Payroll Specialist POST NUMBER: 482458

Payroll Specialist (Contract-to-Hire)

Location: Onsite (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
Compensation: $65,000 – $75,000 (upon conversion)
Type: Contract-to-Hire

Position Overview

We are seeking a detail-oriented Payroll Specialist to manage full-cycle payroll operations for a workforce of approximately 2,200 employees. This is a highly visible, standalone role requiring strong ownership, accuracy, and communication skills to ensure timely and precise payroll processing.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end payroll processing for ~2,200 employees on a weekly schedule
• Ensure payroll is accurately processed and finalized each Wednesday , including handling any last-minute changes
• Perform manual reconciliation of payroll data between Paylocity and Attendance on Demand systems
• Maintain and update employee payroll records, including frequent adjustments and data inputs (often daily)
• Partner closely with managers to review, validate, and clarify payroll-related requests
• Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies in a timely manner
• Ensure compliance with all applicable payroll laws, regulations, and internal policies

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing high-volume payroll processing independently
• Experience working in a standalone payroll role (“one-person shop”) strongly preferred
• Proficiency with payroll systems such as Paylocity and timekeeping platforms
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage complex, high-frequency data updates
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments
• Ability to work under deadlines and manage workload fluctuations, particularly around payroll cycles

What to Expect

• Fast-paced environment with frequent payroll updates and adjustments
• Weekly payroll cycles requiring flexibility on processing days (especially Wednesdays)
• High level of interaction with internal stakeholders to ensure payroll accuracy

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual’s skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company’s 401(k) retirement plan. Additional disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted in the job description, the position Vaco/Highspring is filing for is occupied. Please note, however, that Vaco/Highspring is regularly asked to provide talent to other organizations. By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. Submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase within Vaco/Highspring will be otherwise assessed by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco/Highspring does not have knowledge of the tools used by its clients in making final hiring decisions and cannot opine on their use of AI products.