Payroll Lead

Pura Vida Miami; Miami (FL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

PTO

Discounted meals

401(k) match

Job summary

Pura Vida Miami is seeking a Payroll Lead to manage end-to-end payroll for a multi-state hourly workforce across 60+ locations. You will oversee accuracy, lead a team of Payroll Specialists and ensure timely, compliant payroll processing.

Responsibilities include audits, handling tips and premiums, wage and hour compliance, and collaboration with Operations to resolve issues. Experience with UKG Ready is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting, finance, or a related field preferred.
• 3-5 years of hands-on payroll, including at least 1 year as a lead (training others or owning a payroll cycle end to end).
• Multi-state, high-volume hourly payroll required. Restaurant or hospitality preferred.
• Proficiency Excel/Google Sheets and payroll software programs.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to handle sensitive information confidentially.

Responsibilities

• Lead and process end-to-end payroll for multi-state, high-volume hourly workforce across 60+ restaurant locations. Process payroll each cycle while overseeing the team's work for accuracy and on-time completion
• Supervise, train, and support a team of Payroll Specialists. Assign and prioritize work, review processing, provide training and coaching and feedback, and acts as first point of escalation for the team.
• Own pre- and post-payroll audits each cycle, including variance reports, register reviews, and reconciliations, so errors are caught before payroll is finalized.
• Ensure accurate processing of tips, tip credits, service charges, overtime, and spread-of-hours or split-shift premiums where applicable.
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour laws, including final pay timing, paid sick leave accruals, and pay statement requirements.
• Process and monitor garnishments, child support orders, levies, and medical support notices.
• Manage the payroll inquiry and ticket queue to defined response-time standards and keep the backlog current.
• Partner with Operations and restaurant managers on timekeeping accuracy, missed punches, and payroll deadlines.
• Prepare off-cycle payments, manual checks, and corrections within established approval limits, and elevate exceptions promptly.
• Support quarter-end and year-end processes, including tax filings, W-2 reconciliation, and responses to agency notices.
• Maintain and improve payroll procedures, checklists, and documentation, and recommend process and system improvements.
• Run and analyze payroll reports in UKG Ready (or a comparable HRIS) for audits, accruals, and leadership requests.

Skills

Payroll processing

Team leadership

Multi-state payroll

Excel/Sheets proficiency

Time management

Attention to detail

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

UKG Ready

Job description

We are on a mission to provide the world with simple, wholesome food and beverage items that fit today's lifestyle, offering an intimate - yet fast and consistent - experience to our customers.

We love and take pride in what we do, and we currently offer an exciting opportunity to join a thriving and ever-growing brand in this industry.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead and process end-to-end payroll for multi-state, high-volume hourly workforce across 60+ restaurant locations. Process payroll each cycle while overseeing the team's work for accuracy and on-time completion
• Supervise, train, and support a team of Payroll Specialists. Assign and prioritize work, review processing, provide training and coaching and feedback, and acts as first point of escalation for the team.
• Own pre- and post-payroll audits each cycle, including variance reports, register reviews, and reconciliations, so errors are caught before payroll is finalized.
• Ensure accurate processing of tips, tip credits, service charges, overtime, and spread-of-hours or split-shift premiums where applicable.
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour laws, including final pay timing, paid sick leave accruals, and pay statement requirements.
• Process and monitor garnishments, child support orders, levies, and medical support notices.
• Manage the payroll inquiry and ticket queue to defined response-time standards and keep the backlog current.
• Partner with Operations and restaurant managers on timekeeping accuracy, missed punches, and payroll deadlines.
• Prepare off-cycle payments, manual checks, and corrections within established approval limits, and elevate exceptions promptly.
• Support quarter-end and year-end processes, including tax filings, W-2 reconciliation, and responses to agency notices.
• Maintain and improve payroll procedures, checklists, and documentation, and recommend process and system improvements.
• Run and analyze payroll reports in UKG Ready (or a comparable HRIS) for audits, accruals, and leadership requests.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting, finance, or a related field preferred.
• 3-5 years of hands-on payroll, including at least 1 year as a lead, senior or acting lead (training others or owning a payroll cycle end to end).
• Multi-state, high-volume hourly payroll required. Restaurant or hospitality preferred
• Proficiency Excel/Google Sheets and payroll software programs.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to handle sensitive information confidentially.

BENEFITS:

• Health & Wellness - Medical, Dental & Vision
• PTO
• Discounted Meals
• 401(k) Plan with Company Match

The general nature and level of work being performed by persons assigned to this job classification are contained in this job description. This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, essential job functions, duties, skills required and other job requirements of personnel in this role. All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time as needed. Management reserves the right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to the job at any time.

Pura Vida Miami is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a workplace where diversity is celebrated and everyone feels welcome, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. We believe that building a team with diverse perspectives and experiences makes us stronger, more creative, and more connected to the communities we serve.