Senior Payroll Specialist

Our East Coast Union Payroll team is looking for a Senior Union Payroll Associate to join the team. The Senior Union Payroll Associate performs a variety of functions necessary for the accurate and timely processing of multi-state, multi-company, weekly and bi-weekly payrolls for union and non-union freelance employees. The Senior Union Payroll Associate coordinates, validates, and implements work procedures that require comprehensive operational knowledge of union collective bargaining agreements and federal and state regulations related to wage garnishment, taxation, and wage‑hour law.

While there are no direct people responsibilities, the Senior Union Payroll Associate will coordinate independently with other associates, leaders, and teams outside of Payroll Shared Services to accomplish tasks, meet deadlines, champion process improvement initiatives and enhance the employee experience.

Perform all duties necessary to ensure timely and accurate processing of multi-state, multi-company weekly and bi-weekly payrolls for union and non-union freelance employees in accordance with collective bargaining agreements and other contracts and in compliance with applicable policies and federal, state, and local regulations

Process on-demand payments, retroactive payments, one-time payments, tax adjustments, stop payments, void checks, direct deposit reversals, and over payment collections in accordance with policies, collective bargaining agreements, and in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations

Interpret and set up withholding orders for levies, garnishments, child support, and other involuntary wage assignment orders in the payroll system within the regulated period

Understand union pay and paid time off rules, the timekeeping system, and address employee questions as needed

Understand proper taxation of all employee payments, including employer-paid union benefits, and address employee questions as needed

Assist employees and management with questions, concerns, or requests regarding payroll, including properly applying technical knowledge and skills, communicating, and listening effectively

Ensure compliance with all company policies, internal controls, and SOX controls

Serve as a go-to expert for union payroll questions, managing the timely resolution of customer issues, including handling customer escalations, performing and documenting Root Cause Analysis, and implementing remedial procedures to close gaps identified

4+ years of hands‑on union payroll processing experience, preferably with IBEW, IATSE, AFTRA, and/or NABET collective bargaining agreements

Experience with interpreting and setting up withholding orders for levies, garnishments, child support, and other involuntary wage assignment orders

Experience and knowledge of automated time and attendance systems

Experience with initiating and leading standardization and process improvement initiatives

Strong working knowledge of FLSA, federal, state, and local wage and hour, and tax regulations

Strong interpersonal skills – you are approachable, responsive, and team-focused

Ability to interpret collective bargaining agreements for pay and paid time off rules

Intermediate Excel using VLOOKUP and pivots

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Excellent judgment, analytical, and problem-solving skills

High degree of professionalism and solid ability in delivering high-quality customer service and establishing/maintaining effective and collaborative working relationships

Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) or Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation