Senior Payroll Specialist

Senior Payroll Specialist

The Senior Payroll Specialist position is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of employee wages, taxes and benefits, while ensuring compliance with government regulations and internal policies. The position works under the direction of the Director of Total Rewards and is located in downtown Houston, TX. Hybrid work schedule is an option for remote work on Mondays and Fridays.

Essential Job Functions

• Execute the day-to-day operations of the payroll department, including the preparation and submission of bi-weekly and off-cycle payrolls for US, multi-state jurisdictions
• Experienced in preparing and processing special payroll runs such as bonus and stock payouts
• Collaborate with HR and other departments to ensure accurate employee data updates, such as new hires, terminations, salary changes, and other master data changes are reflected in the payroll systems in accordance with company policies
• Review and verify all payroll inputs, including timesheets, salary adjustments, benefits deductions and all data fed into Workday to ensure accuracy and compliance with company policies before payroll processing
• Ensure payroll is processed timely and accurately in accordance with federal, state and local regulations
• Support Workday payroll module, including data entry, updating of employee information, and maintenance of electronic time tracking records
• Act as a liaison between internal stakeholders including, but not limited to: HR, Legal, Finance/Accounting (treasury), AP, Compensation and Benefits ensuring the reporting, accuracy, timeliness and compliance of all transactions
• Monitor and lead third-party payroll vendors, communicate on all tax regulation updates ensuring Workday is current and third-party authoritative agency notices have been handled completely. Reconcile monthly payroll tax filings with payroll registers, agency submissions and company bank account statements
• Ensure compliance with payroll-related regulations regarding wage garnishments, taxes and other deductions
• Ensure payroll compliance with SOX controls and maintain support for all payroll entries
• Critically review vendor invoices for all charges and see improvements in processes to eliminate unnecessary payroll runs or correction/amendment requests. Manage vendor contracts
• Ensure employee benefit payroll deductions, in collaboration with Benefits Administrator, meet federal, state and local regulations
• Administer, in collaboration with Benefits Administrator and third-party vendor, ongoing LOA/FMLA/STD/ADA requests, including state programs where applicable
• Serve as the point of contact for employee payroll inquiries and support

Minimum Qualifications

• Degree from a four year college/university
• 8+ years of payroll processing experience
• CPP or PCP certification, preferred
• Prior experience with Workday, preferred
• Strong knowledge of payroll principles, practices, and laws, including federal, state, and local regulations
• Familiarity with applicable federal and state laws, such as ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, and ACA, pertaining to employee benefits
• Proficiency with payroll software and Microsoft Office applications
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and fluid environment
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills