Analytics-Driven Payroll Operations Lead

Red Robin; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 67,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

Red Robin is seeking a Senior Payroll Operations Analyst to ensure accurate payroll processing, maintain strong controls, and support audits across multi-state operations. You will partner with HR, Finance, and external providers to optimize payroll workflows and resolve complex cases.

The ideal candidate has 3–5+ years in payroll/HR operations, payroll tax experience, and advanced Excel skills. Knowledge of Workday or ADP is a plus, and the role encourages innovative automation while upholding

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of progressive payroll or HR operations experience.
• Payroll tax experience, including multi-state compliance.
• Strong understanding of payroll processes, controls, and reporting.
• Experience researching payroll discrepancies and vendor/system variances.
• Experience coaching or training junior team members (preferred).
• Ability to lead assigned workstreams and manage deadlines.
• Comfort with AI and automation tools while maintaining quality.

Responsibilities

• Support payroll processing activities to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and consistency across recurring payroll cycles.
• Review and validate payroll transactions, adjustments, earnings, deductions, and related data changes.
• Research and resolve payroll discrepancies by partnering with HR, Finance, Accounting, field leadership, and external vendors.
• Support complex payroll cases, escalations, and off-cycle processing needs as required.
• Assist with periodic and year-end payroll activities, including data validation and reporting.
• Maintain knowledge of payroll policies and applicable federal/state/local requirements.
• Perform payroll-related reconciliations and assist with audits and controls testing.
• Coordinate with payroll service providers to resolve processing or compliance matters.
• Provide coaching and guidance to junior team members and back up Payroll Manager as needed.

Skills

Payroll operations

Payroll tax

Excel

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Leadership

Multi-state payroll

Process improvement

AI/Automation

Tools

Workday

ADP

Job description

Red Robin is seeking a Senior Payroll Operations Analyst to ensure accurate payroll processing, maintain strong controls, and support audits across multi-state operations. You will partner with HR, Finance, and external providers to optimize payroll workflows and resolve complex cases.

The ideal candidate has 3–5+ years in payroll/HR operations, payroll tax experience, and advanced Excel skills. Knowledge of Workday or ADP is a plus, and the role encourages innovative automation while upholding