Payroll Specialist

Job Type Full-time Description

Job Title: Payroll Specialist

Position Summary

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for end-to-end payroll processing across multiple legal entities and states using Paylocity. Reporting to the Director of Total Rewards, this role plays a critical part in delivering seamless employee experience while ensuring regulatory compliance and payroll accuracy. The ideal candidate brings deep technical payroll expertise, thrives in complex environments, and enjoys partnering cross-functionally with HR, Finance, and leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Process bi-weekly payroll for multiple entities and jurisdictions across several states using Paylocity.
• Ensure accurate calculation and delivery of wages, bonuses, commissions, overtime, and deductions.
• Manage multi-state tax compliance, including registrations, reciprocity, and local taxation requirements.
• Maintain and audit payroll data, including earnings, deductions, garnishments, and benefits.
• Partner with HR and Total Rewards teams to ensure accurate onboarding, offboarding, and benefits deductions.
• Reconcile payroll reports and general ledger entries; collaborate with Finance on payroll funding and audits.
• Administer wage garnishments, child support orders, and other court-ordered deductions.
• Prepare payroll reports for internal leadership and external agencies.
• Support audits, year-end processing, W-2 distribution, and tax filings.
• Document payroll processes and strengthen internal controls.
• Participate in system upgrades, testing, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Respond to payroll inquiries with professionalism, discretion, and urgency.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of payroll experience processing payroll for multiple entities and states.
• Hands-on Paylocity payroll experience is required.
• Strong working knowledge of federal, state, and local wage and hour laws.
• Proven experience managing complex payroll calendars and competing deadlines.
• Advanced attention to detail and accuracy.
• Proficiency in Excel and payroll reporting tools.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in high-growth or multi-site organizations.
• Payroll system optimization experience.
• M&A or new entity setup exposure.
• Strong partnership with Accounting and Finance teams.