Senior Payroll Specialist

Aston Carter•Berwyn, IL

13d•$38 - $50•Hybrid

About The Position

The Payroll Operations Lead will be responsible for end-to-end bi-weekly multi-state payroll processing for exempt and non-exempt employees across multiple entities using Workday. This role involves ensuring payroll data accuracy through auditing, calculating, and maintaining records, and acting as an escalation point for complex payroll issues and discrepancies. The position also manages year-end processing, including W2s, balancing, adjustments, and amendments. A key aspect of this role is ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations, managing payroll tax obligations, and staying updated on payroll tax law changes. The Senior Payroll Specialist will also support external audits, maintain strong internal controls, and serve as a payroll subject matter expert for HR, Finance, and leadership. Collaboration on onboarding, offboarding, pay changes, and benefits administration is expected, as is support for system implementations, upgrades, and integrations, particularly with Workday. The role includes developing payroll reports and analytics, reconciling payroll accounts, supporting month-end close, and identifying opportunities for automation and process improvements. Maintaining payroll policies, procedures, and documentation for audit readiness is also a responsibility.

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

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.