Payroll Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Payroll Specialist
Location: Hybrid – 3 days onsite in Durham, NC
Duration: 6 month contract with potential for contract-to-hire

A growing financial services organization is seeking a Payroll Specialist to support payroll and HR operations. This role is responsible for processing payroll, maintaining employee data within the HRIS, administering benefits, managing vendor invoices, and providing general HR support. The ideal candidate has recent corporate payroll experience, excellent Excel skills, and thrives in a fast-paced environment where accuracy and attention to detail are critical. Payroll Specialists commonly manage payroll processing, employee deductions, HRIS updates, compliance, and employee support while partnering closely with HR and Finance.

Responsibilities

• Process payroll accurately and on time for 200+ employees while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations.
• Resolve payroll discrepancies and respond to employee payroll inquiries.
• Maintain employee records within the HRIS, including new hires, terminations, salary changes, promotions, and reporting updates.
• Support benefits administration, including enrollments, qualifying life events, open enrollment, retirement contribution files, and 401(k) support.
• Partner with benefit vendors to ensure accurate enrollments, invoicing, and reporting.
• Manage HR-related vendor invoices and ensure timely payments.
• Prepare payroll and HR reports for Finance.
• Track HR department expenses and assist with budget planning and forecasting.
• Provide administrative support for HR projects and day-to-day operations.
• Utilize advanced Excel skills to reconcile payroll data, analyze reports, and maintain accurate records.

Requirements

• 3+ years of recent payroll experience in a corporate environment.
• Experience processing payroll for 200+ employees.
• Strong Excel skills and attention to detail.
• Experience with HRIS systems, benefits administration, and vendor invoicing.
• Ability to support HR initiatives beyond payroll.
• Experience with Paylocity is a plus.