Payroll Operations Specialist
Spencer Ogden, Arlington, VA, United States
Job Title:
Payroll Operations Specialist
Location:
Arlington, VA
Schedule:
Monday–Thursday in office, Friday remote
Employment Type:
Contract-to-Hire
In order to make an application, simply read through the following job description and make sure to attach relevant documents.
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 xywuqvp 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
Payroll Operations Specialist
Location:
Arlington, VA
Schedule:
Monday–Thursday in office, Friday remote
Employment Type:
Contract-to-Hire
In order to make an application, simply read through the following job description and make sure to attach relevant documents.
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 xywuqvp 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