We are looking for an experienced payroll leader to oversee accurate and compliant payroll operations for a large, multi-state workforce in Newark, New Jersey. This role manages weekly and bi-weekly payroll processing for salaried, hourly, and union employees while partnering closely with HR and Finance to maintain strong controls, clean reporting, and dependable employee payments. The position also plays a key role in audits, accounting support, benefit deduction reviews, and ongoing process improvement across payroll workflows.

Responsibilities:

• Direct end-to-end payroll processing for weekly and bi-weekly pay groups, ensuring employees are paid correctly and on schedule across multiple employee populations.
• Monitor payroll activity for compliance with applicable wage and hour rules, tax withholding requirements, and company payroll policies in New York and New Jersey.
• Examine payroll registers, employee deductions, garnishments, and final payments before release, resolving discrepancies ahead of processing deadlines.
• Work closely with People & Organization teams to audit benefit elections, enrollment records, and payroll deductions so that employee data remains accurate across systems.
• Establish and maintain effective payroll review practices for benefits, fringe programs, and compensation changes, including proper tax treatment and payroll setup.
• Oversee payroll-related journal entries, labor distributions, and account reconciliations to support accurate financial statements and alignment with the general ledger.
• Prepare and review union reporting, fringe benefit remittances, and retirement contribution funding, ensuring timely submissions and compliance with plan and contract requirements.
• Interpret collective bargaining agreements to apply correct pay rates, benefit contributions, and union-specific deductions within payroll processing.
• Lead payroll support for annual workers' compensation and retirement plan audits, and perform quarterly reconciliation analysis related to payroll tax filings such as Form 941.
• Drive payroll process improvements through workflow documentation, automation opportunities, cross-functional coordination, and finance support for forecasting, labor analysis, and compliance projects.