Senior Payroll Specialist

Senior Payroll Specialist - Boston, MA We are seeking an experienced Senior Payroll Specialist to join a leading private equity firm located in Boston, MA. This role will be part of the firm’s Global Payroll team and serve as a subject matter expert for payroll processing across the Americas region while providing support for global payroll operations as needed. The Senior Payroll Specialist will be responsible for ensuring accurate and timely payroll execution, maintaining payroll system configurations, supporting year-end reporting activities, and collaborating with key stakeholders across Treasury, Accounting, Tax, Global Mobility, and HR to deliver efficient, high-quality payroll operations. This is a 4+ month contract position that will pay $40-50/hour (depending on experience) within a 40 hour work week. Responsibilities: Process semi-monthly, in-house payroll for approximately 2,000 salaried and hourly employees across a multi-state environment. Serve as a payroll subject matter expert for the Americas region while providing support for global payroll operations as needed. Calculate and process payroll adjustments, including overpayments, retroactive payments, overtime, and benefit-related changes. Respond to employee and vendor inquiries related to payroll, taxes, deductions, and other payroll matters while delivering exceptional customer service. Partner with the Treasury team to forecast payroll funding requirements and ensure timely and accurate payroll disbursements to employees and vendors. Collaborate with Global Payroll, Global Mobility, and Tax teams to support expatriate payroll transitions for employees beginning or returning from international assignments. Lead the reconciliation, preparation, and review of U.S. W-2s and other year-end payroll reporting requirements. Support the Accounting team with payroll journal entries, account reconciliations, and payroll-related financial reporting. Maintain and update Workday Payroll configurations, including tax settings, earnings and deduction codes, and general ledger mappings. Identify and implement opportunities to enhance payroll processes, strengthen controls, and improve operational efficiencies while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. Research and resolve payroll discrepancies, recommend solutions, and partner with management on process improvements that enhance both employee experience and business operations. Support quarter-end and year-end payroll activities while ensuring accuracy and adherence to critical deadlines. Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree preferred. 3-5+ years of hands-on payroll processing experience, including significant experience with Workday Payroll. Proven experience processing multi-state U.S. payroll; international payroll experience strongly preferred. Experience supporting global payroll operations within a multinational organization. Knowledge of payroll systems including Workday, ADP, and international payroll platforms. Strong understanding of payroll tax regulations, year-end reporting requirements (including W-2 processing), and payroll accounting principles. Experience maintaining payroll system configurations, including tax settings, earnings and deductions, and general ledger mappings. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail. Excellent communication and customer service skills with the ability to effectively partner with employees, vendors, and stakeholders at all levels. Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment with critical quarter-end and year-end deliverables. Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel. #J-18808-Ljbffr