Payroll Associate/Consultant

Empowered Hospitality; New York (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation & Holidays (15 days PTO + 12*

Health insurance

401(k) with employer match

Work-from-home flexibility

Job summary

Empowered Hospitality, based in the NYC metro area, is seeking an experienced Payroll Specialist to join its HR Operations team. You will handle payroll setup, processing, audits, and system configuration, while supporting reporting and analyses across HRIS platforms.

You’ll collaborate with senior team members and meet client expectations, maintaining accuracy and timely delivery. A strong attention to detail, proactive mindset, and commitment to excellence are essential to thrive in this role.

Qualifications

• 2-8 years of experience in Human Resources or Payroll Administration
• Experience handling high-volume payroll tasks
• Hospitality industry experience preferred
• Strong MS Office skills and business communication
• Fluent in English; Spanish proficiency preferred
• Bachelor’s degree in HR, business, or related field
• SHRM or related certification preferred

Responsibilities

• Payroll administration: setup, processing, audits, and system configuration
• Payroll system selection and troubleshooting
• Support reporting and analysis using HRIS, Excel, and Google Sheets
• Prepare research and analyses comparing payroll platforms/HRIS software
• Join client meetings to provide payroll insights and notes
• Organize E|H document storage, systems, and tools
• Pursue ongoing education on regulations and best practices
• Contribute to knowledge management and auditing tools

Skills

Process Execution

Attention to Detail

Time Management

Team Collaboration

Critical Thinking

MS Office

Business Communication

Problem-Solving

English & Spanish

Education

Bachelor's in HR or related field

SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP/SPHR/PMP or related certification

Tools

HRIS systems

Payroll systems

Excel

Google Sheets

Job description

As a member of Empowered Hospitality’s HR Operations team, you’ll provide essential support to our clients by executing a range of specialist tasks heavily tied to payroll. These may include administering payroll, conducting audits, configuring payroll systems, analyzing payroll platforms, and other related processes. You’ll play a key role in ensuring our internal systems and client deliverables are accurate, organized, and delivered on time. This position requires close collaboration with senior team members and direct engagement with clients, offering the opportunity to grow your skills and contribute meaningfully to client success.

We’re excited to welcome someone who brings strong attention to detail, a proactive mindset, and a commitment to excellence, service, and integrity.

Core Competencies

• Process Execution: Performing a variety of payroll-related tasks with accuracy, consistency, and timeliness
• Attention to Detail: Ensuring precision and thoroughness in documentation, data entry, and payroll processes to eliminate errors and maintain compliance
• Time Management: Balancing multiple time-sensitive projects while consistently meeting deadlines
• Team Collaboration: Partnering effectively with HR Leads and team members about project strategy, payroll processes, client requests, and overall service delivery
• Critical Thinking: Feeling confident questioning existing processes, identifying opportunities for improvement, and applying good judgment

Role Responsibilities

• Payroll administration, including:
  • Payroll setup
  • Payroll administration and processing
  • Payroll audits
  • Payroll system configuration
  • Payroll system selection
  • Payroll system troubleshooting
• Support reporting and analysis utilizing various HRIS systems, MS Excel/Google Sheets and other tools
• Conduct research and prepare comparative analyses of payroll platforms, HRIS software, etc.
• Join client meetings as needed to contribute on key initiatives, take detailed notes, and provide insights on payroll-related topics
• Support general organization of E|H document storage, systems and tools
• Continually pursue education regarding new concepts, regulations and leading practices
• Contribute to the knowledge management resources and advancement of our internal auditing tools

Experience & Education

• 2-8 years’ experience in Human Resources or Payroll Administration functions
• Demonstrated success managing a high volume of time-sensitive payroll-related tasks
• Familiarity with and passion for hospitality work environment
• Strong MS office skills, business communication, and problem-solving skills
• Fluent in written and spoken English; proficiency in written and spoken Spanish preferred
• Bachelor’s in human resources, business administration, or related field
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, PMP, or other related certification preferred

The specific level for this role (coordinator, associate, consultant) will be determined based on experience, expertise, and desired scope of responsibility. More senior roles will carry increased responsibility to lead others and higher expectations of work quality.

What's in it for you?

• Vacation and Time Off: 15 days PTO + 12 company holidays
• Healthcare: Medical, Dental and Vision coverage
• Retirement & financial: 401(k) with employer match; pre-tax commuter, medical and childcare benefits; monthly cell phone and internet reimbursement; company laptop, home office reimbursement
• Lifestyle support: Work-from-home flexibility; WeWork membership; team-building events; tuition reimbursement; employee recognition program

You must be based in the NYC metro area to be considered for this position

Empowered Hospitality is an equal opportunity employer.