Payroll & Benefits Senior Analyst

Overview

This role is responsible for the accurate and compliant execution of regional payroll and benefits activities within the Payroll & Benefits COE for the Americas countries. The position requires strong technical payroll knowledge and experience in payroll & benefits administration, with particular expertise in US payroll, payroll tax compliance, and multi-state requirements.

The role reports to the Regional Payroll & Benefits Lead – Americas and sits within the Payroll, Benefit and Reward team within HR. You will work closely with HR Ops, HR Business Partners, Finance, and external payroll and benefits providers.

Responsibilities

• Prepare payroll changes using PowerBi-driven changes from D365, as well as ad hoc manual changes for processing, including payroll preparation, processing, validation/variance checking, and query administration in line with local in-country legislation and business policy. Obtain regional leader approval.
• Support scheduled payroll tax payments and other statutory payments to the relevant authorities/local governments for employees, in accordance with statutory requirements.
• Ensure compliance with statutory and legal obligations applicable to payroll matters and that internal and external deadlines are met, with a focus on US federal, state, and local payroll tax requirements and multi-state payroll compliance.
• Perform and/or support payroll reconciliations, including payroll-to-GL, payroll funding, payroll tax, and benefits reconciliations; investigate and resolve discrepancies; ensure appropriate documentation and escalation where required.
• Create and maintain required documentation such as SOPs, checklists, and country guides.
• Maintain accurate records relating to payroll and statutory/tax payments and respond to authorized individuals with respect to payroll queries.
• Continuously review payroll processes and changes to identify improvement opportunities and system/process control weaknesses, then implement actions to improve or address control-related issues.
• Answer payroll and benefits queries from employees, Human Resources, and third parties/providers (e.g., pension companies, insurers, payroll providers).
• Manage day-to-day benefits activities, including US programs administration such as 401K, LOA, medical, dental, STD/LTD; coordinate with vendors; monitor service delivery; and resolve issues in a timely manner.
• Enroll new hires and terminate leavers in the benefits portal.
• Prepare the benefits payroll deduction file prior to each payroll cycle.
• Support annual open enrollment.
• Support year-end payroll activities, including US W-2 processes, payroll tax reconciliations, reporting, and resolution of year-end discrepancies, working with payroll providers and internal stakeholders as required.
• Support implementation and data management activities, including new M&A, transfers, vendor changes, and optimization projects within regional payrolls, working closely with the Regional Lead for direction.
• Provide cross-regional payroll coverage as required to ensure business continuity across the Americas payroll portfolio.

Requirements

• Proven track record of US payroll processing with strong multi-state payroll experience.
• Experience supporting Canada and Bermuda payroll is desirable.
• Experience with Mexico and/or other LATAM countries is desirable.
• Strong technical knowledge of US payroll tax compliance, including federal, state and local withholding, unemployment taxes, statutory payments, tax filings, multi-state taxation, and year-end reporting requirements.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of US multi-state payroll requirements, including state-specific payroll taxation and termination/final pay requirements.
• Experience with California payroll taxes is desirable.
• Understanding and practical experience of US payroll benefits, including 401(k), benefit deductions, and leave of absence impacts on payroll.
• Experience with payroll reconciliations and the ability to investigate and resolve payroll, tax, and benefits discrepancies.
• Experience working with external payroll and benefits providers, including issue resolution and monitoring of service delivery.
• Knowledge and understanding of HR, Benefits, and Payroll interfaces and upstream/downstream impacts.
• Strong communication (written and verbal), interpersonal, and influencing skills.
• Proactive, agile, analytical, and solution-oriented approach.
• Ability to work independently and coordinate multiple workstreams through planning, prioritising, and multitasking in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.
• English and Spanish essential.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Accounting, Finance, or Payroll-related qualifications are desirable.

Preferred Qualifications

• A recognised payroll certification such as FPC or CPP, or an equivalent relevant payroll qualification (highly desirable).

Compensation & Benefits

• Not specified in the provided description.

Location

• Americas countries (regional role covering payroll and benefits activities across the Americas portfolio).