Senior Payroll Specialist

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Senior Payroll Specialist based in the United States.
As a Senior Payroll Specialist, you will oversee end-to-end payroll operations across the United States and Canada, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and operational efficiency.
You will play a critical role in supporting payroll for both unionized and non-unionized employees across multiple jurisdictions.
Working in a fully remote, fast-paced, and growing environment, you will help strengthen payroll processes and support ongoing transformation initiatives.
You will collaborate closely with HR, Finance, Operations, Labor Relations, and IT to ensure seamless payroll administration and data integrity.
Your expertise in payroll systems, regulatory requirements, and collective bargaining agreements will contribute to reliable and compliant compensation practices.
This role offers the opportunity to drive process improvements, enhance payroll infrastructure, and support operational excellence across a diverse workforce.
Accountabilities
Manage full-cycle, multi-jurisdictional payroll processing across the United States and Canada using ADP Workforce Now.
Ensure accurate and timely processing of regular and off-cycle payrolls, including bonuses, retroactive payments, terminations, and other compensation adjustments.
Review and reconcile payroll information with HR, benefits, and Finance data to maintain accuracy and consistency.
Process payroll in accordance with collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), including union wage rates, shift differentials, premiums, and contractual compensation provisions.
Validate union employee earnings, including overtime, call-out pay, guaranteed hours, per diem, and other negotiated compensation elements.
Administer and reconcile union dues, initiation fees, and other labor-related deductions in accordance with contractual and regulatory requirements.
Coordinate with HR, Operations, and Labor Relations to implement payroll changes related to union contracts, grievances, wage increases, and negotiated settlements.
Maintain accurate payroll records and supporting documentation for represented employees, ensuring compliance with contractual and audit requirements.
Ensure payroll compliance with federal, state, provincial, and local legislation, including labor regulations, prevailing wage requirements, and applicable collective bargaining agreements.
Develop, maintain, and update payroll standard operating procedures (SOPs), internal controls, and documentation.
Support internal and external payroll audits by preparing accurate records, reports, and supporting documentation.
Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies, including union-related compensation issues, escalating contractual interpretation matters when appropriate.
Maintain payroll system configurations and support data quality improvements, system clean-up, and process optimization within ADP Workforce Now.
Collaborate with stakeholders on payroll system integrations, time tracking, and operational improvements; support timecard validation and integration activities where applicable.
Partner with HR, Finance, Operations, IT, HR Business Partners, and Labor Relations to ensure data accuracy, process alignment, and effective communication.
Serve as a payroll subject matter expert, addressing employee and stakeholder inquiries, managing escalations, and communicating payroll timelines and deliverables.
Support payroll changes resulting from collective bargaining negotiations, contract ratifications, and labor-related agreements.
Identify and implement scalable payroll processes, contributing to system upgrades, transformation initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts.
Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
At least 3–5 years of payroll experience, including multi-state US and Canadian payroll processing.
Demonstrated experience processing payroll for unionized workforces and interpreting collective bargaining agreements.
Strong knowledge of union payroll practices, including union dues, contractual wage structures, overtime rules, shift premiums, and negotiated compensation programs.
Experience supporting payroll compliance in unionized environments, including labor-related audits and reporting requirements.
Ability to interpret and apply collective bargaining agreement provisions accurately while ensuring payroll compliance.
Hands-on experience with ADP Workforce Now is required.
Familiarity with UKG time management systems is a plus.
Strong understanding of payroll compliance, tax regulations, wage laws, and reporting requirements across multiple jurisdictions.
Experience developing and maintaining payroll SOPs, internal controls, and operational documentation.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively in a remote environment.
Proven ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with exceptional attention to detail.
Ability to identify discrepancies, manage competing priorities, and work effectively in a high-volume, fast-growing organization.
Preferred qualifications: Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC).
Experience supporting global payroll operations or mergers and acquisitions (M&A)-related payroll transitions.
Familiarity with general ledger interfaces, payroll journal entries, financial reconciliations, HRIS integrations, and process mapping.
Experience supporting multiple union contracts across different locations, business units, or jurisdictions.
Knowledge of prevailing wage requirements, labor compliance reporting, and payroll administration in regulated industries.
Experience partnering with Labor Relations, HR Business Partners, and operational leadership on payroll matters involving represented employees.
Benefits
Annual salary: $75,000.
Fully remote work environment within the United States.
Medical, dental, and vision insurance, with eligibility beginning on day one of the month following 30 days of employment.
Eight company-paid holidays and two floating holidays.
Paid time off (PTO).
Employer-supported 401(k) retirement plan with immediate 100% vesting, a 3% employer match, and a 50% match on the next 2%.
Health Savings Account (HSA) options.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP), including access to support regardless of participation in the benefits package.
Mental health resources and gym discounts.
Discounted group life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance.
Discounted short-term and long-term disability insurance.
Additional discounted group programs, including legal services, home and auto insurance, pet insurance, and identity theft protection.
Parental leave and additional wellness resources.
How Jobgether Works
We use an AI-powered matching process to ensure your application is reviewed quickly, objectively, and fairly against the role's core requirements. Our system identifies the top-fitting candidates, and this shortlist is then shared directly with the hiring company. The final decision and next steps (interviews, assessments) are managed by their internal team.
We appreciate your interest and wish you the best!
Why Apply Through Jobgether?
Data Privacy Notice: By submitting your application, you acknowledge that Jobgether will process your personal data to evaluate your candidacy and share relevant information with the hiring employer. This processing is based on legitimate interest and pre-contractual measures under applicable data protection laws (including GDPR). You may exercise your rights (access, rectification, erasure, objection) at any time.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

Skills
Payroll

Experience
3-5 yrs

Work arrangement
Yes