Payroll Specialist II

Job Description

Job Description

Location: Hybrid-Tualatin/Remote

Position Status: Full-time

Looking for a role where your work has real impact? 

At Xenium HR, we’re on a mission to transform workplaces for the better. You’ll join a team of passionate HR, Payroll, and Benefits professionals working with small and medium-sized businesses across the Pacific Northwest. We support businesses with limited or no internal HR resources, as well as companies with internal HR staff seeking expertise and training. We’re known for building strong relationships with our clients, so we can help identify what their business really needs to transform and thrive.

What it’s like to work here

Providing transformational services starts within our walls. We’re invested in creating a positive, rewarding experience with opportunities to learn, grow, advance, and shape the workplace. Xenium offers an inclusive work environment where employees can both make a difference and succeed. If you value authentic relationships, service excellence, diversity, equity, and inclusion—and want to work where everyone knows you and your name, Xenium may be the place for you.

How this role transforms workplaces:

• Processes multi-state payroll for medium to large sized and more complex clients with higher number of worksite employees.
• Audits payrolls for accuracy. Audits a mixture of pay codes with corresponding workers’ compensation codes. Audits W-4’s and complies with IRS compliance letters. Audits vacation, sick and PTO accruals to correctly correspond with each client’s policy. Exercises a great deal of attention to detail to accurately prepare and process payrolls.
• Provides top notch customer service to clients, both external and internal, providing the most accurate and compliant answer in a timely manner. Customer service includes emails and phone conversations with same day responses. Analyzes customer concerns and provides resolutions that benefit both the client and are within legal guidelines. Builds a relationship of trust and sincerity with clients.
• Maintains payroll recordkeeping and processing functions, including computing, calculating, auditing, and processing regular and special payroll runs such as commissions, retroactive adjustments, and bonuses. Calculates garnishments, deductions, and loan payments, and processes out-of-cycle pay runs, including final checks.
• Applies intermediate knowledge of payroll principles including final check laws, state/local taxes, paid leave, O/T, FLSA. Conducts research and implements fundamental payroll and PTO regulations with precision. Enters and audits client employee data in the payroll system, including new hire paperwork, address changes, benefits, PTO/vacation/sick accruals, terminations, and W-4 updates.
• Displays excellent communication skills including persuasion, and negotiation skills required in working with clients and coworkers and including the ability to communicate effectively and remain calm and courteous under pressure.
• Demonstrates critical thinking and a proactive approach to address payroll inquiries.
• Demonstrates commitment to the “One Team” strategic initiative by communicating respectfully, taking shared accountability for outcomes, and collaborating across teams to deliver a consistent, high-quality client experience.
• Respectfully takes direction from managers and leaders while consistently demonstrating behaviors aligned with Xenium Core Values.
• Demonstrates intermediate knowledge of timekeeping platforms, performing setup and maintenance across all three systems; compiling reports; maintaining PTO plans, registers, and enrollments; entering benefit adjustments; and completing tax adjustment forms.
• Within ClientSpace (CRM) and other designated systems (Prism, Monday Board, Guru, helpdesk), inputs timely and accurate client information—including high-risk details—and tracks all client service activities.

Who you’ll work with:

Payroll team, Benefits team, HR Business Partners, various clients

Required experience and skills :

• Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university; minimum two+ years payroll processing experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Multi-state payroll knowledge required.
• Prism HR platform experience required.
• Multi-client or PEO experience preferred.
• Passion for managing and delivering Payroll services.
• Commitment to advancing racial equity, and diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in the workplace.
• Exceptional customer service skills and ability to work independently.
• Must possess excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Must demonstrate trustworthiness, confidentiality, initiative, and flexibility.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.

Don’t meet every requirement? We’d still like to hear from you:

If you enjoy being part of a collaborative team, building relationships, and making a difference in workplaces, we encourage you to apply – even if you believe you don’t meet all of the requirements described. Studies have shown that individuals with marginalized identities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every qualification in the job description. Our priority is finding the best candidate for the job, and we welcome candidates from all backgrounds. Xenium HR is an equal opportunity employer, promoting diversity and inclusion and offering a learning and team-focused environment.

Total compensation and salary range:

Our total rewards philosophy is centered around the whole person, including comprehensive health and financial benefits and life balance resources designed to support the passion, commitment, and energy that is vital to our team members. 

Xenium HR is committed to providing a competitive compensation package. The starting salary for this role ranges from $29.41-$31.25/hour, based on skills/knowledge, years of experience, and ensuring pay equity within the organization. The hiring team will share more details regarding compensation based on your experience and location during the interview process. 

Benefits: 

Employer paid medical, dental, vision

FSA for health & dependent care

Life & Disability plans

Employee Assistance program

Wellness program

401k with match

Profit Sharing program

Paid time off 

Paid holidays of your choice

Perks:

Flexible work arrangement with autonomy and trust

Caring leadership

Complimentary massages

½ day in summer 1x/month (June, July, August)

Tuition/educational assistance for under-grad degrees

Sabbatical and travel awards starting at 10 years

Professional development book clubs and cultural awareness & appreciation conversations

Regular training events

Peer Recognition & Reward program

Employee referral bonus

Business referral bonus

Monthly all-team meetings and team events

Community service

DEI and culture initiatives & teams

Discounts on Stoller wine 

To learn more about the workplace culture at Xenium HR, view our video: