Payroll Associate

New York Life•New York, NY

5d•$65,000 - $83,000•Hybrid

About The Position

New York Life is seeking a Payroll Associate (PF2) to join our HR Payroll team. This role supports the execution of end-to-end payroll processing within an in-house SAP Employee Central Payroll (ECP) environment. The Payroll Associate will perform core payroll activities, partner with internal stakeholders, and help oversee outsourced operational support. This position requires a detail-oriented professional who can manage routine payroll processes independently, apply sound judgment to resolve issues, and contribute to continuous process improvement initiatives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent work experience
2–3 years of payroll, HR operations, or related experience
Working knowledge of payroll systems (SAP ECP preferred)
Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment
Effective communication and problem-solving skills
Knowledge of garnishments and payroll compliance processes
Experience supporting payroll system testing or implementations

Responsibilities

Execute and support bi-weekly payroll processing in SAP Employee Central Payroll (ECP)
Review and validate payroll data including hires, terminations, pay changes, and adjustments
Perform payroll audits, reconciliations, and issue resolution
Ensure payroll is processed accurately and in accordance with established timelines
Provide day-to-day oversight and guidance to offshore payroll support team (Accenture)
Review work output for accuracy, completeness, and adherence to service standards
Manage garnishment processes in coordination with third-party vendor (Strada)
Monitor vendor performance and ensure service level expectations are met
Respond to payroll-related inquiries through case management systems
Partner with HR, Employee Relations, and other internal teams to resolve pay-related issues
Ensure timely, accurate, and professional communication with stakeholders
Participate in payroll system testing (e.g., support packs, enhancements, process changes)
Identify opportunities to streamline processes and improve efficiency
Support implementation of automation and process improvements
Ensure adherence to payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls
Maintain accurate documentation and support audit activities
Collaborate with Payroll Tax team and other stakeholders as needed