Senior Payroll Analyst

Senior Payroll Analyst

The Senior Payroll Analyst serves as a subject matter expert for payroll operations, systems, tax compliance, and process improvements. This 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

Behind the smile! We are dedicated to safeguarding the health and financial stability of our employees and their loved ones. This commitment extends beyond the workplace to foster personal growth and holistic wellbeing. Our life-changing rewards package includes:

• Competitive base and incentive pay
• 401(k) with robust matching and non-matching contributions
• Rich medical & pharmacy benefits
• 100% employer-paid dental and vision benefits
• Holistic wellbeing program with deep financial incentives
• Generous paid time off plus 12 paid holidays and your birthday off
• Culture of growth and learning: career development; tuition reimbursement; recognition program
• Family support: adoption assistance, fertility treatment, child, elder & pet care assistance
• Social responsibility and volunteer opportunities
• Employee discount program

Fair Chance Ordinances and Criminal Background Considerations 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, including, but not limited to, 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. Important Work Authorization Information Please note, Delta Dental will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position. #LI-Hybrid

About the Team

At Delta Dental, we're behind millions of smiles and counting. For over 68 years, we've served our communities by increasing access to affordable, quality care – but that commitment to care extends beyond the people we serve, to the dedicated employees who make those smiles genuine. We've come this far by building fair programs that offer opportunities for advancement, create meaningful connections and improve the lives of our employees and their families. Because we know that when we take exceptional care of each other, we can make a positive impact for all. We champion an inspirational workplace through our commitment to trust, service, excellence and innovation. Joining us means working for a company that offers stability and balance, opportunities for leadership at all levels, and a work environment focused on teamwork and camaraderie. Discover the smiling faces behind Delta Dental and experience our values and culture in action by connecting with us on social media. Follow Delta Dental Ins. on Facebook and Instagram, #LifeatDDins on Facebook and Instagram, Delta Dental Ins. on Twitter and Delta Dental Ins. on LinkedIn. If you've got an appetite for innovation and want to be a part of a team that's transforming the future of health care, join us! Since 1955, we have offered comprehensive, high-quality oral health care benefits to millions of enrollees and built the strongest network of dental providers in the country. The Delta Dental of California network includes affiliates Delta Dental Insurance Company; Delta Dental of Pennsylvania; Delta Dental of New York, Inc.; Delta Dental of the District of Columbia; Delta Dental of Delaware, Inc.; and Delta Dental of West Virginia, providing dental benefits to more than 31 million people across 15 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The company and its affiliates are part of Delta Dental Plans Association (DDPA), a not-for-profit national association based in Oak Brook, Illinois. Through our national network of Delta Dental companies, we offer dental coverage in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories. We offer vision coverage through DeltaVision in 15 states and the District of Columbia. Collectively, we deliver benefits to more Americans than any other dental insurance company. Delta Dental Ins. is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing 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