Senior Payroll Specialist

Overview

This role supports end-to-end payroll operations across the U.S. and Canada with a focus on accuracy, compliance, and process improvement. The position is 100% remote within the U.S. This role requires hands-on experience with ADP Workforce Now and strong cross-functional collaboration, particularly in a unionized environment.

Responsibilities

Payroll Processing

• Administer full-cycle, multi-jurisdictional payrolls in the U.S. and Canada using ADP Workforce Now
• Ensure timely and accurate processing of regular and off-cycle payrolls, including bonuses, retroactive pay, and terminations
• Review and reconcile payroll data with HR, benefits, and finance inputs
• Process payroll in accordance with collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), ensuring accurate application of union-specific wage rates, shift differentials, premiums, and contractual pay provisions
• Review and validate union employee earnings, including overtime calculations, call-out pay, guaranteed hours, per diem, and other negotiated compensation elements
• Administer and reconcile union dues deductions, initiation fees, and other labor-related payroll deductions in accordance with CBAs and applicable regulations
• Coordinate with HR, Operations, and Labor Relations teams to ensure payroll changes related to union contracts, grievances, and negotiated settlements are processed accurately
• Maintain payroll records and supporting documentation for represented employees to ensure compliance with contractual and audit requirements

Compliance & Controls

• Ensure payroll is processed in compliance with federal, state/provincial, and local laws
• Maintain and update standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all payroll-related processes
• Support internal and external audits by providing payroll data and documentation
• Ensure payroll practices comply with collective bargaining agreements, labor regulations, prevailing wage requirements, and applicable federal, state, and local laws
• Assist with payroll audits related to union contracts, labor compliance reviews, and employee compensation matters
• Research and resolve payroll discrepancies involving represented employees, escalating contractual interpretation issues as appropriate

Systems & Time Tracking

• Maintain accurate payroll system configurations and support continuous data quality improvements
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders on system clean-up and process optimization initiatives in ADP
• UKG time management experience is a plus, particularly for timecard validation and integration

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with HR, Finance, Operations, and IT to ensure data accuracy and process alignment
• Act as a subject matter expert for payroll questions and escalations
• Communicate payroll timelines, changes, and deliverables clearly to internal teams
• Serve as a payroll subject matter expert on union payroll matters and partner with HR Business Partners, Labor Relations, and operational leaders to address payroll inquiries
• Support implementation of payroll changes resulting from collective bargaining negotiations, contract ratifications, wage increases, and other labor-related agreements

Continuous Improvement

• Identify and implement scalable, efficient payroll practices
• Contribute to ongoing system and process upgrades to support business growth and operational excellence

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 3–5+ years of payroll experience, including multi-state U.S. and Canadian payroll
• Experience processing payroll for unionized workforces and interpreting collective bargaining agreements (CBAs)
• Knowledge of union payroll practices, including union dues administration, contract wage structures, overtime rules, shift premiums, and negotiated compensation programs
• Experience supporting payroll compliance in a unionized environment, including labor-related audits and reporting requirements
• Ability to interpret and apply payroll provisions outlined in collective bargaining agreements while ensuring accuracy and compliance
• Hands-on experience with ADP Workforce Now — required
• Familiarity with UKG time management — a plus
• Strong knowledge of payroll compliance, tax regulations, wage laws, and reporting requirements
• Experience developing or maintaining SOPs and internal controls
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; comfortable in a remote, collaborative work environment
• Proven ability to handle sensitive/confidential information with discretion and professionalism
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail; able to identify discrepancies and solve problems quickly
• Experience working in a high-volume, fast-growing company is highly desirable

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC)
• Experience supporting global or M&A-related payroll transitions
• Familiarity with general ledger interfaces, payroll journal entries, and financial reconciliations
• Working knowledge of HRIS/payroll integrations and process mapping
• Experience supporting multiple union contracts across different locations, business units, or jurisdictions
• Familiarity with prevailing wage requirements, labor compliance reporting, and payroll administration within regulated industries
• Experience partnering with Labor Relations, HR Business Partners, and operational leadership regarding payroll matters affecting represented employees

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: $75,000.00

Benefits include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance (enrollment starting on Day 1; coverage begins the first of the month following 30-days of employment)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Gym discount
• Mental health resources
• Discounted Group Life & AD&D
• Discounted Group Short & Long-term Disability
• 401(k) retirement matching (immediate 100% vesting; plus a 3% employer match and a 50% match on the next 2%)
• PTO/paid holidays
• Parental leave
• Employee Assistance Program (available to all employees, even if not enrolled in the benefits package)
• Employer-paid holidays: 8 company-paid holidays and 2 floating holidays

Location

• 100% remote within the U.S.