Principial Payroll Specialist

Principial Payroll Specialist (Fairfield CT preferred)

The Principial Payroll Specialist is an experienced payroll professional responsible for supporting the accurate, compliant, and timely administration of payroll operations across multiple U.S. entities. Reporting to the Head of HR Operations and Employee Experience, this role serves as the organization's subject matter expert for payroll operations, payroll taxation, compliance, and state paid leave programs. Additionally, the role supports payroll platform transformation and integration.

This position partners closely with Human Resources, Benefits, Finance, HRIS, and external payroll vendors to ensure payroll processes operate efficiently and in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. The role will also provide guidance on complex payroll matters, support payroll-related projects, and drive process improvements that enhance operational effectiveness and employee experience.

The ideal candidate brings extensive multi-state payroll administration experience with deep expertise in payroll taxation, state paid leave programs, payroll compliance, and payroll systems.

What You’ll Be Doing (Essential Duties)

*not inclusive of all role responsibilities. May be subject to change

Payroll Operations & Compliance (40%)

• Support end-to-end payroll administration for multiple U.S. entities, ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing.
• Review payroll data, audit payroll outputs, and validate payroll transactions prior to transmission.
• Support administration of payroll for international expatriates and third-country nationals, as applicable.
• Partner with Benefits on deduction processing, leave-related pay impacts, and benefit reconciliations.
• Perform payroll reconciliations, general ledger reviews, and payroll balancing activities.
• Support quarter-end and year-end payroll activities, including W-2 processing and corrections.
• Maintain payroll procedures, process documentation, and internal controls.
• Assist with internal and external audits involving payroll records and compliance requirements.

Payroll Tax & Regulatory Compliance (30%)

• Serve as organizational subject matter expert for federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations.
• Ensure proper payroll tax withholding, reporting, remittance, and reconciliation activities.
• Research and resolve payroll tax notices, agency inquiries, and taxation discrepancies.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes impacting payroll.
• Lead implementation of payroll-related compliance changes arising from new tax laws or regulatory requirements.
• Review payroll system configuration to ensure compliance with payroll taxation requirements.
• Support tax filings, amended filings, and agency reporting requirements.
• Provide guidance regarding taxation impacts of employee transactions, benefits, compensation programs, and workforce mobility.

Payroll Systems Implementation & Transformation (20%)

• Serve as the payroll lead for system implementations, integrations, and transformation initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational payroll, compliance, and employee experience objectives.
• Provide subject matter expertise on payroll configuration, taxation, leave programs, and compliance requirements throughout system selection, implementation, and optimization efforts.
• Oversee end-to-end testing, validation, and deployment activities to ensure payroll systems accurately support complex multi-state payroll operations and regulatory requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives by leveraging technology, automation, and best practices to enhance payroll efficiency, accuracy, scalability, and compliance.

State Paid Leave Administration (10%)

• Serve as payroll lead for Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML), state disability programs, paid sick leave requirements, and wage replacement programs.
• Partner with Benefits, HR, and leave administrators to ensure accurate employee deductions and reporting.
• Monitor legislative changes impacting state paid leave programs.
• Ensure payroll systems are configured correctly to support state-specific leave requirements and contributions.

Required qualifications for the role

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 5-7 years of progressive payroll experience.
• Demonstrated experience administering payroll in a complex multi-state environment.
• Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations.
• Strong experience administering and supporting state paid leave programs and associated payroll requirements.
• Experience researching and resolving payroll tax notices and agency inquiries.
• Strong knowledge of payroll compliance, wage and hour regulations, garnishments, and statutory deductions.
• Experience performing payroll reconciliations, audits, and year-end payroll activities.
• Strong experience with payroll platform transformation and implementation.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.

Preferred qualifications for the role

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification.
• Experience with UKG Pro, Dayforce, and Tenrox.
• Experience supporting payroll operations in a nonprofit or multi-entity organization.
• Experience supporting international assignees, expatriates, or globally mobile employees.
• Knowledge of payroll accounting and finance processes.