Senior HRIS & Payroll Analyst

Overview

This role is responsible for the administration, optimization, and continuous improvement of the organization’s Human Resource Management Systems (HRMS), time and attendance, payroll processes, HR data administration, compliance, and reporting. The position actively monitors the external regulatory landscape and ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements—particularly multi-state payroll tax and reporting obligations in a remote-first work environment.

The role serves as a key liaison between Human Resources, Finance, Legal, IT, and external vendors to ensure data accuracy and integrity, system functionality, reporting accuracy, compliance, efficient business processes, scalability, and high-quality service.

This position reports to the Managing Director, Human Resources in the People Experience Solutions (PES) Division.

Responsibilities

HRMS Administration and Support

• Serve as the primary administrator and subject matter expert for the organization’s HRMS and related Total Rewards systems, including payroll, time and attendance, recognition, retirement, and benefits platforms.
• Lead and maintain system configurations, workflows, security roles, business rules, integrations, data feeds, and system access to support performance, security, confidentiality, and data integrity.
• Partner with HR, Finance, IT, and vendors to translate and implement business requirements into system enhancements, automation, and process improvements (including benefits open enrollment setup, data feeds, and integrations).
• Coordinate system testing, upgrades, patches, implementations, and new functionality; troubleshoot complex system and data issues through end-to-end resolution.
• Manage HRMS transactions across the employee lifecycle, including hires, job and compensation changes, transfers, leave, organizational changes, and terminations.
• Maintain system documentation, procedures, and controls; support evaluation and implementation of integrated workforce management solutions, including participation in RFPs, systems upgrades, and optimization activities as needed.

Payroll Administration and Operations

• Lead and administer payroll operations to ensure employees are paid accurately and on schedule, coordinating with a third-party payroll provider and other external partners.
• Oversee third-party payroll provider activities and ensure SLAs are met.
• Review and process payroll transactions, including earnings, deductions, benefits, taxes, garnishments, and adjustments, as well as employee status changes.
• Establish payroll quality controls; perform audits and reconciliations to identify and resolve discrepancies before payroll is finalized.
• Maintain accurate payroll records, approvals, and documentation.
• Process required post-payroll activities, including retirement and HSA/FSA contribution processing.
• Partner with Finance to support payroll funding and accounting reconciliations.
• Process vendor invoices and ensure timely payments are processed, as assigned.
• Lead quarterly and year-end payroll activities with the third-party provider, including W-2 preparation, reconciliations, reporting, and required filings; monitor regulatory changes and implement necessary compliance updates.

Time and Attendance

• Administer and maintain the time and attendance process and system, including time capture, scheduling, attendance, leave processes, pay rules, and related configurations.
• Reconcile timekeeping data and resolve discrepancies that may affect payroll processing, partnering with HR, managers, and employees.
• Monitor compliance with company policies and applicable federal, state, and local wage-and-hour requirements.
• Provide user support, training, job aids, and guidance on timekeeping policies, processes, and system functionality.
• Lead or support time and attendance implementations, upgrades, and optimization efforts to improve functionality, adoption, and efficiency.

Data Management and Reports

• Maintain accurate and timely employee data throughout the employee lifecycle; establish regular audits to ensure data standards and integrity across HR and payroll systems.
• Monitor interfaces, integrations, data feeds, and vendor file exchanges to ensure complete, accurate, and timely data transmission.
• Support data privacy, audit, and control requirements, including internal and external audits related to HR, benefits, payroll, and systems.
• Develop and maintain reports, dashboards, queries, and data exports for HR, Finance, leadership, regulatory requirements, and business decision-making.
• Maintain reporting standards, delivery methodology, and report inventory; leverage reporting and business intelligence tools to improve workforce insights and decision support.

Compliance Reporting and Support

• Maintain required federal and state employment notices and compliance postings.
• Support annual retirement and health and welfare plan audits, Form 5500 filings, compliance notices, and related documentation, as assigned.
• Prepare, reconcile, and submit required workforce compliance reports, including EEO and VETS reporting and applicable state filings.
• Conduct due diligence for employment in new states with Legal and Finance; monitor employee work-location changes for policy, employment, and payroll tax compliance.
• Respond to unemployment information requests and maintain supporting records and documentation.

Workers Compensation Administration

• Administer the organization’s workers’ compensation program and serve as the primary liaison with insurance carriers, brokers, case managers, and other external partners.
• Lead the annual workers’ compensation premium audit, including payroll records, employee classification codes, requested documentation, and audit recordkeeping, partnering with Finance and Legal as needed.
• Monitor workers’ compensation regulatory requirements and implement process changes needed to maintain compliance.
• Coordinate workplace injury and illness claim intake, documentation, timely reporting, follow-up, and resolution from initiation through closure; adhere to OSHA requirements, as applicable.
• Partner with HR, Benefits, Leave Administrator, and managers on overlapping workers’ compensation activities involving FMLA, ADA, disability leave, return-to-work, and transitional duty.
• Monitor vendor performance, service levels, claim trends, and cost-containment opportunities; participate in vendor reviews, renewals, and service evaluations.

