Payroll Specialist

Overview

This role involves managing end-to-end payroll processing for a multi-site, multi-state clinical research organization. The Payroll Specialist ensures accurate and timely payroll delivery, maintaining compliance with federal and state regulations. The position requires close collaboration with HR and Finance teams and strong communication skills in a Slack-first environment. Candidates must be located in the Eastern or Central time zone.

Responsibilities

• Process semi-monthly and off-cycle payroll runs for all employees across multiple states, ensuring accuracy and timely delivery.
• Maintain employee payroll records, including new hires, terminations, compensation changes, garnishments, and direct deposit updates.
• Prepare and reconcile payroll reports using Excel, including variance analysis, audit support, and reporting to Finance and HR leadership.
• Respond promptly and professionally to employee payroll inquiries via Slack and email; research and resolve discrepancies.
• Collaborate with HR on benefits deductions, leave of absence pay, and new hire setup to ensure seamless onboarding and payroll changes.
• Support year-end processes such as W-2 preparation, payroll tax reconciliation, and coordination with external tax agencies.
• Maintain audit-ready documentation and ensure compliance with federal and state payroll regulations.

Requirements

• Associate degree required; bachelor's degree preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of payroll processing experience; prior experience with Rippling strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, and data validation; ability to build reporting templates from scratch.
• Working knowledge of multi-state payroll tax compliance, wage and hour laws, and federal payroll regulations.
• Comfortable working in a Slack-first environment, managing asynchronous communication and maintaining clear documentation.
• High degree of discretion and professionalism when handling confidential compensation data.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting benefits administration, 401(k) administration, or HRIS integrations.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) is a plus but not required.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: $75,000 - $90,000 annually.
• 401(k) matching.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Employee assistance program.
• Flexible spending account.
• Health savings account.
• Life insurance.
• Paid time off.
• Parental leave.
• Professional development assistance.

Location

• Candidates must be located in the Eastern or Central time zone.

Additional Information

The organization is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to legally protected statuses. All hires must provide documentation verifying identity and authorization to work in the United States and complete Form I-9 within the required timeframe. The organization participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility.