Lead Payroll Specialist

At U.S. Bank, we’re on a journey to do our best. Helping the customers and businesses we serve to make better and smarter financial decisions and enabling the communities we support to grow and succeed. We believe it takes all of us to bring our shared ambition to life, and each person is unique in their potential. A career with U.S. Bank gives you a wide, ever-growing range of opportunities to discover what makes you thrive at every stage of your career. Try new things, learn new skills and discover what you excel at—all from Day One.Job DescriptionLead Payroll Specialist is responsible for processing payroll including regular pay, retro pay, final pay calculation for terminated employees, ACH adjustments, online and off-cycle payments, payline adjustments, reversals, and other pay-related tasks while monitoring team activities to ensure successful payroll execution. This role serves as a payroll subject matter expert, providing leadership, guidance, and operational support to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing.This team member plays a key role on a team responsible for supporting the timely and accurate pay and reporting requirements for more than 60,000 employees across the United States and Canada, ensuring adherence to all regulatory requirements and internal controls.Areas of ResponsibilityPayroll Processing & Subject Matter ExpertiseProcesses payroll using knowledge of departmental procedures, federal, state, provincial, and local wage and hour regulations, company policies, and payroll system functionality to ensure accurate and timely payroll processing.Serves as the Payroll subject matter expert and first point of escalation for complex payroll issues, exceptions, and operational concerns.Reviews, researches, and resolves complex payroll transactions and issues. Investigates root causes and recommends solutions to leadership when escalation is necessary.Reviews and approves designated payroll-related transactions, forms, and special payments in accordance with established policies, controls, and regulatory requirements.Maintains expert knowledge of payroll laws, regulations, company policies, payroll systems, and industry best practices affecting payroll operations.Provides payroll processing support and operational backup coverage when necessary to ensure successful payroll completion.Team Coordination & LeadershipCoordinates team workload, staffing coverage, and operational priorities to ensure payroll deadlines, service level agreements, and regulatory requirements are met.Oversees rotation schedules and backup coverage to support business continuity.Provides leadership, guidance, coaching, and performance feedback to Payroll Specialists and Senior Payroll Specialists to ensure consistent execution of payroll processes and quality standards.Coordinates daily payroll operations in the absence of Payroll Supervisors or Managers to ensure continuity of service and successful payroll execution.Audit, Controls & ComplianceOwns payroll audit and control processes, including payroll exception reporting, post-audit reporting, pre-audit activities, payroll control monitoring, issue resolution, and follow-up activities to ensure payroll accuracy, compliance, and timely processing.Reviews, tracks, and monitors payroll exception reports, audit reports, control reports, outstanding items, and corrective actions.Identifies processing trends, control weaknesses, and training opportunities and works with team members to drive resolution.Communicates audit findings and payroll processing issues to Payroll Specialists and Senior Payroll Specialists, provides guidance and education, monitors corrective actions, and ensures timely completion of identified actions.Partners with internal and external auditors to provide payroll data, supporting documentation, process explanations, and audit responses as required.Owns the maintenance, consolidation, review, governance, and annual certification of payroll procedures and documentation to ensure compliance with internal controls, risk management standards, and regulatory requirements.Business Partnership & Employee SupportServes as a primary payroll contact and liaison for Human Resources, Benefits, Compensation, Accounting, Employee Relations, Legal, Tax, Garnishment, Leave Management, Service Center teams, and other business partners regarding payroll operations, escalations, and issue resolution.Monitors and manages payroll-related cases and workflow queues, partnering with Employee Services and other stakeholders to ensure timely and accurate resolution of employee inquiries and adherence to service level agreements.Maintains payroll workflow assignments, shared operational resources, reporting structures, and administrative tools supporting payroll operations.Process Improvement, Reporting & ProjectsIdentifies, develops, and implements process improvements, reporting enhancements, automation opportunities, and operational efficiencies that improve payroll accuracy, service levels, compliance, and employee experience.Leads and supports payroll projects, system implementations, testing initiatives, reporting enhancements, and operational improvement efforts.Evaluates downstream impacts and coordinates testing activities to ensure successful implementation.Collects, analyzes, and interprets payroll data to support leadership decision-making, regulatory compliance, operational reporting, audit requirements, and strategic process improvement initiatives.Communication & AdministrationOrganizes and facilitates meetings, develops presentations, and communicates payroll-related information to leadership, team members, and business partners as required.Maintains sensitive payroll and employee information with the highest degree of confidentiality and professionalism.Performs other related duties, projects, and assignments as required.QualificationsRequired QualificationsMinimum: Two-year college degree or post-secondary coursework in a related field, or equivalent applicable work experience.Minimum: Three to five years of payroll processing experience.Strong organizational and team leadership skills.Advanced proficiency with payroll systems, reporting tools, and Microsoft Office applications.Excellent verbal and written communication skills.Excellent interpersonal skills with a collaborative approach to problem solving.Commitment to maintaining the highest level of confidentiality when dealing with payroll information.Knowledge of payroll compliance and internal control environments.Preferred QualificationsCertified Payroll Professional (CPP) and/or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC).What Success Looks LikeThe Lead Payroll Specialist serves as a trusted payroll expert and team resource, ensuring accurate and compliant payroll processing while driving operational excellence, risk mitigation, process improvement, and exceptional service for employees and business partners across U.S. Bank's payroll operations.The role offers a hybrid schedule, which means there's an in-office expectation of 3 or more days per week and the flexibility to work outside the office location for the other days.If there’s anything we can do to accommodate a disability during any portion of the application or hiring process, please refer to our disability accommodations for applicants. Benefits:Our approach to benefits and total rewards considers our team members’ whole selves and what may be needed to thrive in and outside work. That's why our benefits are designed to help you and your family boost your health, protect your financial security and give you peace of mind. Our benefits include the following:Healthcare (medical, dental, vision)Basic term and optional term life insuranceShort-term and long-term disabilityPregnancy disability and parental leave401(k) and employer-funded retirement planPaid vacation (from two to five weeks depending on salary grade and tenure)Up to 11 paid holiday opportunitiesAdoption assistanceSick and Safe Leave accruals of one hour for every 30 worked, up to 80 hours per calendar year unless otherwise provided by lawReview our full benefits available by employment status here. U.S. Bank is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or veteran status, and other factors protected under applicable law.E-VerifyU.S. Bank participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program in all facilities located in the United States and certain U.S. territories. The E-Verify program is an Internet-based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Learn more about the E-Verify program.The salary range reflects figures based on the primary location, which is listed first. The actual range for the role may differ based on the location of the role. In addition to salary, U.S. Bank offers a comprehensive benefits package, including incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase 401(k) contribution and pension (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). Pay Range: $27.50 - $36.68U.S. Bank will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records for employment. U.S. Bank conducts background checks consistent with applicable local laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act as well as the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. U.S. Bank is subject to, and conducts background checks consistent with the requirements of Section 19 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDIA). In addition, certain positions may also be subject to the requirements of FINRA, NMLS registration, Reg Z, Reg G, OFAC, the NFA, the FCPA, the Bank Secrecy Act, the SAFE Act, and/or federal guidelines applicable to an agreement, such as those related to ethics, safety, or operational procedures.Applicants must be able to comply with U.S. Bank policies and procedures including the Code of Ethics and Business Conduct and related workplace conduct and safety policies.Posting may be closed earlier due to high volume of applicants.SummaryLocation: Minneapolis, MNType: Full time