Job Title: Payroll Operations Specialist
Location: Arlington, VA
Schedule: Monday–Thursday in office, Friday remote
Employment Type: Contract-to-Hire
Overview
We are seeking a highly analytical and experienced Payroll Operations Specialist to lead multi-country payroll operations in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. This role is ideal for a payroll professional who thrives on complexity, values compliance, and enjoys improving processes through automation.
This is a critical, high-impact role within the HR Operations team, requiring expertise in U.S. multi-state payroll as well as international payroll (Canada and Chile).
Key Responsibilities
Global Payroll Execution
- Manage end-to-end payroll processing across multi-state U.S., Canada, and Chile
- Ensure accurate calculation of wages, overtime, and country-specific deductions
Compliance & Tax Administration
- Maintain compliance with federal, state, local, and international payroll regulations
- Manage payroll tax registrations in new jurisdictions as needed
- Oversee year-end reporting (W-2s, T4s, etc.)
Equity & Benefits Administration
- Process payroll implications of stock options and equity vesting
- Manage benefit deductions and ensure accurate general ledger mapping
Financial Reconciliation
- Perform payroll reconciliations, journal entries, and GL audits
- Partner with Treasury on payroll funding
- Ensure SOX compliance and audit readiness
Process Improvement & Automation
- Identify and implement automation opportunities within payroll systems
- Enhance efficiency, accuracy, and data integrity across processes
Stakeholder Support
- Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll-related inquiries
- Provide clear communication and support to employees and business partners
Required Qualifications
- 6+ years of experience in multi-state U.S. payroll processing
- 4+ years of payroll tax experience
- Hands-on experience with Canadian and/or Chilean payroll
- Advanced proficiency in ADP Workforce Now
- Expert-level Excel skills (e.g., XLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, Data Validation)
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to manage high-volume workloads and competing priorities
Preferred Qualifications
- Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation
- Experience with Workday Payroll
- Experience managing stock plans and equity compensation
- Spanish language skills (preferred for international support)
What We’re Looking For
- Detail-oriented with an “audit-ready” mindset
- Strong ownership and accountability
- Ability to navigate complex payroll environments with accuracy
- Excellent communication skills across technical and non-technical audiences
- Continuous improvement mindset with a focus on automation
