Senior Associate, Payroll

Ankura is a team of excellence founded on innovation and growth.

Payroll Sr. Associate

The Ankura People Office is a strategic partner and enabler for our business and provides support and services to our leaders and colleagues across all our markets to unlock the potential of our people through a differentiated culture, employee experience, and set of learning and development opportunities.

Role Overview

This position is a critical role within our Global People Operations and Payroll team as part of the People Office (HR) Team within Ankura Business Services. This is an advanced, high-impact role designed for a payroll professional who can "hit the ground running”. You will be responsible for the end-to-end execution of U.S. Payroll, ensuring total compliance across a complex, multi-state environment.

The ideal candidate is a Workday expert who understands the nuances of payroll tax, labor laws, and complex reporting, allowing our leadership to focus on strategic initiatives while you maintain a "well-oiled machine."
We would prefer candidates near the New York City office (for 1–2 days a week hybrid) but remote opportunities will be considered on a case-by-case basis

Responsibilities

• End-to-End Payroll Processing: Independently manage the full U.S. payroll cycle (semi-monthly) and support U.S. payroll year-end activities.
• Workday Mastery: Maintain and update employee records, troubleshoot HRIS issues, and leverage Workday to drive functional excellence and process improvement.
• Tax & Compliance: Manage complex payroll tax actions, including 940s, 941s, tax amendments, and clawbacks. Stay current on evolving multi-state labor and new-hire laws.
• Complex Calculations: Handle manual check calculations, equity compensation (in coordination with Finance/Accounting), and payroll reconciliations.
• Reporting & Audits: Develop and run sophisticated pre- and post-payroll reports in Workday. Lead internal and external audits and workers' compensation reporting.
• Systems Management: Utilize Workday (required), Intapp for timekeeping, and One Source Virtual (OSV) for payroll services.
• Employee Support: Serve as the primary point of contact for complex payroll and policy inquiries, providing guidance with a high degree of empathy and professionalism.
• Documentation: Maintain and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure departmental continuity.
• Administrative Support: Manage physical payroll mail (for New York-based candidates) and maintain sensitive data with strict confidentiality.

Requirements

• 3+ years of relevant multi-state payroll experience
• Proficiency in Workday is highly preferred. Candidates with extensive experience in multiple other payroll systems (such as Ceridian and ADP Workforce Now) will also be considered.
• Deep understanding of U.S. multi-state payroll laws and federal tax requirements (940/941).
• Proven track record of working effectively in a remote/hybrid environment with a high degree of focus and self-motivation.
• Bachelor’s degree is preferred; however, a High School Diploma with 5+ years of high-level payroll experience will be considered.
• Strong analytical thinking, a sense of urgency, and the ability to develop rapport across a global firm.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship now or in the future.
   

Preferred Skills

• Experience with One Source Virtual (OSV), equity compensation processing, and professional services/consulting environments.

• Understanding of AI tools and basic AI literacy

Ankura is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against based on disability. Equal Employment Opportunity Posters, if you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening, submit an online application, or participate in an interview/assessment, please email [email protected] or call toll-free +1.312-583-2122. This email and phone number are created exclusively to assist disabled job seekers whose disability prevents them from being able to apply online. Only messages left for this purpose will be returned. Messages left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or technical issues unrelated to a disability, will not receive a response.