Payroll Specialist

First Hospitality, Inc.; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance enrollment from DAY 1

Paid time off from DAY 1

Holiday pay from DAY 1

401(k) enrollment after 30 days

Hotel and travel discounts

Professional development and promotion

Job summary

First Hospitality, Inc. is seeking a Payroll Specialist in a hybrid role based in Chicago. You will handle weekly and bi-weekly multi-state payroll for about 50 hotels, ensuring accuracy and timeliness using UKG Dimensions.

The position reports to the Payroll Manager and collaborates with corporate and property teams. The ideal candidate has multi-state payroll experience, familiarity with UKG, and strong Excel skills.

Qualifications

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Enjoy applying knowledge to improve processes and resolve issues.
• Appreciate structure and consistency in daily work.
• Self-motivated and results-driven.
• Excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Process weekly and bi-weekly multi-state payroll accurately and on time using UKG Dimensions.
• Perform standard pre- and post-payroll audits.
• Administer and maintain the time and attendance system in UKG.
• Analyze and audit employee tax withholding, direct deposit, wage distribution, and other payroll data.
• Reconcile and file labor and unemployment reports as required.
• Resolve routine employee and manager payroll questions.
• Use payroll/HRIS systems to process transactions and reports.
• Assist with year-end processing of W-2s and W-2Cs.
• Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies, recommending process improvements.
• Collaborate with corporate and property teams to ensure payroll accuracy.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations.
• Process and manage garnishments.
• Assist with special projects as needed.

Skills

Attention to detail

Process improvement

Collaboration

Deadline-driven

Independence

Tools

UKG Dimensions

UltiPro

Kronos

Excel

Office 365

Job description

The impact you will make....

At First Hospitality, our purpose is simple yet powerful: to care for you on our journey together. Payroll Specialists play a vital role in supporting overall associate satisfaction by ensuring timely and accurate payroll processing. Responsible for weekly and bi-weekly payrolls for approximately 50 hotels, this role follows established procedures for system entries, calculations, internal and external interfaces, and payroll audits. The Payroll Specialist partners closely with both corporate and property teams and reports directly to the Payroll Manager.

To foster connection and collaboration, this role follows a hybrid work schedule with four in-office days per week. One remote day may be offered, subject to departmental needs and leadership approval.

You’ll thrive in this role if you…

• Have a strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
• Enjoy applying knowledge to improve processes and resolve issues
• Appreciate structure and consistency in your daily work
• Are self-motivated and results-driven
• Excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment

What you’ll be doing…

• Process weekly and bi-weekly multi-state payroll accurately and on time using UKG Dimensions
• Performs standard pre- and post-payroll audits
• Administer and maintain the time and attendance system in UKG
• Analyze and audit employee tax withholding, direct deposit, wage distribution, and other payroll data
• Reconcile and file labor and unemployment reports as required
• Resolves routine employee and manager payroll questions
• Uses payroll/HRIS systems to process transactions and reports
• Assist with year-end processing of W-2s and W-2Cs
• Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies, recommending process improvements
• Collaborate regularly with corporate and property teams to ensure payroll accuracy
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations
• Process and manage garnishments
• Assist with special projects as needed

Requirements…

• Minimum 3 years of payroll experience with a multi-state employer
• Experience with full-cycle payroll processing strongly preferred
• Previous experience with UltiPro or Kronos systems preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365, especially Excel
• Customer-focused mindset with strong service orientation
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality
• Strong collaboration skills and ability to work well in a team
• Ability to prioritize tasks and adapt to high-volume workloads
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
• Works independently within established procedures

What’s in it for you…

• Insurance enrollment available from DAY 1!
• Paid time off available from DAY 1!
• Holiday pay available from DAY 1!
• 401(k) enrollment after 30 days!
• Hotel and travel discounts at worldwide destinations!
• Professional development and promotion opportunities!

About First Hospitality…

Founded in 1985 and based in Chicago, First Hospitality is a forward-thinking hotel development, investment, and management company. First Hospitality’s strategic vision is to create value for all through excellence and an openness to doing things differently.

First Hospitality seeks to attract and retain a high-performing and diverse workforce in which employee’s differences are respected and valued to better meet the varying needs of the customers we serve. FH fosters an inclusive work environment that promotes collaboration, flexibility, and fairness. Equal Opportunity Employer.

Source: Hospitality Online