Payroll Specialist

Datadog; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 117,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Stock equity RSUs

Health benefits

Job summary

Datadog is seeking a Payroll Specialist to support the US payroll process for over 3,000 employees. You will manage the semi-monthly payroll for salaried exempt and nonexempt staff, review accuracy, and partner with senior team leads to ensure timely payrolls in Workday.

You will also provide admin support for Canada and Latin America populations, collaborate with People and Finance to scale payroll operations, and assist with audits, equity transactions, and government reporting.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of payroll processing experience in a multi-state environment.
• Experience with ADP or Workday; at least one required.
• Knowledge of payroll laws (SOX, FLSA) and gov reporting.
• Strong Excel/Google Sheets skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP).

Responsibilities

• Partner with payroll stakeholders to manage the semi-monthly US payroll in Workday.
• Process payroll for new hires, terminations, tax changes and transfers.
• Resolve discrepancies using Workday data reports.
• Handle equity transactions (RSUs, NSO, ISO) and related payrolls.
• Support audits with Finance, identify control improvements.
• Respond to payroll and tax inquiries and maintain records.

Skills

Attention to detail

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Time management

Tools

Workday

ADP

Excel

Google Sheets

Job description

Datadog is seeking a Payroll Specialist to keep up with our rapidly growing company. As a Payroll Specialist, you will support the US payroll process for over 3000 employees. Direct responsibilities will include facilitating the semi monthly payroll for salaried exempt and nonexempt employees. The Payroll Specialist will review accuracy and partner closely with senior team leads to ensure payrolls are processed in a timely fashion. You will also be responsible for providing administrative support across our Canada and Latin America population. Most importantly, you will collaborate with our People and Finance teams to continue to scale this important function.

At Datadog, we place value in our office culture - the relationships and collaboration it builds and the creativity it brings to the table. We operate as a hybrid workplace to ensure our Datadogs can create a work-life harmony that best fits them.

What You’ll Do

• Partner with payroll team stakeholders to analyze data entry feeds while also supporting the semi-monthly payroll process from start to finish, ensuring employees are paid correctly and on time within our Workday payroll module.
• Understand the US payroll function and process payroll according to internal accounting principals and regulatory requirements.
• Process new hires, terminations, status changes, tax changes, domestic and international transfers, 401k contribution feeds and changes, timesheet data, compensation changes, employee personal information changes, retroactive adjustments, garnishments and supplemental payments entered into Workday HRIS.
• Resolve payroll discrepancies by running and analyzing Workday data reports.
• Directly involved in processing of equity transactions inclusive of restricted stock units (RSU), non-qualified stock options (NSO), incentive stock options (ISO), disqualified dispositions and all other equity related transactions.
• Collaborate with Finance stakeholders to support audits, identify and implement control improvements, and ensure efficient processes are rigorously followed.
• Partner with SOX and 401k auditors where necessary.
• Handle government reporting inquiries for wages, payroll withholdings, cafeteria 125 plans, 401k retirement plan, garnishments, and all other payroll related government inquiries.
• Partner with team management to assist with setting up tax jurisdictions in Workday whenever necessary.
• Perform audits across all aspects of the Workday payroll module to ensure accuracy and reliability of payroll data.
• Respond as appropriate to payroll and tax inquiries as well as providing viable solutions to employee questions and concerns.
• Maintain payroll records according to record retention policy and employer obligations based on employment laws.
• Distribute correspondence to employee population whenever necessary.
• Assist in collecting data for internal and external audits, special projects and ad hoc payroll reports.
• Partner with team management to assist with Professional Employer Organizations (PEO) payrolls where needed.

Who You Are

• At least three years of experience processing payroll in a multi-state environment.
• Familiarity with payroll systems. ADP and Workday are both preferred. At least one is essential.
• Knowledge of legislation relevant to payroll (e.g., Sarbanes‑Oxley Act or FLSA).
• Proficiency with Excel and Google Sheets (e.g., pivot tables, VLOOKUP, SUMIF).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. The ability to communicate effectively to cross functional teams is essential.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills with a keen attention to detail.
• Sound professional judgment and discretion with handling confidential matters.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, high‑growth environment.

Datadog values people from all walks of life. We understand not everyone will meet all the above qualifications on day one. That's okay. If you’re passionate about technology and want to grow your skills, we encourage you to apply.

Benefits and Growth

• Generous and competitive benefits package
• New hire stock equity (RSUs) and employee stock purchase plan (ESPP)
• Continuous career development opportunities
• Product training to develop understanding of our product and space
• Best in breed onboarding
• Internal mentor and buddy program cross‑departmentally
• Friendly and inclusive workplace culture

Benefits and Growth listed above may vary based on the country of your employment and the nature of your employment with Datadog.

#LI-Hybrid

Datadog offers a competitive salary and equity package, and may include variable compensation. Actual compensation is based on factors such as the candidate's skills, qualifications, and experience. In addition, Datadog offers a wide range of best in class, comprehensive and inclusive employee benefits for this role including healthcare, dental, parental planning, and mental health benefits, a 401(k) plan and match, paid time off, fitness reimbursements, and a discounted employee stock purchase plan.

The reasonably estimated yearly salary for this role at Datadog is: $80,000 — $117,000 USD

Equal Opportunity at Datadog

Datadog is proud to offer equal employment opportunity to everyone regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, veteran status, and other characteristics protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. Here are our Candidate Legal Notices for your reference.