Payroll Specialist

Overview

This Payroll Specialist role supports multi-entity, multi-state payroll operations with a strong focus on time & attendance administration, scheduling, FLSA compliance, and overtime calculations. The position helps ensure accurate payroll processing, adherence to federal and state wage-and-hour regulations, and timely resolution of payroll-related issues.

Responsibilities

• Administer and maintain a timekeeping system for timecards and scheduling.
• Audit employee timecard punches and schedules to ensure accurate tracking of worked hours.
• Partner with clubs to support timekeeping and scheduling shift needs.
• Ensure compliance with FLSA, federal, state, and local wage-and-hour regulations.
• Validate and audit time data, including hours worked, PTO, overtime, premiums, seasonal coach hours, accurate calculation of wages, and blended-rate overtime.
• Maintain payroll records for new hires, terminations, pay changes, locations, and tax elections.
• Review payroll audits and preview reports to identify, investigate, and resolve discrepancies prior to payroll submission.
• Validate employee work locations and tax setups to ensure proper withholding and compliance with local tax jurisdiction requirements.
• Support payroll tax administration, including tax account registrations, filings, reconciliations, and resolution of payroll tax notices.
• Assist with year-end payroll activities, including W-2 processing, taxable benefit reporting, corrections, and reconciliations.
• Create ad hoc reports in the payroll/time system to support audit and reporting needs.
• Participate in payroll system updates, testing, workflow improvements, and onboarding of newly acquired clubs.
• Maintain and enhance payroll SOPs; recommend process improvements to reduce manual work and standardize practices.
• Provide timely and professional payroll support across the organization.
• Maintain confidentiality of payroll and employee information.

Requirements

• Strong knowledge of U.S. payroll regulations, including FLSA and multi-state wage-and-hour rules.
• Proficiency with payroll/HCM systems such as Rippling, Paycor, ADP, UKG, Workday.
• Strong knowledge of Rippling T&A and Payroll, including payroll processing, employee time tracking, schedules, and reporting.
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in Excel/Google Sheets (lookups, pivot tables, validations).
• Excellent attention to detail, accuracy, and follow-through.
• Ability to troubleshoot timekeeping/Time and Attendance and payroll issues and identify root causes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate payroll concepts for employees.
• Highly organized with the ability to prioritize and meet tight deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in sports, entertainment, hospitality, or high-growth/startup environments.

Education & Experience

• 5+ years of hands-on U.S. multi-state, multi-entity payroll experience.
• Experience using Rippling Time & Attendance, Scheduling, and Payroll.
• Experience supporting payroll tax setup, reconciliations, and year-end reporting.

Compensation & Benefits

• FLSA Status: Exempt

Location

• Remote (U.S.-based) with occasional travel for site visits and business-related events.
• Work Environment & Physical Requirements (Remote):
  • Ability to operate a computer and use a keyboard, mouse, and video conferencing tools.
  • Ability to clearly communicate via video, phone, and written channels.
  • Ability to participate in meetings with video enabled.
  • Dedicated remote workspace with a dual-monitor or multi-monitor setup.
  • Occasional travel will be required for site visits and events.