Senior Payroll Analyst - US

Travelperk • Chicago, IL

85d • $81,000 - $109,000

About The Position

TravelPerk is a global travel and expense management platform. Its all-in-one platform gives travelers the freedom they want whilst providing companies with the control they need. The result saves time, money, and hassle for everyone. TravelPerk has industry-leading travel inventory alongside powerful management features, 24/7 customer support, state-of-the-art technology, and consumer-grade design. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Barcelona, we've grown to over 1,800 people across Europe and North America. In 2022 we became a ‘unicorn' and in 2025, we raised Series E funding at $2.7 billion valuation, alongside our acquisition of Yokoy, to become the leader in integrated travel and expense management. We've been winning awards too. Since 2023, we've been voted one of the fastest-growing apps and tech companies, and a leading pioneer of business travel. We're looking for a passionate and experienced Senior Payroll Analyst to take full ownership of U.S. payroll at TravelPerk. You'll be responsible for running multi-state payroll across two legal entities (TravelPerk and Amtrav), supporting over 270 employees (and growing!) in more than 20 states. This is a unique opportunity to join during a major transformation, from a fully outsourced PEO model to a semi-in-house model. You'll play a key role in building scalable processes, ensuring compliance, and delivering a best-in-class employee experience.

Requirements

• 5+ years of U.S. payroll experience, including multi-state and multi-entity payroll.
• Deep understanding of U.S. payroll compliance: wage & hour laws, tax regulations, filings, garnishments, and audits.
• Proven experience running payroll for hourly employees with complex schedules, time tracking, and shift variability.
• Familiarity with payroll accounting principles, including reconciliations and journal entries.
• Excellent problem-solving skills: you move fast, propose creative solutions, and get things done.
• Strong collaboration skills: you partner well with People Ops, Finance, Legal and external vendors.
• Confident working autonomously, while being a great communicator and team player.
• Ability to implement new payroll concepts and changes with little oversight, always maintaining compliance.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience in Payroll, Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel / Google Sheets, and comfort working with payroll and HRIS systems.
• Strong attention to detail and a high bar for accuracy and service delivery.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group) payroll systems.
• Familiarity with HiBob or similar HRIS platforms.
• Experience in PEO transitions or implementing in-house payroll.
• Background in mergers or payroll entity unification.

Responsibilities

• Own and run end-to-end U.S. payroll for ~270 employees across two legal entities (TravelPerk and Amtrav), covering both salaried and hourly staff.
• Ensure full compliance with federal, state, and local laws across 20+ U.S. states.
• Process complex payroll data, validate time cards, and manage varying work schedules for hourly employees.
• Direct and execute payroll accounting, including preparation and posting of journal entries, general ledger reconciliations for all payroll-related accounts.
• Prepare monthly financial reports in a timely manner, ensuring strict adherence to US GAAP and internal controls.
• Collaborate closely with People Operations on employee lifecycle changes (onboarding, terminations, promotions, leaves), verifying data and timelines.
• Provide direct, high-quality support to employees on payroll questions, pay slips, taxes, and compliance, especially as we transition away from a PEO.
• Partner with our payroll provider (UKG) to configure new payroll concepts, troubleshoot issues, and implement system improvements.
• Support the creation and ongoing maintenance of internal payroll content in the employee knowledge base to promote transparency and self-service.
• Ensure all tax filings, benefits deductions, and employer contributions are processed accurately and on time.
• Contribute to process documentation, payroll calendar ownership, and compliance initiatives.
• Play a key role in the unification of payroll platforms, supporting our target go-live by January 2026.
• Operate with a high level of independence, while keeping open communication with the Global Payroll Manager and collaborating across teams.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation, including equity in TravelPerk
• Generous vacation days so you can rest and recharge
• Comprehensive benefit plans covering medical, dental, vision, life, and disability with coverage from your start date
• Financial benefits like 401k with company matching and an HSA plan
• Family services that include adoption benefits and equal paid parental leave
• Global presence and hybrid work availability
• Unforgettable TravelPerk events, including travel to one of our hubs
• Learning and professional development opportunities
• Mental health support tool for your wellbeing
• Exponential growth opportunities
• VolunteerPerk - 16 paid hours per year to volunteer for a cause of your choice.
• Work from anywhere worldwide allows for 20 working days per year.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Industry: Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree