Senior Payroll Specialist

Aston Carter•Franklin Park, IL

12d•$38 - $50•Hybrid

About The Position

The Payroll Operations Lead is responsible for end-to-end bi-weekly multi-state payroll processing for exempt and non-exempt employees across multiple entities using Workday. This role ensures payroll data accuracy through auditing, calculating, and maintaining records. The Lead will act as an escalation point for complex payroll issues, resolve discrepancies, and manage year-end processing, including W2s, balancing, adjustments, and amendments. Additionally, the role ensures compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations, manages payroll tax obligations, monitors tax law changes, and supports external audits. The Senior Payroll Specialist will also serve as a subject matter expert for HR, Finance, and leadership, partnering on various HR processes and supporting system implementations. This role involves developing payroll reports, reconciling accounts, and driving automation and process improvements.

Requirements

5–8 years of progressive payroll experience in a fast-paced, multi-entity environment.
Deep expertise in multi-state payroll processing.
Strong command of federal and state compliance, tax regulations, and wage/hour laws.
Hands-on Workday Payroll experience strongly preferred.
Strong analytical skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and the ability to build and interpret payroll reports.
A technology-forward mindset — actively look for ways to automate, improve, and scale payroll processes.
Excellent communicator who can distill complex payroll topics for non-payroll stakeholders.
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing competing priorities under tight deadlines.

Nice To Haves

Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation preferred; FPC considered.
Experience with NetSuite or similar general ledger systems a plus.

Responsibilities

End-to-end bi-weekly multi-state payroll processing for exempt and non-exempt employees across multiple entities in Workday.
Ensure payroll data accuracy through auditing, calculating, and maintaining records.
Act as escalation point for complex payroll issues and resolve discrepancies.
Manage year-end processing including W2s, balancing, adjustments, and amendments.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations including wage and hour laws.
Manage payroll tax obligations including registrations, account closures, and tax notice resolution.
Monitor payroll tax law changes and implement updates.
Support external audits and maintain strong internal controls.
Serve as payroll subject matter expert for HR, Finance, and leadership.
Partner on onboarding, offboarding, pay changes, and benefits administration.
Ensure accurate and timely payroll, tax, and benefit funding.
Support system implementations, upgrades, and integrations, especially Workday.
Develop payroll reports and analytics for leadership insights.
Reconcile payroll accounts and support month end close activities.
Identify and drive automation and process improvements.
Maintain payroll policies, procedures, and documentation for audit readiness.