Payroll & Analytics Leader

Gray Line Tennessee•Nashville, TN

2d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Payroll & Analytics Leader to oversee bi-weekly payroll processing and lead payroll-related reporting, reconciliations, and operational analytics for approximately 300 employees. This role is responsible for ensuring payroll accuracy, maintaining strict processing timelines, supporting compliance, and delivering meaningful labor and compensation analytics to leadership. The Payroll & Analytics Leader will report directly to the Director of Finance and work closely with the Director of Human Resources. This is an in-office position within a transportation-focused environment.

Requirements

Minimum of 3 years of payroll processing experience
Strong analytical and reconciliation skills
High attention to detail and accuracy
Ability to manage deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Strong organizational and communication skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and payroll reporting tools

Nice To Haves

Experience processing payroll for multi-rate or operational workforces preferred
Transportation industry experience preferred
Knowledge of leveraging AI and technology to improve efficiency preferred
Rippling experience is a plus
Self-motivated and proactive
Strong problem-solving mindset
Comfortable working with large datasets and operational metrics
Ability to maintain confidentiality with sensitive payroll information
Continuous improvement mentality

Responsibilities

Process accurate and timely bi-weekly payroll for approximately 300 employees
Manage payroll processing timelines, including: Employee clock-in and clock-out submissions, Time Manager approvals, Final payroll processing deadlines
Maintain and apply accurate pay rates across: Salaried employees, Hourly employees, Route-based pay structures, Daily rates
Process gratuities and employee reimbursements
Maintain PTO balances and time banks
Ensure payroll records are accurate, complete, and compliant with company policies
Support payroll audits and maintain payroll documentation
Perform payroll analytics and reconciliations to identify trends, discrepancies, and opportunities for improvement
Conduct employee pay comparisons and variance analysis
Analyze current payroll periods against prior periods
Maintain rolling 3-week payroll averages and labor trend reporting
Trace employee paid time to specific jobs and assignments
Compare payroll hours to customer-billed hours of service
Analyze mileage and calculate wages-per-mile by employee
Prepare and maintain payroll-related operational reports for leadership review
Reconcile employee reimbursements to receipts and general ledger coding
Reconcile health insurance premiums to payroll withholdings by pay period
Reconcile ancillary insurance premiums to payroll withholdings
Reconcile 401(k) remittances and prepare supporting reports for management
Reconcile workers’ compensation wages and prepare monthly remittance reporting
Assist with payroll-related compliance reporting and documentation