Sr Payroll Specialist

Senior Payroll Specialist - On-site Position Overview The Senior Payroll Specialist plays a critical role in ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing for a workforce of approximately 1,800 employees across multiple states. This role supports the Senior Payroll Manager and serves as a key point of contact for site managers and employees, requiring strong customer service skills, advanced technical expertise, and the ability to manage complex payroll operations in a fast?paced environment. Key Responsibilities Process end?to?end payroll for multi?state employee populations across weekly, bi?monthly, and monthly pay cycles. Support the Senior Payroll Manager with day?to?day operations, audits, reporting, and special projects. Maintain and process payroll using ADP (Workforce Now, Enterprise, or equivalent), ensuring accuracy and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. Utilize advanced Excel skills , including pivot tables , VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, and data analysis tools to reconcile payroll data, validate reports, and troubleshoot discrepancies. Serve as a primary payroll contact for site managers , HR partners, and employees, delivering high?quality customer service and timely issue resolution. Review and validate timekeeping data, ensuring compliance with company policies and wage?and?hour laws. Prepare and audit payroll reports, including earnings, deductions, taxes, and adjustments. Assist with year?end activities such as W?2 processing, tax reconciliations, and audits. Maintain confidentiality and ensure data integrity across all payroll systems and processes. Identify opportunities to streamline processes and improve payroll accuracy and efficiency. Qualifications 5+ years of payroll experience, with at least 2 years in a senior or lead payroll role. Strong experience with ADP payroll systems. Advanced Excel proficiency , including pivot tables and complex formulas. Demonstrated experience processing payroll for large employee populations (1,000+ preferred). Multi?state payroll experience required; knowledge of CA payroll laws strongly preferred. Exceptional customer service and communication skills; ability to partner effectively with site managers and cross?functional teams. Strong analytical skills with high attention to detail and accuracy. Ability to manage multiple deadlines across various pay frequencies. CPP certification a plus but not required. Key Competencies Payroll accuracy and compliance Analytical thinking and problem?solving Customer service orientation Confidentiality and integrity Time management and prioritization Collaboration and communication Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual's skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's 401(k) retirement plan.

Additional disclaimer:

Unless otherwise noted in the job description, the position Vaco/Highspring is filing for is occupied. Please note, however, that Vaco/Highspring is regularly asked to provide talent to other organizations. By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. Submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase within Vaco/Highspring will be otherwise assessed by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco/Highspring does not have knowledge of the tools used by its clients in making final hiring decisions and cannot opine on their use of AI products.