Position Overview:
Under minimal direction from the VP, Operations & Finance, the Senior Payroll Specialist oversees and manages the full payroll cycle for all contingent employees across all TalentBridge locations. This role is responsible for ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely payroll processing in partnership with our third-party payroll provider. The Senior Payroll Specialist serves as the primary subject matter expert (SME) on payroll-related matters, including compliance with federal, state, and local laws, complex payroll adjustments, and process optimization.
In addition to payroll processing, this role will lead process improvements and support organizational initiatives related to payroll, timekeeping, and workforce compliance. The Senior Payroll Specialist must exercise sound judgment, provide guidance to management on payroll matters, and demonstrate a high degree of confidentiality, professionalism, and expertise.
What You’ll Do: Responsibilities
Accurate & Compliant Payroll Operations
- Oversees and executes the complete payroll cycle, ensuring compliance with external regulations and internal policies.
- Reviews, reconciles, and validates payroll data, including garnishments, deductions, taxable fringe benefits, incentive pay, bonuses, and other adjustments.
- Provides advanced research and resolution of payroll discrepancies, escalated employee inquiries, and complex pay issues.
- Coordinates payroll tax reporting and compliance with third-party providers and assists in responding to federal, state, and local audits as needed.
- Collaborates with Accounting and Finance to ensure payroll entries are accurate, timely, and properly reconciled.
- Partners with HR and leadership on process improvements, system enhancements, and payroll-related compliance initiatives.
Payroll & Timekeeping Systems Management
- Serves as a subject matter expert for payroll and timekeeping systems, maintaining advanced system knowledge and troubleshooting issues.
- Develops and generates complex reporting and analytics to support compliance, financial planning, and executive decision-making.
- Provides training and guidance to cross-functional partners to ensure accuracy and continuity of payroll operations.
Leadership, Strategy & Special Projects
- Acts as a payroll advisor to management and HR on pay practices, compliance, and regulatory changes.
- Influences payroll-related projects, including process improvement initiatives, system migrations, and automation opportunities.
- Participates in the design and implementation of best practices in accordance with company policies and industry standards.
Other duties as assigned.
What You’ll Need: Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field preferred; Associates degree with equivalent senior-level payroll experience considered.
Experience:
- Minimum of five (5) years of progressive payroll experience, including responsibility for full-cycle, multi-state payroll processing.
- Demonstrated expertise with payroll compliance, taxation, and reporting requirements.
- Prior experience with Paycom or a similar third-party payroll provider strongly preferred.
- Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation preferred.
Skills:
- Ability to maintain a strict standard of confidentiality in handling sensitive information, reports and correspondence
- Expert knowledge of payroll laws, wage & hour regulations, and payroll compliance requirements across multiple states.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills with the ability to handle complex payroll issues.
- Excellent customer service skills, with the ability to communicate effectively across all levels of the organization.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain a high level of accuracy in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience in creating complex reports using multiple data sources, dashboards, and creating/tracking effective metrics.
- Proven leadership skills, including mentoring, training, and influencing others.
- Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion in decision-making.
- Strong financial and accounting acumen.
