Payroll Specialist

Talentify; Lakeland (FL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health benefits

Career advancement

Training and development

Collaborative environment

Job summary

Talentify in Lakeland, FL is seeking a Payroll Specialist to manage complex payroll cases and drive process improvements. This role supports enterprise-wide payroll operations and requires analytical problem-solving.

You'll serve as escalation point for Tier 2 inquiries, analyze payroll data, ensure compliance with FICA/IRS/state regulations, and collaborate to implement controls. There is a focus on knowledge sharing and coaching Tier 1 staff; strong Excel and SAP ECP experience needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, HR, or equivalent experience.
• At least 3 years in payroll processing and case management, with 1+ year handling Tier 2 issues.
• Proficiency with payroll systems (SAP ECP) and advanced Excel/Power Query.
• Strong knowledge of federal and state payroll tax regulations (FICA, IRS, state withholding).
• Excellent communication and data-driven decision making.

Responsibilities

• Escalation point for Tier 2 payroll inquiries, from intake to closure.
• Analyze payroll data to identify root causes and coordinate corrective actions.
• Maintain detailed case records and report trends, SLA compliance, and metrics.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, and IT to implement process improvements and controls.
• Coach Tier 1 staff to enhance proficiency and resolution quality.

Skills

Payroll processing

Data analysis

Communication skills

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

SAP ECP

Excel

Power Query

Job description

About the Role

Join a fast-paced, collaborative team in Lakeland, FL as a Payroll Specialist, where you'll play a pivotal role in managing complex payroll cases and driving process improvements. This position is ideal for an analytical problem-solver eager to grow in a dynamic, tech-driven environment supporting enterprise-wide payroll operations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the escalation point for advanced payroll inquiries, managing Tier 2 case investigations from intake to closure
• Analyze payroll data to identify root causes, coordinate corrective actions, and ensure compliance across HR, Finance, and IT systems
• Maintain detailed and compliant case records; generate and present regular reports on case trends, SLA compliance, and process metrics
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to implement process improvements and preventative controls
• Provide coaching and knowledge-sharing to Tier 1 staff to enhance team-wide proficiency and resolution effectiveness

Required Skills and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Human Resources, or equivalent experience
• At least 3 years in payroll processing and case management, with a minimum of 1 year handling complex/Tier 2 payroll issues
• Proficiency with payroll systems (SAP ECP highly valued) and advanced Excel/Power Query skills
• Strong understanding of federal and state payroll tax regulations (FICA, IRS, state withholding)
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving abilities with a focus on data-driven decision making
• Excellent communication skills for conveying complex payroll issues to diverse audiences
• Deep knowledge of payroll principles and processes

Preferred Skills

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)
• Advanced SAP Employee Central systems experience
• Strong customer service orientation with a proven commitment to accuracy and timeliness
• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to manage multiple cases concurrently
• Proven ability to collaborate across teams and drive continuous improvement

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive health benefits package
• Career advancement opportunities in a growing organization
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Collaborative and supportive work environment
• Flexible work arrangements available