Contract (6 months) with potential to convert to Permanent
Reports To-Associate Director, Global Payroll
Location-New York City (Hybrid – 50% in office, minimum 2 days per week)
Pay- $75-$84 an hour
Our client is looking for a Payroll Officer. The Payroll Officer is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of U.S. payroll, with additional oversight of a small Amsterdam payroll. This role ensures compliance with all federal, state, and local payroll regulations while maintaining high standards of data integrity, confidentiality, and customer service. The position works closely with internal teams and external payroll providers to deliver reliable payroll operations.
Required:
The required minimum payroll experience is 6 years.
- Bachelor’s degree
- Proven experience processing full-cycle U.S. payroll using Workday Payroll (not HRIS only)
Preferred:
- CPP (Certified Payroll Professional)
Experience & Skills
- Strong experience managing payroll in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
- Solid understanding of U.S. payroll principles and basic accounting concepts (GL, debits/credits, journal entries)
- Experience working with internal and external stakeholders and vendors
- Ability to conduct internal audits and implement corrective actions
- Experience with continuous process improvement
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret large data sets
Core Competencies
- High attention to detail and strong organizational skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to manage confidential information with discretion
- Solution-oriented mindset with strong follow-through
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively
- Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and respectful workplace practices
Language Requirements
- Fluent in English
- Additional languages are a plus
Travel & Commute
- Hybrid schedule requiring at least two days per week in the NYC office
- Must reside within a reasonable commuting distance
- Occasional travel for team meetings may be required
Key Responsibilities
Payroll Processing & Quality Assurance
- Process U.S. payroll accurately and on time using Workday.
- Coordinate payroll processing with external providers
- Oversee payroll consultants by assigning work, reviewing outputs, and ensuring accuracy and compliance.
- Review and validate payroll changes, audits, and supporting documentation prior to submission.
- Maintain payroll calendars and communicate deadlines to all stakeholders.
Compliance, Reporting & Controls
- Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local payroll and tax regulations.
- Manage incoming payroll-related mail and take appropriate follow-up actions.
- Prepare monthly payroll summaries, reconciliations, and variance explanations for leadership review.
- Maintain exception logs for retro pay, off-cycle payments, and special payroll cases.
- Prepare year-end payroll documentation, including W-2 support and audit materials.
Vendor & Cross-Functional Coordination
- Serve as the primary point of contact between internal teams and external payroll vendors.
- Ensure payroll inputs are complete and submitted before cut-off deadlines.
- Partner with Finance, HR/P&C, IT, Legal, and other stakeholders on payroll-related matters.
- Support internal and external audits by providing documentation, reconciliations, and remediation support.
Employee Support & Knowledge Management
- Respond to employee payroll inquiries through Workday Help or other channels within SLAs.
- Resolve complex payroll issues and guide consultants on routine inquiries.
- Develop and maintain payroll knowledge articles and FAQs to support employee self-service.
- Provide informal coaching and subject-matter guidance to payroll consultants.
People Management
Key Performance Metrics
- Payroll accuracy
- Timeliness and compliance
- Process efficiency and continuous improvement
- Effective management and oversight of consultants
Key Relationships
Internal:
- Employee Support Center
- Total Rewards
- Finance
- Legal / OGC
External:
- Payroll providers
- Benefits providers
- Tax professionals
