Senior Payroll Specialist

Delta Dental • Oakland, CA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Payroll Specialist is responsible for administering payroll operations and delivering exceptional payroll support services to employees and management. This role ensures accurate and timely payroll processing while maintaining compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, company policies, and collective bargaining agreements. The Senior Payroll Specialist serves as a subject matter expert for payroll administration, timekeeping, payroll accounting, compliance, and employee support.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience performing payroll, HR, finance, accounting, or other administrative/transactional processing functions.
• Ability to report to the local office approximately 2-4 times per month. This equates to about once a week or every other week, depending on team needs.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in payroll processing and data management.
• Ability to manage recurring deadlines and prioritize multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong customer service and communication skills with the ability to effectively support employees and leaders.
• Knowledge of payroll practices, federal and state wage and hour laws, payroll taxes, and regulatory requirements, or the ability to quickly learn and apply such knowledge.
• Understanding of accounting principles, payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment.

Nice To Haves

• Experience processing in-house payroll.
• Experience with payroll and HRIS systems such as Oracle HRMS, Kronos, PeopleSoft, or similar platforms.
• Experience with payroll accounting, general ledger reconciliations, and audit support.
• Knowledge of union payroll administration and collective bargaining agreements.
• Experience with year-end payroll processing, including W-2 preparation and reporting.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation or related payroll certification.

Responsibilities

• Process and balance bi-weekly payroll for both salaried and hourly employees, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with established procedures.
• Reconcile payroll records, perform payroll cost analyses, and balance payroll funding transactions for reporting to Finance.
• Analyze payroll-related bank accounts and general ledger accounts, investigate discrepancies, and resolve variances.
• Coordinate and calculate third-party payments and payroll adjustments related to employee leaves of absence, including FMLA and other approved leave programs.
• Maintain payroll system data, including earnings codes, tax tables, deduction tables, and other payroll-related configurations in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Administer payroll compliance activities and support internal and external audits by providing documentation, reports, and process controls.
• Respond to employee and management inquiries regarding payroll, timekeeping, deductions, taxes, and pay-related issues.
• Manage payroll and timekeeping system administration, including employee setup, status changes, and terminations.
• Process wage garnishments, levies, and other court-ordered deductions, ensuring timely payments and compliance with applicable regulations.
• Prepare and reconcile union dues reporting and payments, and support payroll-related collective bargaining agreement requirements.
• Support union payroll activities, including eligibility tracking, payroll deductions, and monthly reconciliation of dues and fees.
• Assist with year-end payroll activities, including W-2 processing, reporting, and payroll reconciliations.
• Serve as a backup for payroll team functions as needed and contribute to ongoing process improvements.

Benefits

• Base Pay Information: The national base pay range at the end is a good-faith estimate of what Delta Dental may pay for new hires. Actual pay may vary based on Delta Dental’s assessment of the candidate’s knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs), related experience, education, certifications, and ability to meet required minimum job qualifications. Other factors impacting pay include prevailing wages in the work location and internal equity. Pay Grade 17. $51,360- $107,500

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: High school or GED