Job Summary:

The Payroll Team Lead plays a key role in the day-to-day operations of the payroll function, actively participating in payroll processing while coordinating team workflows. Reporting directly to the Payroll Director, this position serves as the primary point of contact for the payroll team, acting as a subject matter expert and informal leader to support compliance, accuracy, and efficiency.

While not responsible for overall payroll strategy, the Payroll Team Lead supports the Director in executing payroll processes, maintaining operational continuity, and guiding staff on best practices. The role ensures compliance with internal policies and external regulations, performs audits and reconciliations, and supports payroll reporting and accounting functions. This position works closely with HR, Finance, and external vendors to maintain data integrity, resolve issues, and drive continuous improvement in payroll operations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Process payroll for assigned pay groups (e.g., hourly, salaried, multi-state, etc.).
• Lead day-to-day payroll operations to ensure timely and accurate payroll processing.
• Review, audit, and validate payroll inputs, including timecards, new hires, terminations, bonuses, commissions, and deductions.
• Monitor and analyze employee transactions submitted through manager self-service; develop audit queries and ensure corrections are completed by processing deadlines.
• Collaborate with HR and Benefits to ensure employee data accuracy and completeness.
• Partner with Accounting/Finance to ensure correct GL interface postings; assist with payroll reconciliations and issue resolution.
• Serve as a go-to resource for payroll staff for systems, processes, and issue escalation.
• Respond to and resolve employee payroll inquiries professionally and promptly.
• Assess and improve time and attendance processes; identify and implement efficiency improvements.
• Document payroll procedures and assist with training new team members and end users.
• Maintain payroll controls and ensure compliance with internal policies, SOX requirements, and external regulations.
• Audit and enforce tax compliance, including FLSA, multi-state taxation.

• Provide support for internal and external audits related to payroll.

• Oversee/Audit workflow approval processes to ensure appropriate approval hierarchies for time-related events are maintained (Dayforce).
• Oversee tax reconciliations and coordinate with vendors to ensure timely and accurate tax data processing.
• Perform regular audits of approval workflows and matrix structures to ensure proper time event authorization.
• Support year-end processing, including W-2 balancing, correction handling, tax updates, and system resets for new payroll year readiness.
• Assist with system updates, payroll-related testing, and implementation of process improvements.
• Manage or support payroll-related projects and initiatives as assigned.
• Test and validate new features, enhancements, and system changes within payroll and time & attendance platforms to ensure functionality, accuracy, and compliance prior to production deployment.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of five (5) years of work experience in payroll, payroll tax reporting for a multi-state, multi FEIN employer.
• Strong compliance knowledge including Sarbanes-Oxley requirements.
• Complete knowledge of labor and tax laws, multi-state tax, non-resident tax and the ability to identify and research unusual pay events.
• Experience with garnishments, stock options, relocation and other fringe benefits.
• Excel skills required
• Strong customer service skills.
• Time and attendance system experience preferred.
• Bilingual Preferred

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Business Administration or a related field of study, or equivalent years of related work experience.
• CPP Preferred