Payroll Specialist

A Payroll Specialist is sought to join a Payroll team based in New York. This role involves supporting payroll processing and ensuring compliance for operations in the Americas, with collaboration across a global payroll team. The position requires a customer-focused approach to address payroll-related inquiries and close coordination with HR and internal teams on system and process enhancements.

• Key Responsibilities:

  • Support semi-monthly and ad hoc payroll processing, serving as a backup resource during team absences.

  • Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations.

  • Collaborate with global payroll and mobility teams to address expat payroll matters related to employee mobility.

  • Identify and implement process improvements, recommending automation solutions to streamline payroll workflows.

  • Participate in user acceptance testing (UAT) and regression testing for payroll system updates and changes.

  • Manage cross-functional initiatives and projects involving payroll processes.

  • Lead payroll audits and compliance efforts, including 401(k) non-discrimination testing, tax credit analyses, and worker’s compensation audits.

  • Maintain and update payroll procedures and internal controls, ensuring process documentation is thorough and current.

  Qualifications:

  • Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll regulations.

  • Experience working with payroll systems and collaborating on process improvements.

  • Proficiency in managing audits and compliance initiatives related to payroll functions.

  • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

  • Strong communication skills to effectively liaise with internal teams and address employee inquiries.

  • Familiarity with HR systems, particularly Workday, is preferred.

  • A team-oriented attitude with the ability to handle multiple tasks in a dynamic environment.

  About the Candidate

  • Over 8 years of experience in payroll and project management, ideally within the Americas, with a preference for a financial services background.

  • Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, or a related field.

  • Extensive experience managing in-house payroll systems, with a strong technical understanding of in-house configurations.

  • Familiarity with Workday HR/Payroll and ADP SmartCompliance is a plus.

  • Solid understanding of multi-state payroll taxes and how payroll integrates with financial reporting.

  • Able to handle sensitive information with sound judgment and discretion.

  • Demonstrates intellectual curiosity and a willingness to learn.

  • Highly organized with strong communication skills, capable of fostering collaborative relationships across various teams within the organization.

  • Exceptional time management abilities, with a track record of effectively managing competing priorities.

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with great attention to detail and a proactive “can-do” attitude when resolving issues.

  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.