Payroll Lead

Surestaff, LLC; Itasca (IL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Vision and dental coverage

Electronic weekly pay

Employee advocacy & support

Job summary

Surestaff, LLC is seeking an experienced Payroll Lead in Itasca, IL to oversee daily payroll operations and support a high-performing payroll team. Reporting to the Senior Accounting Manager, you will ensure accurate and timely processing while coordinating reconciliations and reporting.

Key responsibilities include training the payroll staff, resolving complex payroll issues, performing audits and year-end activities, and partnering with HR and Finance to drive process improvements and

Qualifications

• Three+ years hands-on payroll experience.
• Minimum 1 year as payroll lead/supervisor or readiness to lead.
• Experience with multi-state payroll and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily payroll operations and team workflow.
• Ensure accurate, timely payroll processing.
• Train and coach Payroll Administrators and Coordinators.
• Escalation point for payroll questions with Senior Accounting Manager.
• Support reconciliations, audits, and regulatory reporting.
• Research discrepancies and resolve issues.
• Maintain confidential payroll information and internal controls.
• Support payroll system testing and process improvements.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, Operations, Benefits, Risk Management.

Skills

Payroll experience

Team leadership

Excel proficiency

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, BA/HR or related

Tools

Avionté

ADP

Equifax reporting

ACH processing

Job description

Surestaff is seeking an experienced Payroll Lead in Itasca, IL to oversee daily payroll operations and support a high-performing payroll team. Reporting to the Senior Accounting Manager, this role is responsible for helping ensure accurate and timely payroll processing, coordinating reconciliations and reporting, resolving payroll issues, and maintaining compliance with federal, state, and local requirements.

What You’ll Do

• Supervise and support the payroll team’s daily workflow, scheduling, coverage, and deadlines.
• Help ensure payroll is processed accurately, timely, and consistently.
• Train, coach, and cross‑train Payroll Administrators and Payroll Coordinators.
• Serve as an initial escalation point for payroll questions and coordinate complex matters with the Senior Accounting Manager.
• Support payroll reconciliations, audits, quarter‑end and year‑end activities, W‑2 processing, and regulatory reporting.
• Research discrepancies and resolve employee and operational payroll issues.
• Maintain payroll procedures, internal controls, and the confidentiality of sensitive employee information.
• Support payroll system testing, upgrades, and process improvements.
• Partner with Human Resources, Finance, Operations, Benefits, and Risk Management.
• Promote accuracy, accountability, collaboration, customer service, and continuous improvement.

What You’ll Bring

• At least three years of hands‑on payroll experience.
• At least one year as a payroll lead, senior payroll specialist, or supervisor—or demonstrated readiness to lead a team.
• Experience processing moderate‑to‑high-volume payroll; multi‑state or multi‑location exposure is helpful.
• Working knowledge of payroll taxes, garnishments, wage and hour requirements, reconciliations, and compliance procedures.
• Experience with payroll, HRIS, or time‑keeping systems.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including formulas, reporting, data review, and reconciliations.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, communication, confidentiality, and problem‑solving skills.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Preferred ExperienceAssociate’s or bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field.
• FPC, CPP, or interest in pursuing a payroll certification.
• Payroll experience in staffing, temporary employment, manufacturing, distribution, or another high‑volume environment.
• Exposure to Avionté, ADP, Equifax reporting, Secure Choice programs, or ACH processing.
• Experience supporting multiple legal entities, locations, or states.
• Participation in payroll system implementations, conversions, testing cycles, mergers, or acquisitions.
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills.

Position Details

Schedule: Full-time, Monday through Friday, generally 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Salary: $55,000

Travel: Occasional travel to branch offices.

About Surestaff

Surestaff, we are dedicated to helping individuals unlock their career potential through meaningful job opportunities. As a leading staffing agency in the light industrial and manufacturing space, we pride ourselves on connecting talent with top employers across the Midwest and Southeast. With an estimated yearly revenue of $295 million, Surestaff was recently named one of the largest staffing firms in the U.S. by Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA). We understand that finding the right job is about more than just a paycheck – it's about finding the opportunity that fits your skills, goals, and lifestyle.

• Access to a wide range of job opportunities
• Competitive pay
• Health and Wellness Programs (including EAP)
• Medical benefits including medical, vision, dental, and prescriptions
• Electronic weekly pay
• Employee Advocacy & Personalized Job Support

Surestaff also follows all applicable state and local laws regarding sick time, paid time off, and retirement savings programs.

Surestaff is an equal opportunity employer.

Notice Regarding the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Employment DecisionsIn accordance with state mandates, we are providing this notice to inform all applicants and employees that artificial intelligence (AI) tools may be used at various stages of our employment processes. This may include recruitment, screening, hiring, promotion, or other employment-related evaluations. AI tools may assist in reviewing application materials, assessing qualifications, or supporting decision-making. These tools do not replace human judgment; rather, they are used to support consistent and efficient evaluation. Our commitment to speed-to-hire means we work efficiently to get you placed in the right role, fast.