You must live in Illinois, Indiana, or Florida

Join our client’s team as a Senior Payroll Administrator, where you’ll take ownership of end-to-end payroll operations and play a vital role in shaping a best-in-class employee experience. In this role, you’ll ensure payroll is accurate, timely, and compliant, while serving as the go-to expert on payroll regulations, systems, and best practices. You’ll partner with HR, Finance, and business leaders to streamline processes, implement improvements, and make a meaningful impact across the organization.

Please note!  This is a long-term temporary position. ASAP start through Q1 2027.

Responsibilities

• Assist with managing full-cycle payroll processing for multi-state and/or multi-entity employee groups, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timeliness.
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll, tax, and wage/hour laws, as well as compliance with company policies.
• Administer payroll-related deductions (benefits, garnishments, retirement contributions, etc.) and coordinate with HR/Benefits teams for proper setup and reconciliation. Partner with HRIS and Finance to integrate data between systems and resolve discrepancies.
• Lead quarterly and year-end payroll processes, including W-2, W-4, and other statutory filings in collaboration with tax partners.
• Respond to employee payroll inquiries with professionalism, confidentiality, and a customer-focused approach.
• Identify and implement process improvements, automation, and best practices to enhance payroll efficiency and employee experience.
• Serve as the subject matter expert and escalation point for payroll issues, while mentoring junior payroll staff (if applicable). Respond to employee payroll inquiries with professionalism, confidentiality, and a customer-focused approach.
• Participate in and/or lead payroll system implementations, upgrades, and vendor transitions, including requirements gathering, testing, training, and documentation.

Ideal Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of five years of experience in HR payroll administration, including federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations; experience with multi-state payroll required.
• Proficiency in payroll and HRIS systems: Required: UKG: Core, Workforce Dimensions. Preferred: ADP, Workday, Paylocity, or similar.
• Preferred: Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC).
• Advanced Excel skills (v-lookups, pivot tables, data analysis) and strong attention to detail.
• Maintains confidentiality and handles sensitive information with integrity.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills.
• Ensures accuracy and data integrity in payroll processing.
• Researches and resolves issues with logical problem-solving.
• Clearly communicates payroll information to employees and stakeholders.
• Responds to inquiries with empathy and professionalism.
• Adapts to changing laws, systems, and organizational needs.
• Collaborates effectively with HR, Finance, and other departments.
• Proactively improves processes and delivers results with attention to detail.
• Skilled in time management, prioritization, and meeting deadlines.
• Problem-solves independently and collaboratively with sound analysis.
• Adapts well under pressure, managing shifting priorities and tight deadlines.
• Ability to travel occasionally to other offices and/or to vendor partner meetings.

Up to $50 per hour (based on experience)