Senior Payroll Specialist

Job Summary:

The Senior Payroll Specialist is responsible for independently managing accurate and timely payroll processing for a large multi-state employee base. This role involves resolving complex payroll issues, supporting daily and weekly payroll operations, and ensuring compliance with company policies and regulatory standards. The position requires collaboration with internal teams and external vendors while maintaining strict confidentiality of sensitive payroll information.

• Execute full on-cycle weekly and biweekly payroll processing for approximately 60,000 U.S. multi-state salaried and hourly employees.
• Validate, reconcile, and process HSDL loads, special transactions, payments, third-party files, and funding.
• Process regular and mass off-cycle payrolls with accurate pay entries and proper approvals.
• Handle payroll banking transactions including stop payments, direct deposit rejects, and reversals.
• Run, prepare, and format payroll reports to ensure data accuracy and support reconciliations and audits.
• Research and resolve payroll-related inquiries timely and professionally.
• Collaborate with payroll team members and cross-functional stakeholders to ensure smooth payroll operations.
• Work with external suppliers and vendors to address payroll issues and complete required activities.
• Identify and recommend process improvements related to reconciliation, controls, efficiency, and accuracy.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of payroll data, including court orders, deductions, and withholdings.

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Human Resources, or related field; or High School Diploma/GED with 4 years relevant experience.
• 5+ years of multi-state payroll experience preferred.
• 3 years of Oracle HCM Cloud experience preferred; candidates with 2+ years payroll experience without Oracle HCM Cloud will also be considered.
• Strong attendance, reliability, and punctuality.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with minimal supervision.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines effectively.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
• Advanced Excel skills including VLOOKUP, pivot tables, and data analysis.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

• Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) certification.
• Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC).
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP).
• Knowledge of ServiceNow and UKG Timekeeper systems.

• Strict adherence to payroll data security and confidentiality policies.
• Responsible for handling sensitive payroll information with sound judgment and discretion.
• Contractors are responsible for their own parking arrangements and associated costs.
• Work involves frequent use of fine motor skills such as keyboarding and computer operation.
• May occasionally handle objects weighing less than 30 pounds.
• Standard office work environment.

• Full-time contract position for 4 months with possibility of extension or temp-to-hire opportunity.
• Work schedule aligned with weekly and biweekly payroll processing cycles.