Senior Payroll Specialist

Senior Payroll Specialist

The Senior Payroll Specialist is responsible for administering payroll operations and delivering exceptional payroll support services to employees and management. This role ensures accurate and timely payroll processing while maintaining compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, company policies, and collective bargaining agreements. The Senior Payroll Specialist serves as a subject matter expert for payroll administration, timekeeping, payroll accounting, compliance, and employee support.

Responsibilities

• Process and balance bi-weekly payroll for both salaried and hourly employees, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with established procedures.
• Reconcile payroll records, perform payroll cost analyses, and balance payroll funding transactions for reporting to Finance.
• Analyze payroll-related bank accounts and general ledger accounts, investigate discrepancies, and resolve variances.
• Coordinate and calculate third-party payments and payroll adjustments related to employee leaves of absence, including FMLA and other approved leave programs.
• Maintain payroll system data, including earnings codes, tax tables, deduction tables, and other payroll-related configurations in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Administer payroll compliance activities and support internal and external audits by providing documentation, reports, and process controls.
• Respond to employee and management inquiries regarding payroll, timekeeping, deductions, taxes, and pay-related issues.
• Manage payroll and timekeeping system administration, including employee setup, status changes, and terminations.
• Process wage garnishments, levies, and other court-ordered deductions, ensuring timely payments and compliance with applicable regulations.
• Prepare and reconcile union dues reporting and payments, and support payroll-related collective bargaining agreement requirements.
• Support union payroll activities, including eligibility tracking, payroll deductions, and monthly reconciliation of dues and fees.
• Assist with year-end payroll activities, including W-2 processing, reporting, and payroll reconciliations.
• Serve as a backup for payroll team functions as needed and contribute to ongoing process improvements.

Qualifications

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience performing payroll, HR, finance, accounting, or other administrative/transactional processing functions.
• Ability to report to the local office approximately 2-4 times per month. This equates to about once a week or every other week, depending on team needs.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in payroll processing and data management.
• Ability to manage recurring deadlines and prioritize multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong customer service and communication skills with the ability to effectively support employees and leaders.
• Knowledge of payroll practices, federal and state wage and hour laws, payroll taxes, and regulatory requirements, or the ability to quickly learn and apply such knowledge.
• Understanding of accounting principles, payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment.

Preferred

• Experience processing in-house payroll.
• Experience with payroll and HRIS systems such as Oracle HRMS, Kronos, PeopleSoft, or similar platforms.
• Experience with payroll accounting, general ledger reconciliations, and audit support.
• Knowledge of union payroll administration and collective bargaining agreements.
• Experience with year-end payroll processing, including W-2 preparation and reporting.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation or related payroll certification.

Base Pay Information The national base pay range at the end is a good-faith estimate of what Delta Dental may pay for new hires. Actual pay may vary based on Delta Dental's assessment of the candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs), related experience, education, certifications, and ability to meet required minimum job qualifications. Other factors impacting pay include prevailing wages in the work location and internal equity. Pay Grade 17. $51,360- $107,500

Additional Information

Behind the smile! We are dedicated to safeguarding the health and financial stability of our employees and their loved ones. This commitment extends beyond the workplace to foster personal growth and holistic wellbeing. Our life-changing rewards package includes:

• Competitive base and incentive pay
• 401(k) with robust matching and non-matching contributions
• Rich medical & pharmacy benefits
• 100% employer-paid dental and vision benefits
• Holistic wellbeing program with deep financial incentives
• Generous paid time off plus 12 paid holidays and your birthday off
• Culture of growth and learning: career development; tuition reimbursement; recognition program
• Family support: adoption assistance, fertility treatment, child, elder & pet care assistance
• Social responsibility and volunteer opportunities
• Employee discount program

Fair Chance Ordinances and Criminal Background Considerations This position requires that the applicant undergo a background check. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with any applicable federal, state or local laws, including, but not limited to, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and/or New York Corrections Law Article 23-A. Important Work Authorization Information Please note, Delta Dental will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position. #LI-Hybrid

About the Team

At Delta Dental, we're behind millions of smiles and counting. For over 68 years, we've served our communities by increasing access to affordable, quality care – but that commitment to care extends beyond the people we serve, to the dedicated employees who make those smiles genuine. We've come this far by building fair programs that offer opportunities for advancement, create meaningful connections and improve the lives of our employees and their families. Because we know that when we take exceptional care of each other, we can make a positive impact for all. We champion an inspirational workplace through our commitment to trust, service, excellence and innovation. Joining us means working for a company that offers stability and balance, opportunities for leadership at all levels, and a work environment focused on teamwork and camaraderie. Discover the smiling faces behind Delta Dental and experience our values and culture in action by connecting with us on social media. Follow Delta Dental Ins. on Facebook and Instagram, #LifeatDDins on Facebook and Instagram, Delta Dental Ins. on Twitter and Delta Dental Ins. on LinkedIn. If you've got an appetite for innovation and want to be a part of a team that's transforming the future of health care, join us! Since 1955, we have offered comprehensive, high-quality oral health care benefits to millions of enrollees and built the strongest network of dental providers in the country. The Delta Dental of California network includes affiliates Delta Dental Insurance Company; Delta Dental of Pennsylvania; Delta Dental of New York, Inc.; Delta Dental of the District of Columbia; Delta Dental of Delaware, Inc.; and Delta Dental of West Virginia, providing dental benefits to more than 31 million people across 15 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The company and its affiliates are part of Delta Dental Plans Association (DDPA), a not-for-profit national association based in Oak Brook, Illinois. Through our national network of Delta Dental companies, we offer dental coverage in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories. We offer vision coverage through DeltaVision in 15 states and the District of Columbia. Collectively, we deliver benefits to more Americans than any other dental insurance company. Delta Dental Ins. is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a professional work environment free from discrimination and harassment. Individuals seeking employment at Delta Dental are considered without regard to race, ethnicity, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, actual or perceived physical or mental disability, registered domestic partner status, caregiver status, marital status, veteran or military status, citizenship status, or any other legally protected category. Delta Dental is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Accordingly, we have adopted and maintain an Equal Employment Opportunity Policy, Harassment-Free Work Environment Policy, and Respectful Workplace policies and will not tolerate violations of these policies. Unfortunately, our Delta Dental Enterprise is unable to hire individuals residing in Alaska, North Dakota, Nebraska, Hawaii, Oklahoma, Vermont, Maine, West Virginia, New Hampshire, Wyoming,