Sr. Payroll Operations Analyst

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Sr. Payroll Operations Analyst based in United States.

As a Sr. Payroll Operations Analyst, you will take ownership of end-to-end payroll operations across multiple company entities and jurisdictions. You will serve as the primary payroll processor and systems administrator, ensuring every pay cycle is accurate, compliant, timely, and well documented. The role combines hands-on payroll expertise with data analysis, systems management, tax administration, and process improvement. You will work closely with Human Resources, Finance, People Operations, and Legal to build scalable payroll processes and resolve complex issues. You will also act as a trusted resource for employees, providing clear and accurate guidance on pay, taxes, deductions, and equity-related matters. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful operational impact within a fast-growing, multi-entity environment where precision and continuous improvement are highly valued.

• Own end-to-end biweekly payroll processing as the lead Preparer for all on-cycle and off-cycle runs, including validating new hires, terminations, bonuses, retroactive adjustments, and one-time payments.
• Manage payroll exceptions, manual overrides, system calculations, and audit trails while following established Preparer, Reviewer, and Approver controls.
• Review payroll results, preview reports, exception outputs, earnings, deductions, and pay group configurations to ensure accuracy before submission.
• Validate paycheck-level taxation across multiple states, monitor withholding activity, and address discrepancies in a timely manner.
• Process garnishments, levies, and other involuntary deductions while supporting quarterly and year-end tax reconciliation and filing validation.
• Research multi-state tax requirements, wage and hour regulations, and withholding rules, maintaining accurate compliance trackers and filing deadlines.
• Process equity transactions through payroll, validate supplemental withholding, maintain equity-to-payroll audit logs, and support year-end reconciliation in partnership with Finance and Stock Administration.
• Administer payroll system configurations, workflow automations, and settings; identify errors, recommend improvements, and document resolution procedures.
• Develop ad hoc reports and analyze payroll data for Finance, People, and Legal stakeholders while tracking accuracy, efficiency, and other key performance indicators.
• Support general ledger reconciliation and payroll-to-finance reporting requirements, ensuring reliable and consistent financial data.
• Maintain accurate payroll master data, employee pay records, configuration logs, audit trails, standard operating procedures, checklists, and operational playbooks.
• Serve as a Tier I and Tier II escalation point for employee payroll inquiries, providing clear guidance on compensation, taxes, deductions, equity events, and payroll processes.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Human Resources, Finance, People Operations, and Legal on payroll inputs, policy questions, audits, and process improvements.

Requirements

• 5+ years of payroll operations experience with direct ownership of payroll processing in a multi-state environment.
• Advanced technical proficiency with Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) and payroll platforms.
• Strong analytical and data-validation capabilities, with a demonstrated ability to maintain high levels of accuracy in high-volume payroll environments.
• Working knowledge of wage and hour regulations, pay calculations, payroll administration, and multi-state tax compliance.
• Advanced Excel or Google Sheets skills; experience with macros, query tools, or similar data-analysis capabilities is a plus.
• Strong attention to detail, confidentiality, organization, and time management, particularly in fast-paced environments with sensitive employee information.
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills, with the ability to explain complex payroll matters clearly to employees and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred; Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) or Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification is a plus.
• Experience with Rippling or a comparable enterprise payroll platform is preferred.
• Experience processing equity transactions and administering payroll tax requirements for equity-based compensation is preferred.
• Experience in healthcare, startups, or other high-growth, multi-entity environments is a plus.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future visa sponsorship.

Benefits

• Annual base salary of $100,000–$120,000, depending on experience, location, and other relevant factors.
• Competitive benefits package with a growth-company stock option grant.
• Stock options with standard startup vesting: one-year cliff and four years total vesting.
• $50 monthly communication expense stipend toward phone or internet costs.
• $250 stipend to enhance your work-from-home setup.
• Reimbursement for peripheral equipment, including monitors up to $400 and keyboard/mouse equipment up to $200.
• Premium medical, dental, and vision benefits with 100% employee coverage.
• Company-sponsored life and disability insurance.
• Paid parental bonding leave.
• Paid sick leave, jury duty, and bereavement leave.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Flexible Time Off, with team members typically taking approximately 3–4 weeks per year.
• Volunteer Time Off.
• 13 scheduled holidays.

We use an AI-powered matching process to ensure your application is reviewed quickly, objectively, and fairly against the role's core requirements. Our system identifies the top-fitting candidates, and this shortlist is then shared directly with the hiring company. The final decision and next steps (interviews, assessments) are managed by their internal team.

We appreciate your interest and wish you the best!

Why Apply Through Jobgether?

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