Senior US Payroll Specialist / Lead

Overview

We are hiring an experienced Senior US Payroll Specialist / Lead responsible for managing and improving US payroll operations. This role demands handling complex multi-state payroll functions, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and driving continuous enhancements. The position is based in Chennai with a requirement to operate in US shift hours including night shifts with rotational weekly offs.

Key Duties

• Serve as a payroll subject matter expert (SME), managing escalated issues such as multi-state tax complexities, leave calculations, wage garnishments, retroactive payments, and handling complex earnings and deductions.
• Troubleshoot and reconcile timekeeping systems discrepancies (such as Kronos and Compass) impacting payroll accuracy.
• Review and validate payroll inputs before processing, including time, earnings, deductions, and exceptions for precision and completeness.
• Analyze payroll reports diligently and lead all post-payroll activities, encompassing validations, corrections, and reconciliations.
• Perform Build-to-Gross and Gross-to-Net payroll reconciliations across all employee groups.
• Conduct audits by reconciling pre- and post-payroll reports, resolving inconsistencies in cooperation with client SMEs and stakeholders.
• Compile wage and taxable data, validate payroll registers, and reconcile deductions related to 401(k) and benefits.
• Prepare and validate tax data supporting federal and state filings on quarterly and annual schedules.
• Lead payroll run audits across various platforms like Workday, ADP, and Kronos to assure compliance and accuracy.
• Oversee compliance-related activities including SOX readiness, vendor audits, reporting, and submitting statutory requirements.
• Implement payroll process enhancements aligned with changing US tax laws and internal standards.
• Manage escalations and complex data issues, offering guidance on Tier 0/Tier 1 payroll queries.
• Collaborate closely with HR, Finance, and Legal departments to align payroll functions with organizational objectives.
• Maintain productive relationships with external vendors such as ADP, Sedgwick, and Equifax, ensuring adherence to quality and compliance.
• Lead transformation efforts including automation (RPA, AI, analytics), root cause analysis of payroll errors, continuous improvement, and training.
• As a team lead, mentor junior payroll professionals, manage task distribution, maintain SLA/KPI compliance, and foster capability development.

Qualifications

• Between 2 and 9 years of experience in US payroll, payroll auditing, or compliance.
• Proven expertise with Workday or ADP payroll systems; experience with Kronos or Compass timekeeping systems is desired.
• Preferred certifications include FPC or CPP.
• Educational qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or HR; Master’s degree is an advantage.
• Thorough understanding of US payroll laws, multi-state taxation, FICA, garnishments, and compliance requirements.

Additional Information

The role requires working full-time in Chennai, supporting night shifts coinciding with US timings and includes weekly rotational days off. The organization strictly prohibits any payment or favors in exchange for employment and encourages reporting any suspicious activity promptly.