Payroll Specialist

Thomson Reuters; Eagan (MN); On-site; USD 48,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Retirement benefits

Job summary

Thomson Reuters is seeking a Payroll Specialist to lead payroll operations for employees across six countries, including EOR locations. You will oversee governance, accuracy, and compliance while partnering with outsourced providers and internal teams.

The role requires 5+ years in payroll, including global experience, and a minimum of 2 years in a supervisory capacity. Strong technical knowledge and CPP certification are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience, including global payroll operations.
• Minimum 2+ years in a supervisory/management role.

Responsibilities

• Lead payroll strategy and governance for six countries and EOR locations.
• Partner with outsourced providers, HR, Finance, Tax and IT to ensure timely payroll.
• Develop controls to prevent errors, duplicate payments, and fraud.
• Monitor audits, reporting, and year-end payroll activities.
• Drive continuous improvement and payroll service delivery in a multi-jurisdictional environment.

Skills

Global payroll

Payroll governance

Leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Payroll tax compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field

Tools

ADP

SAP

Job description

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for the strategic oversight, governance, and operational excellence of payroll processes supporting employees across six countries, as well as additional locations managed through Employer of Record (EOR) arrangements. This role partners closely with outsourced payroll providers, HR, Finance, Tax, and Technology teams to ensure accurate, compliant, and timely payroll execution. The position leads a team of payroll professionals, drives continuous improvement initiatives, maintains a strong internal control environment, and ensures compliance with all applicable payroll regulations.

Key Responsibilities

Team Management

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of payroll professionals responsible for supporting global payroll operations.
• Build organizational capability through coaching, succession planning, and talent development.
• Set performance goals and conduct regular reviews
• Allocate workload and ensure adequate coverage to meet business needs
• Foster a culture of accountability, customer service, and continuous improvement

Payroll Operations

• Develop and execute the payroll strategy aligned with organizational objectives
• Establish and maintain payroll governance standards, operating procedures, and performance reporting frameworks
• Responsible for payroll across six countries, as well as additional locations managed through Employer of Record (EOR) arrangements, ensuring compliance with local statutory, tax, employment, and reporting requirements
• Lead transformational initiatives to improve payroll service delivery and employee experience
• Proactively manage payroll auditing, validation, and approval
• Responsible for payroll delivery, vendor governance, operational effectiveness initiatives, service level performance, and management of end-to-end payroll controls
• Serve as the primary contact for payroll tax-related issues and partner with internal and external stakeholders to research and resolve complex matters
• Manage various audits, such as employment tax audits and internal/external audits
• Manage the administration of the registration or closure of employment tax authorizations as well as the remittance and reporting of payroll tax
• Analyze payroll metrics and trends to identify risks, improve processes, and support strategic decision-making
• Lead the governance and performance management of outsourced payroll providers, ensuring achievement of contractual service levels, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence
• Manage vendor relationships to deliver timely, accurate and compliant payroll
• Resolve discrepancies, payment issues, and vendor inquiries

Controls & Compliance

• Design and enforce internal controls to prevent duplicate payments, fraud, and errors
• Support proper segregation of duties
• Monitor regulatory developments impacting payroll tax compliance
• Ensure accurate payroll tax filings, remittances, reconciliations, and year-end reporting.
• Ensure compliance with company policy, tax regulations, and audit requirements
• Assess and remediate payroll process risks on an ongoing basis
• Ensure proper recording of liabilities and accruals in accordance with applicable accounting standards

Systems & Process Improvement

• Manage payroll software/ERP systems (e.g., ADP/SAP etc.)
• Demonstrate a continuous improvement mindset
• Lead automation and efficiency initiatives
• Develop and maintain process documentation and standard operating procedures
• Collaborate with IT/Finance on system upgrades or integrations
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Partner with Finance and HR on payroll-related policies and procedures
• Partner with Finance to ensure timely and accurate payroll accounting, reporting, accruals, reconciliations, journal entries, and balance sheet account reviews
• Partner with Tax and external advisors on complex payroll tax matters
• Serve as point of escalation for vendor and internal stakeholder issues

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience, including global payroll operations in a complex, multi-jurisdictional environment.
• Minimum 2+ years in a supervisory/management role
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of payroll tax and employment regulations
• Knowledge of accounting, with a focus on payroll accounting
• Experience with internal controls aimed at reducing operational risk
• Experience mentoring and coaching a team
• Ability to research, identify and resolve complex payroll issues

Preferred

• Experience with ADP HR/Payroll/Time Reporting is a plus
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation strongly preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of MS productivity tools (MS Office); Word, PPT, and Excel
• Project Management mindset and experience
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Highly motivated, accountable and responsible
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and vendors
• Problem-solving and process improvement mindset
• Strong organizational and time-management abilities.
• Strong vendor and stakeholder relationship management
• Strategic thinking and decision-making
• Change leadership and organizational agility
• Risk management and governance
• Data analytics and performance management
• Executive presence and stakeholder influence

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

The pay range that the employer in good faith reasonably expects to pay for this position is $35-$40/hr USD.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

Our optional benefits can include medical, dental, vision and retirement benefits.

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.