Senior Payroll Specialist

Overview

A global industrial technology organization is seeking a Senior Payroll Specialist to support accurate, compliant, and timely payroll processing across the United States. This role is part of the Corporate HR Shared Services team within the Global Payroll function, which is currently transitioning from a decentralized to a standardized and scalable global payroll model.

The position is primarily aligned with the Chicago, IL area (Wood Dale office), with a preference for candidates located nearby to support occasional office needs. The role is fully remote but requires proximity to the Chicago area.

Responsibilities

• Execute end-to-end payroll processing for multiple US pay groups and legal entities, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely delivery.
• Manage key payroll lifecycle components including data validation, reconciliations, issue resolution, and final payroll outputs.
• Support payroll execution within a Workday–ADP environment, including pre-processing, validation, and troubleshooting.
• Administer complex pay components such as commissions, bonuses, equity transactions, severance, and retroactive adjustments in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Monitor payroll timelines and proactively escalate risks related to incomplete or delayed inputs.
• Perform payroll reviews and reconciliations to identify and resolve discrepancies before finalization.
• Maintain SOX-compliant, audit-ready documentation and support audit requests.
• Manage employee lifecycle payroll activities including new hires, changes, and separations.
• Respond to employee payroll inquiries through shared inbox or ticketing systems.
• Prepare payroll reports and provide accurate, timely data to stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and contribute to standardization and automation initiatives.
• Operate effectively in a dynamic environment while maintaining strong control discipline.

Requirements

• 5–7 years of experience in US payroll operations covering multi-state and multi-entity environments.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Human Resources, or a related field.
• Strong experience with ADP platforms including Enterprise, eTime, Smart Compliance, and Reporting.
• Advanced knowledge of US payroll regulations at federal, state, and local levels.
• Proven ability to manage end-to-end payroll processes with accountability.
• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification strongly preferred.
• Experience with Workday or similar Human Capital Management (HCM) systems.
• Background in shared services or global payroll environments.
• Experience with payroll transformation or process improvement initiatives.
• Demonstrated leadership mindset, even in an individual contributor role.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: $70,000 - $90,000 USD per year.
• Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical, dental, vision insurance, and 401(k) plan for eligible employees.

Note: Compensation will be based on factors such as education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and organizational needs. Bonus, commission, and other forms of compensation are discretionary and subject to change.

Location

• Remote position with preference for candidates located near Chicago, IL (Wood Dale office) to support occasional onsite needs.

Additional Information

• This is an individual contributor role with strong ownership and growth potential.
• The organization is committed to equal opportunity employment regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected characteristics.
• Reasonable accommodations are available for individuals with disabilities during the application and interview process.
• US applicants may redact age-identifying information from submitted materials without penalty.