Senior Payroll & Reporting Specialist

Overview

• Workstyle: Remote (primarily sedentary, home-based)
• Reports to: Senior Manager, Payroll
• Location/Eligibility: This is a remote position; however, to be eligible for hire, candidates must reside in a state where the organization is registered to do business as an employer. Eligible states currently include: AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, ME, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV.
• Travel: Minimal travel; determined by business needs and may include occasional trips for key meetings, collaboration opportunities, or area-connected events.
• Application timeframe: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and will continue until the position is filled.

Responsibilities

• Execute bi-weekly multi-state, multi-entity payroll runs end-to-end, including on-cycle, off-cycle, severance, bonuses, and commission payouts, within established controls.
• Audit and reconcile payroll-impacting changes (new hires, terminations, compensation updates, garnishments) against source systems to ensure data integrity.
• Perform independent reasonableness checks and source-data verification for final wage and leave payout calculations prior to payment release.
• Build, run, and analyze recurring pay registers, deduction audits, tax withholding checks, and retro/adjustment reports using Workday and advanced Excel.
• Lead assigned payroll system/process projects, including workflow configurations and Workday testing, and provide substantiated rationale for technical updates.
• Research and resolve complex payroll tickets independently; escalate unresolved risks to the Senior Manager with documented context and recommended solutions.
• Triage agency tax notices, resolving routine matters independently and supporting quarterly tax account reviews under Senior Manager direction.
• Maintain, document, and update standard operating procedures (SOPs), audit evidence, and verification logs for non-routine payroll transactions.

Requirements

• 3–5 years of progressive payroll experience processing complex, multi-state payrolls (multi-entity experience preferred).
• Proven ability to independently run end-to-end bi-weekly payroll processing, including off-cycle adjustments, severance, and commission calculations.
• Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups, SUMIFS, handling large datasets, and building reconciliation templates.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Workday Payroll and reporting tools, including hands-on experience with system testing and release validation.
• Strong analytical and mathematical skills, including payroll balancing, variance analysis, and month-end reconciliations.
• Deep functional knowledge of payroll compliance, tax treatments, and agency notice triage.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment on non-routine payments, including verifying source data before finalizing transactions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or equivalent certification.
• Hands-on experience with payroll tax registrations and agency notice administration.

Compensation & Benefits

• Compensation: Salaried, exempt position with a pay range of $70,000–$93,000. Placement within the range depends on factors including knowledge, skills, years and depth of experience, and equity with internal team members.
• Paid time off: Generous paid time off policies and major paid holidays.
• Health coverage: Medical, dental, and vision coverage at low cost through a PPO or HDHP plan.
• Wellness: Virtual medical consultations through MDLIVE and mental health services through some preferred partners.
• Family-friendly benefits:
  • Up to 14 weeks of fully paid parental leave for birthing parents (6 weeks STD + 8 weeks parental leave)
  • 8 weeks of fully paid parental leave for non-birthing parents
  • Adoption assistance, pet insurance, caregiver leave, and fertility benefits.
• Financial wellness:
  • 401(k) with company matching
  • Employer HSA contributions for eligible plans
  • Life & AD&D insurance
  • Flexible spending account options and resources to help manage financial milestones.
• Professional development: Training programs, certifications, and tuition assistance.

Physical Requirements

• Primarily sedentary, home-based role requiring the ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods while working at a computer.
• Regular use of standard office equipment (computer, keyboard, mouse, telephone).
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Equal Opportunity / Background Check / AI Use

• Equal opportunity employer.
• Offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal background check (prior conviction does not automatically rescind an offer; decision is case-by-case and compliant with applicable law).
• AI tools may be used for assessment or take-home exercises as long as submitted work represents the candidate’s own understanding; AI tools may not be used during live interviews to generate, draft, suggest, or influence responses.
• The organization provides accommodations for qualified disabled applicants to participate in the selection process.
• E-Verify participation in certain locations as required by law.