Senior Payroll Analyst

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Payroll Analyst to independently manage U.S. payroll operations and support international payroll activities. This role is responsible for ensuring accurate and compliant payroll end-to-end processes, while analyzing payroll data, resolving complex issues, interpreting payroll requirements, and exercising independent judgment to recommend appropriate solutions. The Senior Payroll Analyst requires the ability to interpret the U.S. payroll tax regulations and applicable requirements, identify opportunities to strengthen payroll controls, improve processes, enhance Workday reporting, and increase operational efficiency while partnering with HR, Accounting, and other business functions.

• Independently manage the end-to-end U.S. payroll operations, including regular and off-cycle payrolls, payroll adjustments, termination, final pay, garnishments, tax levies, and other payroll activities, and assist with international payroll activities as needed.
• Analyze payroll data, reports, and exceptions to identify compliance risks and operational issues, investigate root causes, and determine or recommend appropriate corrective actions.
• Exercise independent judgment to research and resolve complex payroll matters, involving taxes, garnishments, deductions, one-time payments, wage and hour requirements, ensuring accuracy and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Monitor and interpret U.S. federal, state, and local payroll tax and wage requirements, assess the operational impact of regulatory changes, and recommend updates to payroll processes when appropriate.
• Lead assigned payroll projects and cross-functional initiatives involving payroll, HRIS, Accounting, and external vendors, including process improvements and system enhancements.
• Provide analysis, guidance, and recommendations to the Payroll Manager and the Director of Corporate Accounting regarding compliance risk, control deficiencies, and operational issues, including recommended approach.
• Serve as a key Workday Payroll and Time Tracking resource, including evaluating issues, developing and analyzing payroll reports, supporting testing and troubleshooting, and partnering with HRIS and the payroll manager on system enhancements and releases.
• Perform and oversee the U.S. payroll reconciliations and control activities, including gross-to-net balancing, payroll tax reconciliations, and time-to-payroll reconciliations.
• Identify and implement payroll process and control improvements that increase payroll accuracy, efficiency, compliance, and internal control effectiveness.
• Support quarterly, year-end, and audit activities, including W-2 processing, payroll tax reconciliations, regulatory reporting, and audit requests.
• Develop and maintain payroll documentation, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and process documentation to support consistency and cross-training.
• Participate in cross-functional projects and perform other duties and special projects as assigned by the Payroll Manager or Corporate Accounting Team Lead.

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or related field preferred.
• 7+ years of progressive payroll experience, including 3+ years with Workday payroll modules and related modules such as Time Tracking and Absence.
• 3+ years of experience with Workday report writing and data analysis, including the ability to develop, modify, and troubleshoot reports to support payroll and business needs.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience with U.S. payroll tax compliance, including federal, state, and local payroll taxes, withholding requirements, tax filing, and related regulatory requirements.
• Expert-level Microsoft Excel skills (advanced Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP,…