Payroll Specialist

Project Worldwide; Auburn Hills (MI); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Project Worldwide is seeking a Payroll Specialist (Contract) to manage and process payroll accurately for multiple locations. You will collaborate with HR and Finance to ensure compliance with tax regulations and payroll controls, with the contract through March 2027.

The role requires experience in weekly and bi-weekly payroll, data entry, tax changes, garnishments, and audits, with strong attention to detail and confidentiality. Hybrid work at the Auburn Hills office is available.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 2+ years of payroll processing experience, preferably in a corporate or multi-state environment.
• Proficiency in ADP, Workday, JD Edwards EnterpriseONE, Microsoft Office, and Google G-Suite.
• Excellent attention to detail, well organized.
• Mathematical and calculation skills.
• Clear verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to focus on detailed information, manage multiple tasks simultaneously, and meet deadlines under pressure.
• Read and interpret data on a computer screen and on standard printed documents.
• Requires handling of sensitive data with the expectation to maintain strict confidentiality and follow all applicable data security protocols.

Responsibilities

• Administration and processing of weekly and bi-weekly payroll for Shop and Office employees, including data entry of changes, payroll processing, and system maintenance.
• Entering any special bonuses, sick, ESOP, bonuses and holiday hours.
• Processing payroll changes (New hires, separations, etc.).
• Perform payroll-related functions including but not limited to; processing tax changes, wage garnishments, deductions, and direct deposit.
• Audit employee timesheets for hours worked and accuracy.
• Post global JDE job cost time entries.
• Ensure questions from employees are addressed in a timely manner with a focus on customer service.
• Oversees maintenance and retention of payroll records.
• Review and approve payroll cycle reports, changes made to earning and deduction records, and special items.
• Manage and maintain employee payroll records.
• Maintain strong controls in preparation, review, and distribution of company’s payroll.
• Provide timely postings of all payrolls for general ledger accounting.
• Support internal audit and audit requests, as necessary.
• Work with benefits and HR teams who provide information for payroll processing.
• Participate in team or cross-functional initiatives as needed.
• Other duties as assigned in alignment with business needs.

Skills

Payroll processing

Attention to detail

Communication

Teamwork

Time management

Data interpretation

Confidentiality

Education

Associate degree in Accounting/Finance/Business

Tools

ADP

Workday

JD Edwards EnterpriseOne

Microsoft Office

Google G-Suite

Job description

Power the Creative Alliance Built for a New Era.

Project Worldwide is a radically collaborative alliance of elite independent agencies operating as one connected creative force. We are a Creative Alliance for the Ambitious.

Project Worldwide is a global network of 13 agencies, 45 offices, and 2,300 creative allies united by Hyperconnected Creativity™. The alliance helps brands build meaningful brand experiences by connecting expertise across marketing, communications, entertainment, strategy, and innovation. Through collaboration and entrepreneurial thinking, Project agencies deliver bold ideas that challenge conventions and drive real impact for clients worldwide. Visit us at project.com.

Why Join Our Team?

Seamless Collaboration: We don’t believe in transactional structures. Our teams build and own the shared operational frameworks that allow talent, technology, and ideas to deploy fluidly across the alliance. You are the backbone that accelerates our speed-to-market.

An Environment of Ownership: We are an agency-first, Employee-Owned network. We invest heavily in our people, creating clear career pathways and fostering a professional corporate culture that is deeply inspired by brave brands and bold, modern creators.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Project Worldwide is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

About the Role:

Position Summary:

The Payroll Specialist (Contract) supports the payroll team by managing and processing payroll accurately and on time for multiple locations. This position should have a strong understanding of payroll processing, tax regulations, and compliance requirements. The role will collaborate with HR and Finance teams to ensure seamless payroll operations.

Contracted through March 2027

Essential Responsibilities:

• Administration and processing of weekly and bi-weekly payroll for our Shop and Office employees, including data entry of changes, payroll processing, and system maintenance.
• Entering any special bonuses, sick, ESOP, bonuses and holiday hours.
• Processing any payroll changes (New hires, separations, etc.).
• Perform payroll-related functions including but not limited to; processing tax changes, wage garnishments, deductions, and direct deposit.
• Audit employee timesheets for hours worked and accuracy.
• Post global JDE job cost time entries.
• Ensure questions from employees are being accurately answered and addressed in a timely manner with a focus on customer service.
• Oversees maintenance and retention of payroll records.
• Review and approve payroll cycle reports, changes made to earning and deduction records, and special items.
• Manage and maintain employee payroll records.
• Manage and maintain strong controls in preparation, review, and distribution of company’s payroll.
• Provide timely and accurate postings of all payrolls for general ledger accounting.
• Support internal audit and audit requests, as necessary.
• Work with benefits and HR teams who provide information for payroll processing.
• Participate in team or cross-functional initiatives as needed.
• Other duties as assigned in alignment with business needs.

Required Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 2+ years of payroll processing experience, preferably in a corporate or multi-state environment.
• Proficiency in ADP, Workday, JD Edwards EnterpriseONe, Microsoft Office, and Google G-Suite.
• Excellent attention to detail, well organized.
• Mathematical and calculation skills.
• Clear verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to focus on detailed information, manage multiple tasks simultaneously, and meet deadlines under pressure.
• Read and interpret data on a computer screen and on standard printed documents.
• Requires handling of sensitive data with the expectation to maintain strict confidentiality and follow all applicable data security protocols.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Collective Bargaining payroll.
• Experience processing payroll for multi-states.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

This role is classified as hybrid, with work being conducted at the Auburn Hills office periodically to fulfill job responsibilities. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.

• Standard office type work; prolonged periods of sitting and working on a computer (i.e., keyboard, mouse, and monitor).
• Physical demands may include walking, carrying, reaching, standing, and stooping.
• May involve occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds.

Additional Information:

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee incumbent in this position. The employee will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This job description is subject to change at any time. This job description is not a contract and does not alter the at-will employment relationship between the employee and the Company.