Payroll and Compliance Specialist

Enclave Career•West Fargo, ND

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Payroll & Compliance Specialist is responsible for owning and administering the organization’s payroll processes, including biweekly payroll and weekly certified payroll reporting. Beyond payroll execution, this role serves as a key partner in HR Operations by documenting processes, strengthening controls, organizing payroll records and documentation, identifying opportunities for automation and efficiency, and helping create scalable processes that support long-term business growth. The Payroll & Compliance Specialist is expected to develop a deep understanding of existing payroll workflows and collaborate with the HR Operations team to continuously improve processes, reduce risk, increase efficiency, and ensure critical payroll knowledge is documented and transferable across the organization.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required
3+ years of experience in payroll administration required; equivalent combination of payroll experience and certification will be considered in place of a degree
Working knowledge of federal and state payroll laws and regulations, including wage and hour and payroll tax requirements, required
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel required

Nice To Haves

Experience with prevailing wage, Davis-Bacon, and public works reporting preferred
Experience with UKG Pro and UKG payroll processing preferred; experience with a comparable payroll or HRIS platform (ADP, Workday, Paylocity, or similar) will be considered
Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) or Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) preferred; Enclave will sponsor certification for candidates who do not yet hold one
Experience in construction, real estate, or a multi-entity environment preferred
Professional presence with the ability to represent HR with credibility, maturity, and discretion
Clear, confident communication skills that build trust across all levels of the organization
Strong service orientation with a focus on delivering a consistent, positive employee experience
High attention to detail and accuracy when working with employee data, documentation, and processes
Operational mindset with strong organizational skills and the ability to manage workflows and priorities
Sound judgment and adaptability when handling sensitive information and shifting business needs

Responsibilities

Administer and process biweekly payroll for all employees in accordance with established payroll schedules and company policies
Review and validate payroll transactions including hires, terminations, compensation changes, promotions, deductions, garnishments, and benefit elections
Audit payroll registers, earnings, deductions, taxes, and direct deposits prior to payroll finalization
Reconcile payroll discrepancies and research payroll-related issues to ensure accurate employee pay
Maintain payroll records and supporting documentation in accordance with record retention requirements
Coordinate payroll funding and processing timelines with Finance and Accounting teams
Manage the weekly certified payroll process for prevailing wage and public works projects
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local certified payroll requirements, including Davis-Bacon and prevailing wage regulations where applicable
Maintain accurate worker classifications, wage rates, fringe benefit calculations, and project allocations
Prepare, review, certify, and submit certified payroll reports and supporting documentation
Monitor regulatory changes and recommend updates to certified payroll processes and documentation
Become a subject matter expert in all payroll and certified payroll workflows
Evaluate existing payroll processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, scalability, and user experience
Partner with the Senior Manager of HR Operations, HRIS Analyst, and HR Specialist on payroll and compliance-related process improvement initiatives
Develop and maintain process documentation, workflows, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and training materials
Recommend and support automation opportunities through HRIS, reporting tools, system integrations, and workflow technologies
Establish and maintain internal controls designed to reduce payroll risk and improve data integrity
Participate in cross-functional projects related to payroll, HR technology, compliance, and operational excellence
Create sustainable, repeatable processes that can be performed consistently by trained team members
Continuously review and improve payroll reporting, recordkeeping, and compliance practices
Perform regular payroll audits to ensure compliance with wage and hour laws, tax regulations, company policies, and internal controls
Audit payroll data, benefit deductions, earnings codes, PTO balances, and employee master records
Support internal and external audits by gathering payroll documentation and responding to requests
Maintain compliance with payroll tax regulations, garnishments, employment laws, and reporting requirements
Own and manage year-end payroll activities, including W-2 processing, reconciliations, and audit support
Analyze payroll trends, labor costs, overtime utilization, and workforce metrics
Provide data and reporting support for HR Operations, Accounting, Finance, and leadership teams
Ensure payroll and HR data integrity through routine audits and validation activities
Support HR compliance programs, documentation management, and operational workflows
Assist with HRIS maintenance, data audits, and process improvement initiatives
Partner with HR team members on onboarding, offboarding, audits, and employee lifecycle processes
Identify opportunities to streamline payroll and HR processes through automation and technology
Participate in cross-functional projects that support operational excellence and business objectives
Perform other duties as assigned
Maintain organization and documentation of all training materials and records
Demonstrate punctual and regular attendance
Support a culture of accountability, consistency, and operational excellence