Senior Payroll Specialist

Gartner • Irving, TX

2d • $46,000 - $68,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Payroll Specialist manages complex global payroll operations and serves as a subject matter expert within the payroll organization. The role partners with payroll service providers, Human Resources, Finance, and cross-functional stakeholders to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing across multiple countries. It drives operational excellence through payroll controls, continuous process improvement, issue resolution, and knowledge sharing.

The position oversees payroll preparation and review across countries and legal entities; handles special and off-cycle payments; conducts audits, reconciliations, variance analysis, and reporting; and resolves complex discrepancies. It also supports compliance, audits, payroll projects, implementations, testing, acquisitions, and process enhancements. The role maintains payroll documentation and provides mentoring and guidance to team members.

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of payroll experience with progressive responsibility.
• Experience supporting multi-country or global payroll operations.
• Experience working with outsourced payroll providers and payroll audits.
• Demonstrated expertise managing complex payroll calculations, compliance requirements, and issue resolution.
• Experience with ADP, Workday, or comparable payroll and HRIS platforms.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including payroll analysis and reconciliations.
• Strong understanding of payroll controls, reporting, and compliance requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field.
• CPP, FPC, or equivalent payroll certification.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, review, and approve complex payrolls across multiple countries and legal entities in compliance with statutory and company requirements.
• Coordinate payroll activities with managed service providers to ensure timely and accurate payroll delivery.
• Process and review special payments, including bonuses, commissions, severance, retroactive adjustments, overtime, and other off-cycle payments.
• Serve as the payroll subject matter expert for assigned countries and payroll processes.
• Perform payroll audits, reconciliations, variance analysis, and control reviews.
• Investigate and resolve complex payroll discrepancies, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions.
• Maintain working knowledge of payroll legislation, tax regulations, and statutory requirements in assigned countries.
• Prepare, review, and analyze payroll reports, metrics, and supporting documentation.
• Partner with Human Resources to ensure employee data, benefits, and organizational changes are accurately reflected in Workday and payroll systems.
• Collaborate with payroll service providers, Finance, Benefits, and other stakeholders to resolve payroll issues and improve service delivery.
• Support internal and external audit activities and compliance reviews.
• Lead or support payroll projects, implementations, testing efforts, acquisitions, and process enhancement initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, strengthen controls, reduce risk, and increase operational efficiency.
• Maintain payroll documentation, process maps, standard operating procedures, and training materials.
• Mentor and train payroll team members, supporting cross-training and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
• Provide guidance on complex payroll matters and assist with escalation management.

Benefits

• Generous PTO
• 401(k) match up to $7,200 per year
• Opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount
• Annual bonus plan based on company and individual performance, or a role-based, uncapped sales incentive plan, for eligible candidates
• Market-leading benefit programs
• Hybrid work flexibility

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed