Senior Payroll Specialist
23 hours ago
Richardson
Job DescriptionCLIENT HIGHLIGHTThe Client you will be working for is a Global Leader in design, engineering, and delivery of facilities for high-tech industries. This opportunity will give you the chance to grow your career and contribute to engineering excellence for the high-tech markets of the future, including semiconductors, batteries, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and data centers.LOCATIONRichardson, TXCOMPENSATION$35-40 per hourSCHEDULEOn-site: Monday-Friday (40 hours per week)7:30 AM – 4:30 PM CSTMust be willing to adhere to a flexible schedule (early mornings, extended hours as needed)Hybrid option available after training: 3 days in office / 2 days from homeCONTRACT LENGTH6 months, with strong potential for extension into next yearPOSITION OVERVIEW: Senior Payroll Specialist The Senior Payroll Specialist is responsible for leading accurate and timely payroll processing across a rapidly expanding U.S. workforce, including union, non-union, contract, salaried, and hourly employees. This is a highly technical payroll role requiring deep expertise in system integrations, multi-state compliance, and HRIS/payroll data management—not just “pushing the button” to process payroll.This role will be a key contributor to large-scale payroll integrations as the company doubles its U.S. headcount (expanding from ~2,000 employees across 3 payrolls to 6–7 payrolls). The specialist will work closely with HR, IT, Finance, Legal, Tax, and Operations, as well as global contacts in Europe and Asia, to ensure seamless and compliant payroll operations.RESPONSIBILITIES • Lead biweekly and weekly payroll processing across multiple entities and states, ensuring compliance with complex state-specific rules (e.g., California, Vermont) and union agreements (25+ CBAs)., • Manage payroll for both U.S.-based and global shadow employees, addressing varying wage requirements., • Oversee payroll integrations during company acquisitions, including system testing, parallel runs, and exception management., • Review, interpret, and validate data flowing through interfaces and scripts across multiple HRIS and payroll systems., • Partner with IT on system integrations, middleware, and interface builds (e.g., timeclock changes, new union setups)., • Audit systems and reconcile data to ensure accuracy and integrity of payroll inputs and outputs., • Serve as first-line support for employee inquiries, ticket resolution, and troubleshooting timecard or payroll discrepancies., • Process new hire documents, terminations, and personal change notices (PCNs)., • Generate payroll-related reports and reconciliations, including per diem and expense-related payroll adjustments., • Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Legal, HR, IT, Tax, Finance, and Operations) on payroll-related matters., • Communicate effectively with global contacts in Germany, Singapore, Northern Europe, and North America., • Contribute to payroll process improvements by identifying creative solutions and thinking outside the box., • Provide back-up coverage for team members and cross-train across all payroll functions.QUALIFICATIONS, • 5–10+ years of U.S. payroll operations experience covering multi-state, exempt/non-exempt, hourly, and union/non-union employees, • Full-cycle payroll ownership — from data entry and validation to final review, reconciliations, and tax reporting, • Proficiency in enterprise payroll systems such as ADP, Workday, SAP, Oracle, or Dayforce, • Strong technical aptitude — able to interpret, audit, and troubleshoot complex data flows and integrations, • Analytical and detail-oriented, with proven ability to identify discrepancies and drive proactive resolution, • Advanced Excel skills including pivot tables, lookups, and analysis of large datasets, • Thorough understanding of federal and state payroll regulations, wage and hour laws, and union payroll practices, • Excellent communication skills — comfortable interfacing with leadership, finance, and cross-functional teams, • Mindset: “Lives and breathes payroll” — motivated by accuracy, compliance, and continuous process improvement, • Certifications: Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) or Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) strongly preferredNICE-TO-HAVES, • Experience with non-standard or custom payroll environments and abstract or project-based payroll work, • Prior experience with Oracle (required), SAP S/4HANA (preferred), SuccessFactors HRIS, and timekeeping systems such as GTMS, • Familiarity with middleware or third-party payroll providers (e.g., Strada, Eureka), • Experience with ADP Vantage Payroll a plus, • Background in construction or project payroll (multiple job codes, labor costing, union complexity), • Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive data with discretion and accuracy, • Collaborative, adaptable team player with flexibility to step in where needed and support global payroll deadlinesPREFERRED BACKGROUND, • Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, HR, or IT-related field (preferred but not required), • Previous job titles may include: Senior Payroll Specialist, Payroll Systems Specialist, HRIS/Payroll Analyst, or Payroll Operations Lead, • Experience bridging IT systems and payroll operations highly valuedWHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE IN THIS ROLE, • Within 3 months: Independently runs payroll processes, validates data accuracy, and serves as a reliable payroll backup, • Demonstrates strong problem-solving, analytical, and cross-functional collaboration skills, • Builds trust and credibility through accuracy, attention to detail, and proactive issue resolution, • Approaches challenges with humility, adaptability, and a solutions-driven mindset, • Contributes to continuous process improvement and standardization of payroll operations