Senior Payroll Analyst

Job Location United States, California, Oakland Role Summary The Senior Payroll Analyst serves as a subject matter expert for payroll operations, systems, tax compliance, and process improvements. The role provides operational support to the Payroll Manager while leading complex payroll initiatives, including system implementations, upgrades, tax compliance, reconciliations, audits, and year‑end processing. The Senior Payroll Analyst partners closely with Accounting, Human Resources, IT, and external vendors to ensure payroll processes remain accurate, compliant, efficient, and aligned with evolving business needs. Responsibilities Serve as the payroll systems subject matter expert, leading and supporting payroll system implementations, upgrades, tax updates, patches, conversions, and enhancements across platforms such as Oracle Cloud, Ceridian Dayforce, Splash BI, and other payroll technologies. Act as the primary point of contact for payroll tax matters, including agency notices, tax account registrations, state and local tax IDs, State Unemployment Insurance (SUI) accounts, and tax compliance inquiries. Maintain payroll tax configurations, including unemployment insurance wage limits, tax rates, workers' compensation job codes, and related payroll system updates. Manage W-2 corrections, quarterly Form 941 amendments, payroll tax reconciliations, and payroll tax code mapping to minimize processing errors and ensure regulatory compliance. Perform and oversee bi‑weekly, monthly, quarterly, and year‑end payroll reconciliations, tax filings, and reporting requirements. Monitor federal, state, and local payroll legislation and regulatory changes, ensuring timely implementation of compliance updates while identifying opportunities for continuous process improvement. Lead the annual payroll year‑end process, including planning, execution, reconciliation, testing, and completion of all year‑end deliverables. Complete salary reclassification requests and prepare journal voucher templates for Accounting as needed. Reconcile payroll general ledger accounts, bank statements, and payroll‑related financial transactions while researching and resolving variances. Provide payroll reporting and financial data to Accounting and business partners, including support for Form 990 reporting and other organizational reporting requirements. Maintain payroll documentation, desktop procedures, policies, and internal process documentation to ensure accuracy and compliance. Manage and maintain payroll‑related content on the company intranet and employee portal. Serve as the payroll lead for internal and external audits, including MAR, union, workers' compensation, retirement plan, and other regulatory or financial audits. Partner with Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, IT, and external vendors to resolve complex payroll issues and support cross‑functional initiatives. Serve as a resource and subject matter expert for payroll‑related questions across the organization. Provide backup support to the Payroll Manager and perform additional payroll responsibilities as needed. Qualifications Required Bachelor's degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. High school diploma or equivalent required. 6 or more years of progressive payroll experience supporting complex, multi‑state payroll operations. Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations, wage and hour laws, and payroll compliance requirements. Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including PivotTables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, IF statements, and complex formulas. Experience with payroll accounting processes, including journal entries, account reconciliations, month‑end close activities, and general ledger reconciliation. Experience working with Oracle Cloud, Ceridian Dayforce, or similar enterprise payroll systems. Strong analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving skills with exceptional attention to detail. Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to collaborate across departments. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines in a fast‑paced environment. Ability to handle highly confidential employee and payroll information with discretion and professionalism. Preferred Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification. Experience supporting California and Pennsylvania payroll tax compliance. Experience participating in payroll system implementations, conversions, or major upgrades. Knowledge of business intelligence and reporting tools such as Splash BI. Base Pay Information The national base pay range at the end is a good‑faith estimate of what Delta Dental may pay for new hires. Actual pay may vary based on Delta Dental's assessment of the candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs), related experience, education, certifications and ability to meet required minimum job qualifications. Other factors impacting pay include prevailing wages in the work location and internal equity. Pay Grade 19: $64,000 – $135,000. Additional Information Important Work Authorization Information: This position requires that the applicant undergo a background check. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with any applicable federal, state, or local laws. Delta Dental will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position. Fair Chance Ordinances and Criminal Background Considerations: Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with any applicable federal, state, or local laws, including the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and/or New York Corrections Law Article 23-A. Delta Dental Ins. is an equal‑opportunity employer and is committed to a professional work environment free from discrimination and harassment. Individuals seeking employment at Delta Dental are considered without regard to race, ethnicity, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, actual or perceived physical or mental disability, registered domestic partner status, caregiver status, marital status, veteran or military status, citizenship status, or any other legally protected category. Delta Dental is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Accordingly, we have adopted and maintain an Equal Employment Opportunity Policy, Harassment‑Free Work Environment Policy, and Respectful Workplace policies and will not tolerate violations of these policies. Unfortunately, our Delta Dental Enterprise is unable to hire individuals residing in Alaska, North Dakota, Nebraska, Hawaii, Oklahoma, Vermont, Maine, West Virginia, New Hampshire, Wyoming, Puerto Rico, District of Columbia (Washington D.C.) or other U.S. Territories at this time. Proof of eligibility to work in the United States must be provided if selected for hire. #J-18808-Ljbffr