Payroll Lead, NA

Global Sports Jobs Limited; West Virginia; On-site; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k plan

Healthcare benefits

Paid time off

Parental leave

Commuter benefits

Job summary

THERTEAM is seeking a Payroll Lead, NA, to manage day-to-day U.S. and Canadian payroll operations. You will lead two Payroll Specialists, ensure accurate processing, and partner with the Payroll Manager and Workday Analyst to strengthen controls and resolve issues.

In this hands-on role, you will own end-to-end payroll cycles, coordinate quarter- and year-end activities, and escalate complex matters while maintaining compliance across federal, state, and local requirements.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of progressive payroll experience, including complex or high-volume U.S. payroll.
• Strong knowledge of multi-state payroll, taxes, deductions and quarter/year-end processing.
• Excellent analytical, reconciliation and communication skills; ability to work cross-functionally.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end payroll operations for U.S. and Canada, including calendars, inputs, approvals and post-payroll activities.
• Coach two Payroll Specialists and ensure cross-training and coverage.
• Perform payroll audits and reconciliations, investigate variances and ensure accurate gross-to-net results.
• Act as escalation point for complex payroll issues, including cross-border questions and garnishments.
• Coordinate quarter-end and year-end activities with internal partners and vendors.
• Maintain payroll controls, documentation and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Collaborate with Workday Payroll analyst on defects, changes, testing and automation opportunities.
• Communicate payroll impacts clearly to HR, Finance and Benefits; resolve matters with stakeholders.

Skills

Excel

Analytical skills

Payroll processing

Communication

Problem solving

Multi-state payroll knowledge

Tools

Workday Payroll

Job description

About the Role

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 role 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 postholder is expected to manage daily payroll operations independently while escalating material compliance, policy, or strategic matters to the Payroll Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• 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 finalised.
• 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 affecting 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 standardise 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.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• 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.

Preferred Skills

• Workday Payroll experience is strongly preferred, with the ability to partner effectively with a dedicated payroll systems analyst.
• Canadian payroll experience is preferred; experience supporting employees across multiple provinces is a plus.
• Prior experience as a senior payroll processor is preferred.

Salary

Base salary range of $65-70K, plus bonus potential if applicable for the role. Actual base salary is dependent on factors including market dynamics, location and region, experience, specialised skills or training (education), level of responsibility, budgetary considerations, and tenure at the company for current employees.

Benefits & Perks

• Professional development: learning and development programmes, mentorship opportunities, and career advancement support.
• Generous time off: generous paid time off and holiday allowances.
• Parental leave: paid parental leave to support employees during important life events.
• Retirement plan: 401k plan including contribution matching.
• Healthcare: medical, dental, vision, FSA/HSA, life and disability coverage options.
• Ancillary benefits: critical illness, identity protection, pet insurance, 529 plans and more.
• Commuter benefits: support for travel and commuting needs, where available.

About the Company

THERTEAM provides representation and marketing services to talent, brands and properties across 28 countries and more than 70 cities worldwide. Shaped by its belief in the unifying power of sports, music and entertainment, THERTEAM leads with intelligence, ideas and influence. THERTEAM does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, colour, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other reason prohibited by law in the provision of employment opportunities and benefits.