Payroll Generalist

Overview

A well-established organization is seeking a Payroll Generalist to join its payroll team as part of a planned succession strategy due to an upcoming retirement. This role will support payroll operations for a large population of non‑exempt field employees across multiple business units and offers the opportunity for cross‑training and long‑term growth into a potential leadership position. The Payroll Generalist will work closely with the Payroll Manager, Supervisor, and team members to ensure accurate and compliant payroll processing.

• Process weekly payroll for approximately 1,200 non‑exempt field employees across multiple business units.
• Ensure accurate calculation of wages, overtime, and deductions in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Support multistate payroll processing, including tax with holdings and reporting requirements.
• Manage prevailing wage payroll requirements and related documentation.
• Review payroll data for accuracy and investigate discrepancies prior to final processing.
• Maintain employee payroll records and ensure compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.
• Respond to employee payroll inquiries and resolve issues in a timely manner.
• Assist with payroll reporting, audits, and year‑end activities including W‑2 preparation.
• Collaborate with HR and accounting teams on payroll‑related initiatives and process improvements.
• Participate in cross‑training to support team coverage and succession planning.

• 5+ years of payroll experience, preferably in a high‑volume environment.
• Strong understanding of payroll laws, taxes, and multistate payroll requirements.
• Experience supporting non‑exempt employee populations; construction or field workforce experience is a plus.
• Knowledge of prevailing wage payroll is preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership potential or interest in growing into a leadership role.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify and resolve payroll discrepancies independently.
• Proficiency with payroll systems and Microsoft Excel.
• Excellent attention to detail, organization, and communication skills.