Payroll Lead, NA

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The Payroll Lead, NA, is responsible for the day-to-day execution and operational control of U.S. and Canadian payroll. This hands-on role leads two Payroll Specialists, ensures payroll is processed accurately and on time, and serves as the operational payroll resource for routine and complex payroll matters.

The Payroll Lead partners closely with the Payroll Manager, NA, and the Workday Analyst, Payroll, to strengthen controls, resolve issues, improve processes, and support payroll system changes. The role is expected to independently manage daily payroll operations while escalating material compliance, policy, or strategic matters to the Payroll Manager.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:
· Lead end-to-end payroll operations for the U.S. and Canada, including payroll calendars, inputs, validations, approvals, funding coordination, off-cycle payrolls, and post-payroll activities.
· Guide two Payroll Specialists by reviewing their work and output, providing coaching, and ensuring effective cross-training and coverage across payroll processes.
· Perform and oversee payroll audits and reconciliations, investigate variances, and ensure accurate gross-to-net results, deductions, taxes, and payroll-related data before payroll is finalized.
· Serve as the first escalation point for complex payroll issues, including retroactive pay, terminations, multi-state or cross-border questions, taxable earnings, garnishments, and payroll corrections.
· Coordinate quarter-end and year-end payroll activities, including tax balancing, employee tax forms, adjustments, and issue resolution with internal partners and payroll vendors.
· Maintain strong payroll controls, process documentation, and operating procedures, and support compliance with applicable federal, state, provincial, and local payroll requirements.
· Partner with the Workday Analyst, Payroll, on system defects, configuration changes, testing, integrations, releases, reporting, and automation opportunities that affect payroll operations.
· Collaborate with HR, Finance, Benefits, and other stakeholders to resolve payroll matters and provide clear, timely communication on payroll impacts and required actions.
· Identify recurring issues and process gaps, recommend practical improvements, and help standardize and simplify payroll operations without compromising controls or compliance.
· Provide operational coverage during absences and ensure payroll can continue without reliance on a single individual or undocumented process.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR:

· 3+ years of progressive payroll experience, including hands-on responsibility for complex or high-volume U.S. payroll operations.
· Strong knowledge of multi-state payroll, wage and hour requirements, payroll taxation, deductions, garnishments, reconciliations, and quarter/year-end processing.
· Strong analytical and reconciliation skills, sound judgment, and the ability to independently investigate and resolve payroll issues.
· Strong Excel skills and comfort working with payroll reports, data validation, and large data sets.
· Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across Payroll, HR, Finance, Benefits, and external vendors.
· Workday Payroll experience strongly preferred, with the ability to partner effectively with a dedicated payroll systems analyst.
· Canadian payroll experience preferred; experience supporting employees across multiple…