Payroll Lead, NA

LE001 The.Team: SME, LLC; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional Development

Generous Time Off

Parental Leave

401k plan

Healthcare

Ancillary benefits

Commuter Benefits

Job summary

THETEAM is seeking a Payroll Lead, NA to oversee day-to-day payroll operations for the U.S. and Canada, ensuring on-time and accurate processing.

You will manage two Payroll Specialists and partner with the Payroll Manager and Workday Analyst to strengthen controls and resolve issues. The role requires 3+ years of payroll experience, strong knowledge of multi-state and cross-border payroll, and advanced Excel skills.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of progressive payroll experience with complex U.S. payroll.
• Strong knowledge of multi-state payroll, tax, and deductions.
• Excellent analytical, reconciliation, and data validation skills.
• Proficiency with large payroll data sets and Excel reports.
• Clear written and verbal communication across stakeholders.
• Workday Payroll experience strongly preferred; cross-border knowledge a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end payroll operations for the U.S. and Canada, including calendars and funding.
• Coach two Payroll Specialists and ensure cross-training coverage.
• Perform payroll audits, investigate variances, and ensure accurate gross-to-net results.
• Serve as escalation point for complex payroll issues and cross-border questions.
• Coordinate quarter-end and year-end payroll activities and forms.
• Maintain payroll controls, documentation, and compliance with laws across regions.
• Partner with Workday Analyst on system changes, testing, and automation.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, Benefits and vendors on payroll matters.
• Identify recurring issues and drive process improvements while maintaining controls.

Skills

Payroll experience

Multi-state payroll

Analytical skills

Excel skills

Clear communication

Workday Payroll experience

Canadian payroll experience

Senior payroll processor

Tools

Workday Payroll

Job description

THETEAM is proud to provide representation and marketing services to talent, brands and properties across 28 countries and more than 70 cities worldwide. Shaped by our belief in the unifying power of sports, music and entertainment, THETEAM leads with intelligence, ideas and influence. For more information, please visit the.team.

JOB OVERVIEW

The Payroll Lead, NA, is responsible for the day-to-day execution and operational control of U.S. and Canadian payroll. This hands-on role leads two Payroll Specialists, ensures payroll is processed accurately and on time, and serves as the operational payroll resource for routine and complex payroll matters. The Payroll Lead partners closely with the Payroll Manager, NA, and the Workday Analyst, Payroll, to strengthen controls, resolve issues, improve processes, and support payroll system changes. The role is expected to independently manage daily payroll operations while escalating material compliance, policy, or strategic matters to the Payroll Manager.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Lead end-to-end payroll operations for the U.S. and Canada, including payroll calendars, inputs, validations, approvals, funding coordination, off-cycle payrolls, and post-payroll activities.
• Guide two Payroll Specialists by reviewing their work and output, providing coaching, and ensuring effective cross-training and coverage across payroll processes.
• Perform and oversee payroll audits and reconciliations, investigate variances, and ensure accurate gross-to-net results, deductions, taxes, and payroll-related data before payroll is finalized.
• Serve as the first escalation point for complex payroll issues, including retroactive pay, terminations, multi-state or cross-border questions, taxable earnings, garnishments, and payroll corrections.
• Coordinate quarter-end and year-end payroll activities, including tax balancing, employee tax forms, adjustments, and issue resolution with internal partners and payroll vendors.
• Maintain strong payroll controls, process documentation, and operating procedures, and support compliance with applicable federal, state, provincial, and local payroll requirements.
• Partner with the Workday Analyst, Payroll, on system defects, configuration changes, testing, integrations, releases, reporting, and automation opportunities that affect payroll operations.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, Benefits, and other stakeholders to resolve payroll matters and provide clear, timely communication on payroll impacts and required actions.
• Identify recurring issues and process gaps, recommend practical improvements, and help standardize and simplify payroll operations without compromising controls or compliance.
• Provide operational coverage during absences and ensure payroll can continue without reliance on a single individual or undocumented process.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• 3+ years of progressive payroll experience, including hands-on responsibility for complex or high-volume U.S. payroll operations.
• Strong knowledge of multi-state payroll, wage and hour requirements, payroll taxation, deductions, garnishments, reconciliations, and quarter/year-end processing.
• Strong analytical and reconciliation skills, sound judgment, and the ability to independently investigate and resolve payroll issues.
• Strong Excel skills and comfort working with payroll reports, data validation, and large data sets.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across Payroll, HR, Finance, Benefits, and external vendors.
• Workday Payroll experience strongly preferred, with the ability to partner effectively with a dedicated payroll systems analyst.
• Canadian payroll experience preferred; experience supporting employees across multiple provinces is a plus.
• Prior experience as a senior payroll processor preferred.

Base salary range: $65-70K, plus bonus potential if applicable for role. Actual base salary is dependent on several factors including but not limited to; market dynamics, location and region, experience, specialized skills/training (education), level of responsibility, budgetary considerations, tenure at the company (for current employees), etc. The salary range listed is just one component of the total compensation package for employees. Compensation decisions are dependent on circumstances of each role

What We Offer

• Professional Development: Take advantage of our learning and development programs, mentorship opportunities, and career advancement support.
• Generous Time Off: Enjoy generous paid time off and holiday allowances to recharge and spend time with loved ones.
• Parental Leave: We provide paid parental leave to support your family during important life events.
• Retirement Plan: 401k plan including contribution matching.
• Healthcare: Medical, dental, vision, FSA/HSA, life and disability coverage options.
• Ancillary: Critical illness, identity protection, pet insurance, 529 plans and more.
• Commuter Benefits: Access support for travel and commuting needs, where available.

THETEAM does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits. THETEAM is proudly an equal opportunity employer.

We are always searching for the most passionate and talented people from all backgrounds and experiences to join us.

More than 20 years into our evolution, we continue to expand our global reach and capabilities to serve clients across sports, music and entertainment. We are committed to making a meaningful impact across key areas of inclusion, community service and sustainability — not only for our employees, but for clients and the industry at large.

If this sounds like a place you'd like to work, let's talk! THETEAM is a leading global sports, music and entertainment company. Led by intelligence, ideas and influence, we provide representation and marketing services to talent, brands and properties.