Payroll Specialist / Senior Payroll / Payroll SME – US Payroll exp required

Job Summary

The Payroll Professional is responsible for the accurate, timely, and compliant processing of payroll for employees within the United States. Depending on role level, responsibilities range from executing payroll transactions and resolving employee inquiries to handling complex payroll matters, driving process improvements, and serving as a subject matter expert on US payroll operations, compliance, and systems.

This role partners closely with US-based HR, Finance, Benefits, Tax, and business stakeholders to ensure payroll accuracy, regulatory compliance, and an exceptional employee experience. The position requires strong knowledge of US payroll regulations, tax requirements, wage and hour laws, and payroll best practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Process and validate end-to-end US payroll transactions accurately and within established payroll schedules.
• Administer payroll activities including new hires, terminations, salary changes, bonuses, commissions, shift differentials, benefits deductions, garnishments, and off-cycle payments.
• Review payroll inputs and outputs to ensure data integrity and accuracy.
• Perform payroll reconciliations and resolve discrepancies prior to payroll processing and release.
• Maintain payroll records and documentation in accordance with company policies and US regulatory requirements.

• Ensure compliance with applicable US federal, state, and local payroll regulations.
• Support payroll tax withholding, reporting, and remittance activities.
• Manage payroll activities related to wage garnishments, benefit deductions, and other statutory requirements.
• Adhere to internal controls, governance standards, and audit requirements.
• Monitor and interpret legislative and regulatory changes impacting US payroll operations.

• Serve as a key point of contact for US employees, HR Business Partners, Finance teams, and external payroll providers.
• Investigate and resolve payroll inquiries, discrepancies, and escalations in a timely manner.
• Provide guidance on payroll policies, procedures, and compliance requirements.
• Collaborate across teams to ensure seamless payroll delivery and issue resolution.

• Prepare payroll reports, reconciliations, and supporting documentation.
• Analyze payroll data and identify trends, discrepancies, or process improvement opportunities.
• Support compliance, audit, tax, and management reporting requirements.
• Monitor operational metrics and service levels.

• Identify opportunities to enhance payroll processes, controls, and employee experience.
• Support payroll system upgrades, implementations, and testing activities.
• Drive standardization, automation, and operational excellence initiatives.
• Develop and maintain process documentation, work instructions, and knowledge management materials.

Additional Responsibilities by Level

• Execute day-to-day US payroll processing activities.
• Perform payroll validations, reconciliations, and exception management.
• Resolve routine employee payroll inquiries.
• Follow established operational procedures and compliance requirements.

• Manage complex payroll transactions, corrections, and employee escalations.
• Conduct quality reviews of payroll results.
• Provide operational guidance and support to team members.
• Participate in payroll projects, system testing, and process improvement initiatives.
• Partner with US stakeholders to resolve complex payroll issues.

• Serve as the expert resource for US payroll legislation, taxation, wage and hour requirements, and payroll systems.
• Lead resolution of highly complex payroll and compliance issues.
• Drive payroll process optimization, standardization, and governance initiatives.
• Support audits, compliance reviews, and payroll transformation projects.
• Mentor team members and provide technical guidance across payroll operations.
• Act as the primary escalation point for payroll-related operational and compliance matters.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or other payroll-related certifications are an advantage.

Experience

• 2–4 years of US payroll processing experience.

• 4–6 years of US payroll experience, including complex payroll administration and stakeholder management.

• 6–8+ years of US payroll experience with advanced expertise in payroll compliance, taxation, systems, and process improvement.

• Strong knowledge of US federal, state, and local payroll regulations.
• Understanding of payroll taxation, wage garnishments, benefits deductions, and wage and hour compliance requirements.
• Experience with payroll systems and HRIS platforms.
• Advanced analytical, reconciliation, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Excellent customer service and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to partner effectively with US-based stakeholders.
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive employee information.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and payroll reporting tools.

• Experience supporting multi-state US payroll operations.
• Experience working in a shared services, global business services, or outsourced payroll environment.
• Experience with ADP, Workday Payroll, UKG, SAP Payroll, Oracle Payroll, or similar payroll platforms.
• Experience supporting payroll transformation, automation, or continuous improvement initiatives.