Senior Payroll Specialist

We are seeking a Senior Payroll Specialist with strong technical skills to support accurate and timely weekly payroll processing for a field population of 4,000+ hourly employees across every state in the US. Reporting to the Payroll Supervisor, this position serves as an experienced resource for payroll processing, data validation, audits, and issue resolution.

The successful candidate combines sound payroll knowledge with the capacity to independently and under the guidance of Payroll Supervisor and Payroll Analyst, investigate discrepancies across timekeeping and payroll systems, resolve complex transactions, and support effective payroll controls. This role provides guidance to payroll staff and works with the Payroll Supervisor and analysts to improve processing accuracy and efficiency.

• Support accurate and timely weekly payroll processing for multi-state field employees, following established deadlines and approval procedures.
• Review and validate complex hourly earnings, including production bonuses, overtime, retroactive adjustments, and other variable compensation.
• Prepare and validate approved payroll import files from the Payroll Approval Tool, import data into UKG Pro, and reconcile imported results to source records.
• Perform pre- and post-payroll audits and reconciliations; investigate unusual results and resolve or escalate exceptions before payroll is finalized.
• Research payroll discrepancies by tracing approved time and earnings data through payroll processing; complete and document corrections and adjustments.
• Review employee work-state information and applicable tax setup for employees working across multiple jurisdictions; coordinate corrections as needed.
• Serve as a technical resource to payroll staff and support the Payroll Supervisor in coordinating processing priorities and coverage.
• Prepare and submit NACHA/ACH and manual check files to the bank in accordance with established authorization procedures and payroll controls.
• Process and reconcile garnishment deductions and submit remittance information to the designated provider.
• Manage the time-off email inbox and process vacation and sick time requests for field staff.
• Review and process employee self-service payroll changes and assigned UKG Pro workflow tasks in accordance with approval procedures.
• Manage the Rapid payroll debit card process, including card setup, funding, and company account replenishment, under established authorization procedures.
• Respond to a high volume of payroll inquiries by phone and email; explain payroll results clearly and coordinate HR or tax questions with the appropriate resource.
• Prepare payroll reports for state agencies and internal departments; assist the Payroll Analyst with union reporting, payments, and general ledger reporting.
• Document procedures and recurring issues; recommend improvements and support testing of payroll process and system changes by validating results and communicating exceptions.
• Apply established payroll requirements and company policies, maintain supporting records, protect confidential information, and escalate compliance questions appropriately.
• Crosstrain and provide backup for hourly, non-field pay groups
• Participate in special projects and perform other related duties as assigned.

• Minimum of three years of progressive U.S. payroll experience, including substantial experience processing high-volume, multi-state hourly payroll. Equivalent experience demonstrating advanced payroll knowledge and technical proficiency may be considered.
• Experience using payroll and timekeeping systems, including preparing and validating import files, reconciling data between systems, investigating exceptions, and resolving processing errors.
• Strong working knowledge of multi-state payroll practices, overtime calculations, payroll taxes, deductions, and payroll controls.
• Strong Excel skills, including lookup functions, pivot tables, conditional formulas, and reconciliation of large datasets; proficiency with Outlook, Teams, and Word.
• Ability to independently research payroll issues, identify the underlying cause, and carry corrections through to resolution or appropriate escalation.
• Strong technical aptitude and the ability to learn new systems and understand how data moves between timekeeping and payroll applications.
• Knowledge of basic accounting practices and payroll reconciliation principles.
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to organize competing priorities while maintaining accuracy under weekly payroll deadlines.
• Clear communication skills and a customer-focused approach when working with employees, field leadership, HR, Finance, and technical teams.
• Ability to guide colleagues, collaborate effectively, document processes, and adapt to changing business needs.
• Sound judgment and discretion when handling confidential employee and company information; commitment to company policies and established approval procedures.

• Hands-on experience with UKG Pro and integrated timekeeping or payroll approval applications.
• Experience supporting a mobile field workforce with employees working in multiple states and across multiple projects.
• Experience with production-based incentive pay, union payroll reporting, and related reconciliations.
• Experience supporting payroll system testing, process improvements, and development of payroll procedures.

The responsibilities listed describe the general scope of this position and are not all-inclusive. Duties may change as business needs evolve.