Specialist, Payroll

Job Description Company Description McDonald's is proud to be one of the most recognized brands in the world, with restaurants in over 100 countries that serve 70 million customers daily.We continue to operate from a position of strength. Our updated growth strategy is focused on staying ahead of what our customers want and realizing further growth potential. Our relentless ambition is why McDonald's remains one of the world's leading corporations after almost 70 years. Joining McDonald's means thinking big and preparing for a career that can have influence around the world. At McDonald's, we see every day as a chance to create positive impact. We lead through our values centered on inclusivity, service, integrity, community and family. From support of Ronald McDonald House to our Youth Opportunity project and sustainability initiatives, our values keep us dedicated to using our scale for good: good for our customers, people, industry and planet. We also offer a broad range ofoutstanding benefits including a sabbatical program, tuition assistance and flexible work arrangements. Department Overview The Payroll Operations Specialist is responsible for supporting payroll operations across the United States and Canada, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing. This role provides leadership within daily payroll operations, analyzes and resolves payroll exceptions, supports customer escalations, monitors service-level performance, and drives continuous improvements. The position requires strong analytical skills, payroll expertise, customer focus, and the ability to collaborate effectively across multiple stakeholders. Duties Key Responsibilities Payroll Operations & Processing Process payroll transactions accurately and in accordance with company policies, regulatory requirements, and established procedures. Review payroll data for accuracy and completeness prior to processing. Ensure compliance with federal, state, provincial, and company payroll requirements. Support payroll activities related to employee changes, adjustments, deductions, and special payments. Exception Management & Analysis Research, analyze, and resolve payroll exceptions and discrepancies. Utilize reporting and analytical tools, including Excel, to identify trends and root causes. Prepare and manipulate payroll-related data for upload into payroll systems. Recommend solutions to improve accuracy and efficiency. Customer Support & Escalations Investigate and resolve employee and stakeholder payroll inquiries. Handle complex payroll issues and escalations professionally and timely. Partner with Human Resources, Finance, and other business functions to resolve payroll concerns. Ensure a high level of customer service and employee support. Metrics & Continuous Improvement Monitor payroll performance metrics and service-level agreements (SLAs). Analyze operational data to identify opportunities for process improvements. Participate in continuous improvement initiatives that enhance payroll accuracy, efficiency, and employee experience. Support implementation of process enhancements and standardization efforts. Team Support & Leadership Lead, guide and support direct and indirect reports. Assist with workflow management and prioritization of payroll activities. Contribute to onboarding, training, and knowledge-sharing efforts. Foster a collaborative, customer-focused team environment. Qualifications Required Experience Minimum of 2 years of payroll experience. Experience processing or supporting payroll operations in a high-volume environment. Experience as team or project lead Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Experience handling payroll inquiries and issue resolution. Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and payroll systems. Required Skills Knowledge of U.S. and/or Canadian payroll regulations and practices. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines. Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy. Customer-focused mindset with excellent interpersonal skills. Education High School Diploma or equivalent required. Additional payroll certification or college coursework in Business, Accounting, Human Resources, or a related field preferred. Compensation Bonus Eligible: YES Long - Term Incentive: YES Benefits Eligible: YES Salary Range The expected salary range for this role is $62,598.00 - $78,248.00 per year The above represents the expected salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we may also consider your experience, and other job-related factors. Additional Information Benefits eligible: This position offers health and welfare benefits, including but not limited to comprehensive health insurance, which includes medical, prescription drug, mental health, dental and vision coverage, as well as, life insurance. Bonus eligible: This position is eligible for a bonus, calculated based on individual and company performance. Long term Incentive eligible: This position is eligible for stock or other equity grants pursuant to McDonald's long-term incentive plan. McDonald's is an equal opportunity employer committed to the diversity of our workforce. We promote an inclusive work environment that creates feel-good moments for everyone. McDonald's provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities as part of the application or hiring process or to perform the essential functions of their job. If you need assistance accessing or reading this job posting or otherwise feel you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact ~~~. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis. McDonald's provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to sex, sex stereotyping, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), race, color, religion, ancestry or national origin, age, disability status, medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, protected military or veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. Nothing in this job posting or description should be construed as an offer or guarantee of employment. #J-18808-Ljbffr