Senior Payroll Specialist
Work Arrangement: Hybrid in downtown Chicago (2 days WFH)
Role Overview: The Senior Payroll Specialist is responsible for delivering accurate, compliant payroll operations while supporting system optimization and organizational growth. This role serves as a trusted functional expert, partnering cross-functionally to enhance payroll processes, strengthen data integrity, and improve the overall employee experience.
This position plays a critical role in managing payroll execution while contributing to system integration initiatives and scalable operational practices.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage and execute multi-state payrolls across multiple pay groups and schedules, ensuring accuracy and regulatory compliance
- Serve as a subject matter expert for payroll, timekeeping, and related enterprise systems
- Support system configuration, user testing, and integrations during HR and payroll technology implementations
- Administer time-off accruals and ensure accurate alignment with payroll cycles
- Process wage garnishments, tax levies, and child support orders in accordance with federal and state regulations
- Handle employment verification requests and manage documentation compliance processes
- Maintain employee payroll records including onboarding, offboarding, and status changes
- Support benefit enrollments, terminations, and payroll-related benefit deductions
- Assist in year-end tax processes and statutory reporting requirements
- Complete administrative recordkeeping tied to payroll and benefits operations
- Reconcile benefit invoices and carrier billing to ensure accurate employee coverage and deductions
- Support unemployment claims and continuation of coverage processes
- Prepare payroll and benefits reports, identifying trends and improvement opportunities
- Identify and implement process improvements and automation opportunities
- Partner with internal stakeholders and external vendors to maintain operational excellence
Required Skills & Experience
- Minimum of 5 years of demonstrated payroll experience, including multi-state processing
- Strong working knowledge of payroll compliance, tax regulations, and best practices
- Proven ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and integrity
- Exceptional organizational skills with strong attention to detail
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- Solid foundation in payroll-related accounting principles
- Advanced proficiency in office productivity tools
- Experience with enterprise payroll and HR systems required; implementation experience is a strong plus
- High school diploma or equivalent required
- Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, human resources, or related field preferred
Qualified candidates, please email your resume to the following address for immediate consideration: ericmaleski@ifgus.com