Payroll Specialist

Payroll Specialist LHH is seeking an experienced Payroll Specialist to join its team on a direct-hire basis. This position offers a $70,000$80,000 salary and is located in the Southlake, TX area. The ideal candidate will have strong multi-state payroll experience, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to manage payroll for both salaried and hourly employees in a fast-paced environment. Position Overview The Payroll Specialist will be responsible for accurate and timely payroll processing for employees across the U.S. and Canada, while also supporting payroll accounting, reporting, tax filings, 401(k) administration, HRIS functions, and related HR operations. Key Responsibilities Process weekly, semi-monthly, and Canadian payroll cycles for exempt and non-exempt employees Maintain employee payroll data, including new hires, status changes, compensation changes, and terminations Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations Process wage garnishments, tax levies, and other court-ordered deductions Research and resolve payroll discrepancies accurately and timely Maintain payroll records and ensure compliance with legal retention requirements Perform monthly payroll reconciliations and support quarterly audits Process relocation, expatriate, and related payroll adjustments, including applicable gross-ups Process weekly 401(k) contributions and support loans, hardship withdrawals, plan changes, and annual audits Generate standard and ad hoc payroll and HRIS reports Support payroll and HRIS system updates, upgrades, and process improvements Serve as a subject matter expert for payroll and HRIS systems Cross-train and provide backup support to other payroll team members Provide payroll and benefits-related training during new hire onboarding Serve as a resource for employee questions regarding payroll and time-off policies Support HR initiatives, audits, and reporting requirements Collaborate with HR, finance, and other internal departments to ensure accurate and consistent payroll processes Qualifications 5+ years of payroll processing experience supporting both exempt and non-exempt employees Strong knowledge of multi-state payroll regulations and wage & hour laws Experience processing overtime, double-time, holiday pay, shift differentials, and other complex earnings Experience with payroll/HRIS systems such as ADP, Workday, Workforce Management (WFM), or similar platforms Advanced Excel and/or Google Sheets skills Experience supporting U.S. and Canadian payroll preferred Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills Excellent attention to detail and ability to meet strict payroll deadlines Ability to handle confidential employee information with discretion Strong communication and customer service skills Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field preferred Experience with ADP Workforce Manager and/or Workday preferred Exposure to unionized environments is a plus