procedures, and objectives using sound accounting principles.
• Working knowledge of standard computer systems, data entry processes, and system outputs.
• Ability to prepare payroll reports and records in a clear, accurate, and well-organized manner.

Additional Information

• Pre-employment criminal background screening required.