Payroll Specialist

NOVA Engineering and Environmental is currently seeking a Payroll Specialist in our Kennesaw, Georgia office. This is a hybrid role reporting directly to the Vice President, Human Resources.

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for end-to-end payroll operations, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing. This role requires deep expertise with UKG Pro's payroll system, strong analytical skills, and the ability to support a diverse workforce that includes engineers, field staff, and corporate personnel. The Payroll Specialist also serves as the primary back-up to the Benefits Specialist, providing cross-functional support in benefits administration when needed. The ideal candidate thrives in a collaborative, deadline-driven environment and brings a high level of precision, confidentiality, and customer service.

Key Responsibilities:

Payroll Processing

• Process biweekly payroll for salaried and hourly employees using UKG Pro, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Post weekly timesheets in Deltek Vantagepoint ERP system; review and validate timesheets for accuracy in recording overtime, holidays and other special considerations.
• Maintain payroll records in UKG Pro, including earnings, deductions, garnishments, and adjustments.
• Ensure accurate benefit deductions through review and reconciliation of missed deductions, prorating calculations, and processing updates in UKG'S Benefits Hub system for each biweekly payroll.
• Review and reconcile payroll reports prior to final submission; proactively identify and resolve discrepancies.
• Ensure accurate tax treatment for multi-state employees and F-1 visa holders.
• Partner with the 401(k) service provider to ensure accurate deductions and reporting for employee contribution changes, loans, employer matching contributions, and IRS compliance.
• Develop and maintain payroll SOPs, documentation, and internal controls.

System & Data Management

• Maintain and optimize UKG Pro payroll configurations, workflows, and integrations with HRIS, timekeeping, and ERP systems.
• Partner with HR and Finance to streamline processes, enhance data accuracy, and implement automation opportunities in Deltek Vantagepoint and UKG Pro.

Compliance & Reporting

• Serve as the subject matter expert for payroll processes, system functionality and compliance, ensuring adherence to FLSA, multi-state wage and tax laws, and company policies.
• Prepare, analyze, and distribute payroll reports for Finance and HR leadership.
• Manage year-end payroll activities, including W-2 processing, taxable benefits, audits, reconciliations, and related compliance reporting.
• Review payroll tax filings, reconcile payroll tax liabilities, and coordinate with UKG to resolve notices and discrepancies.
• Support internal and external audits, providing documentation and explanations as needed.
• Maintain confidentiality and data integrity at all times.

Employee Support

• Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll inquiries, providing clear and timely communication.
• Educate employees and managers on payroll processes, timekeeping expectations, and UKG Pro self-service tools.
• Partner with HR to resolve discrepancies or complex payroll issues.

Back-Up to Senior Benefits Specialist

• Provide coverage for benefits administration during absences or peak workload periods.
• Assist with enrollment processing, life event changes, and benefits data audits.
• Support benefits billing reconciliation and vendor file transmissions.
• Respond to employee questions related to health, dental, vision, retirement, and leave programs.
• Collaborate with the Senior Benefits Specialist to ensure alignment between payroll and benefits data, especially for deductions, arrears, and taxable benefits.

Required Qualifications:

• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience, including advanced hands-on processing in UKG Pro.
• Strong understanding of payroll laws, multi-state taxation, and compliance requirements.
• High proficiency with Excel (VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, pivot tables, data validation and analysis).
• High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and analytical thinking.
• Ability to manage sensitive information with discretion.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with project-based timekeeping or ERP systems (e.g., Deltek, Oracle, SAP).
• Experience supporting a professional services or engineering consulting workforce.
• Knowledge of engineering industry pay structures (e.g., exempt vs. non-exempt positions and project-based allocations).
• CPP or FPC certification.

Success Profile:

A successful Payroll Specialist in this environment is:

• Detail-driven - catches discrepancies before they become issues.
• Tech-savvy - leverages UKG Pro to its fullest potential.
• Service-oriented - supports employees with clarity and empathy.
• Deadline-focused - thrives in a predictable payroll cycle with occasional project-driven urgency.
• Proactive - anticipates issues and implements solutions before they impact employees.
• Collaborative - partners seamlessly with HR, Finance, and administrative teams.
• Cross-functional - comfortable stepping into benefits administration when needed.

Check out our Perks:

In addition to our welcoming company culture and competitive compensation packages, our employees enjoy the below benefits:

• Comprehensive group medical insurance, including health, dental and vision
• Opportunity for professional growth and advancement
• Certification reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Company-observed paid holidays
• Company paid life insurance for employee, spouse and children
• Company paid short term disability coverage
• Other supplemental benefit offerings including long-term disability, critical illness, accident and identity theft protection
• 401K retirement with company matching of 50% on the first 6% of employee contributions
• Wellness program with incentives
• Employee Assistance Program

NOVA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. NOVA does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, ancestry, marital status, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.