Process Improvement & Training Support

• Evaluate HRMS, time and attendance, and payroll processes; implement improvements that increase accuracy, efficiency, automation, data flow, and service quality.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures, process documentation, training materials, user guides, and job aids.
• Provide guidance and conduct training for HR colleagues, managers, employees, and business users on HRMS, payroll, and related processes.
• Communicate complex payroll and HRMS information clearly to employees and stakeholders; participate in HR, payroll, HRMS, and organizational projects as assigned.
• Explore and implement innovative optimization solutions to improve scalability, flexibility, employee experience, and support organizational growth.

Position may be required to perform other duties as assigned. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, social sciences, business, or any related field. A combination of education and experience including military service will also be considered.
• 6 years of direct and relevant experience administering or supporting HRMS, HCM, HRIS, or similar enterprise human resources systems.
• Experience with enterprise HR technology platforms such as UKG, Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, Oracle HCM, ADP, Dayforce, or comparable systems, including system configuration, integrations, data management, reporting, upgrades, or process improvements.
• 2 years of experience in payroll processing, audits and reconciliations, payroll controls, and compliance with applicable payroll regulations.
• Strong HRMS/HR technology expertise, including HRMS/HCM functionality, configuration, integrations, workflows, security, and data administration.
• Working knowledge of payroll processing, controls, reconciliations, payroll taxes, and multi-state payroll requirements.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate employee and payroll data.
• Strong ability to analyze data, identify trends and discrepancies, and develop meaningful reports and dashboards.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex system, payroll, and data issues and drive resolution.
• Ability to identify opportunities for automation, streamline processes, and optimize HR technology.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel (including formulas, pivot tables, macros).
• Understanding of applicable payroll, employment, data privacy, and audit requirements.
• Ability to communicate technical and payroll information clearly and partner effectively with HR, Finance, IT, vendors, managers, and employees.
• Must reside within a commutable distance to Herndon, VA (preferred) or in one of the organization’s approved States for hiring purposes located in the Eastern Time Zone.
• Must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. The organization does not intend to sponsor external applicants for work visas and may consider sponsorship only if no qualified candidates can be found who are authorized to work without sponsorship.
• Must be at least 18 years old.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience and working knowledge of UKG Pro, TimeStar.
• Experience supporting multi-state payroll or payroll across multiple jurisdictions.
• Experience developing HR workforce analytics, or data quality initiatives.
• Experience in HR Programs, Benefits, Compensation, Workers Compensation.
• Knowledge of SQL, Power BI, Tableau, or similar reporting and analytics tools.
• Professional certification such as Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC), SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP, PHR/SPHR, or a relevant HR technology certification.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range

• Between $104,478 and $135,000.

The pay range represents a good faith estimate and is not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Base pay offers consider responsibilities and scope of the role, as well as a candidate’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, abilities, internal equity, and alignment with market data.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance; life and disability insurance for employees and eligible dependents.
• Health care, dependent care, and limited purpose flexible spending accounts; health savings account with annual employer contributions of $300 for employees and $600 for employees enrolled with their spouse and/or dependents.
• Voluntary supplemental health plans for Accident and Hospital Indemnity coverage and infertility coverage.
• Very generous 401k matching contribution program with opportunity to defer pre-tax and Roth contributions, plus catch-up contributions where eligible.
• Paid leave program including vacation, sick, and personal time, and paid holidays.
• Up to 3 weeks of paid parental leave during a 12-month period.
• Up to 5 days of paid military leave per calendar year.
• Vacation accrues based on length of service; new full-time hires can accrue up to 13 days of vacation and up to 10 days of sick time per year.
• On an annual basis, new employees may use up to 32 hours of accrued sick time as personal time.
• At least 15 paid holidays per year, including year-end close between Christmas and New Year’s.
• Option for reimbursement for basic wholesale company and roadside assistance memberships (e.g., Costco and AAA).
• Option to request a buy back on portions of unused accrued vacation based on tenure and certain other qualifications.
• Employee Education Assistance Program for qualified education expenses upon successful completion.
• Access to an enterprise-wide LinkedIn Learning subscription.
• Mental health benefits including up to eight free therapy sessions for employees and their family members, plus well-being reward benefits.
• As an eligible 501(3)(c) nonprofit organization, employees are eligible for service credit towards the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

Location

• Remote-first position.
• Candidates must reside within a reasonable distance to commute to the office when required.
• Preferred location: Herndon, VA.
• Otherwise: must reside in one of the organization’s approved States for hiring purposes located in the Eastern Time Zone.