Senior Payroll Operations Analyst

Senior Payroll Operations Analyst – responsible for ensuring payroll transaction accuracy, operational controls, reconciliations, reporting, and compliance across the payroll function. The role partners with HR, Finance, Accounting and external providers to support payroll administration, issue resolution, reporting, process optimization and operational execution.

• Payroll Operations & Transaction Support
  • Support payroll processing activities to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and consistency across recurring payroll cycles.
  • Review and validate payroll transactions, adjustments, earnings, deductions, and related data changes.
  • Research and resolve payroll discrepancies by partnering with HR, Finance, Accounting, field leadership, and external vendors.
  • Support complex payroll cases, escalations, and off‑cycle processing needs as required.
  • Assist with periodic and year‑end payroll activities, including data validation, reporting, corrections, and employee inquiry support.
  • Maintain current knowledge of payroll practices, internal policies, and applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
• Reconciliations, Reporting & Controls
  • Perform payroll‑related reconciliations, including payroll liabilities, deductions, benefit‑related activity, tax‑related activity, and general ledger support.
  • Investigate variances across payroll, HRIS, vendor, and financial systems; recommend corrective actions where appropriate.
  • Support month‑end, quarter‑end, and year‑end close activities through timely reporting, analysis, and documentation.
  • Partner with Accounting and Finance to support payroll‑related accruals, reporting, and financial analysis.
  • Provide documentation and support for internal and external audits, compliance reviews, and control testing.
  • Contribute to the enhancement of payroll controls, reporting standards, and operational procedures.
• Compliance & Vendor Coordination
  • Support compliance‑related payroll activities, including periodic reporting, data reviews, agency/vendor inquiries, and issue resolution.
  • Coordinate with payroll service providers and external partners to research and resolve processing, reporting, or compliance‑related matters.
  • Assist with regulatory updates, payroll notices, and required follow‑up in partnership with internal stakeholders and third‑party providers.
  • Support ongoing documentation of payroll procedures, controls, and best practices.
• Team Support & Operational Leadership
  • Serve as a senior resource for payroll team members by providing guidance, coaching, and support on payroll processes, reconciliations, compliance‑related activities, and issue resolution.
  • Support onboarding, training, and development of junior payroll team members through knowledge sharing, process walkthroughs, and review of work as appropriate.
  • Act as a backup to the Payroll Manager for selected operational activities, escalations, reporting, meetings, and follow‑up items as needed.
  • Lead or coordinate assigned payroll work streams, projects, audits, process improvements, or recurring operational activities.
  • Help monitor team workload, deadlines, and deliverables to support accurate and timely completion of payroll‑related activities.
  • Escalate risks, issues, or resource constraints to the Payroll Manager and support resolution planning.
  • Promote consistent payroll practices, strong controls, and a high standard of service across the payroll team.
• Expense, Systems & Process Support
  • Provide operational support for employee reimbursement, expense‑related data, or adjacent payroll/finance processes as needed.
  • Support system updates, enhancements, testing, and optimization across payroll, HRIS, and related platforms.
  • Identify process improvement opportunities that improve accuracy, efficiency, scalability, and employee experience.
  • Develop and maintain process documentation, job aids, reporting templates, and standard operating procedures.
  • Participate in cross‑functional initiatives involving Payroll, HR, Finance, Accounting, and external vendors.

• 3–5+ years of progressive payroll, payroll operations, HR operations, accounting operations, or related experience.
• Payroll tax experience required, including exposure…