Description

About the Opportunity
We are seeking a Senior Payroll Specialist to take ownership of payroll operations in a dynamic, multi-state company. This is an opportunity to step into a high-impact role where your expertise will directly influence the employee experience and how payroll operates at scale. 

You will report to an experienced and highly regarded CFO and join a collaborative, stable, and supportive Finance team. The environment is professional but approachable, with strong cross-functional partnerships and leadership that values doing things the right way.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys both hands-on execution and process improvement, and who is looking for a path to grow. 

Work Arrangement: Full-time; primarily in-office to start, with some potential future hybrid flexibility.

What Sets This Role Apart

• Strong leadership: Report directly to a respected CFO who is invested in your success
• Team environment: Join a friendly and cohesive team
• Work environment: Professional, well-designed office that supports collaboration and focus
• Growth potential: Opportunity to expand responsibilities and advance based on performance

Why Join Us
This is more than a payroll role. It is an opportunity to own a critical function, influence how payroll operates at scale, and grow your career in a supportive environment. You will be trusted, challenged, and given the opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

What You Will Do

You will be responsible for leading and owning payroll operations across a multi-state, multi-entity, and multi-location workforce. You will ensure accurate and compliant payroll execution while exercising independent judgment in the interpretation of payroll laws, company policies, and complex pay scenarios.

You will serve as the organization’s subject matter expert on payroll, drive process improvements, manage risk, and advise leadership on payroll-related matters. You will operate with a high degree of autonomy and be accountable for the integrity, compliance, and continuous improvement of payroll operations.

Payroll Leadership & Administration

• Lead and oversee end-to-end payroll processing for a multi-location workforce, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance
• Evaluate and resolve complex payroll issues, including multi-state taxation, pay discrepancies, and policy interpretation
• Exercise independent judgment in determining appropriate pay treatment, adjustments, and corrections
• Oversee payroll transactions including hires, terminations, compensation changes, deductions, and timekeeping inputs
• Ensure payroll data integrity through review, reconciliation, and validation processes
• Direct year-end payroll activities including W-2 processing and tax reporting 

 Compliance & Risk Management

• Serve as the primary authority on payroll compliance, including federal, state, and local wage and hour laws
• Interpret and apply regulations across multi-state environments
• Develop, implement, and maintain payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls
• Lead payroll audits and act as the primary point of contact for internal and external auditors
• Identify compliance risks and recommend corrective actions and process changes 

 Process Improvement & Systems Ownership

• Design and implement payroll process improvements to increase efficiency, accuracy, and scalability
• Evaluate payroll workflows and systems to identify risks, gaps, and optimization opportunities
• Support payroll system configuration, enhancements, and data governance
• Ensure alignment between payroll, HRIS, and financial systems 

 Business Partnership & Advisory

• Advise HR, Finance, and leadership on payroll implications of compensation, benefits, and workforce decisions
• Provide guidance on payroll-related policies and practices
• Partner cross-functionally to support organizational initiatives and ensure operational alignment 

 Employee Support & Escalations

• Serve as the escalation point for complex employee payroll inquiries and issues
• Research and resolve discrepancies requiring analysis and judgment
• Ensure consistent and professional communication related to payroll matters 

 401(k) Administration

• Oversee payroll-related aspects of the 401(k) plan, including contribution processing, loan repayments, and deferral changes
• Ensure timely and accurate remittance of employee and employer contributions
• Reconcile payroll data with plan records and third-party administrators
• Support annual activities such as census preparation, nondiscrimination testing (ADP/ACP), and audit requests
• Maintain compliance with applicable retirement plan regulations and internal controls 

 Additional Responsibilities

• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned 

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience, including multi-state payroll environments
• Demonstrated experience leading payroll operations or owning payroll processes
• Strong knowledge of payroll tax regulations, wage and hour laws, and compliance requirements
• Experience with payroll/HRIS systems (e.g., Rippling, ADP, UKG, Paylocity)
• Ability to analyze complex situations and exercise sound judgment
• High attention to detail with strong organizational and problem-solving skills
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience managing high-volume payroll (500+ employees)
• Experience leading payroll audits and implementing internal controls
• Advanced Excel and reporting capabilities