Payroll Specialist (ADP & Workday)

BDA, LLC; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Robust PTO

Holiday and vacation time

401k

Medical, dental, vision

Tuition reimbursement

Life and AD&D insurance

Job summary

BDA is seeking an experienced Payroll Specialist to manage domestic and international payroll for 1,000+ employees, using ADP and Workday. You will partner with HR, Finance, and leaders to ensure accuracy, compliance, and ongoing process improvements.

This onsite role requires presence in Austin, TX or Troy, MI four days a week. The position offers a competitive base salary range of $75,000–$90,000 plus comprehensive benefits, PTO, and opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of payroll experience across multiple states and international payroll.
• Workday experience required; global implementation experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of payroll tax regulations (federal, state, local).
• Experience with ADP and HRIS/payroll systems.
• Advanced Excel skills for reporting and reconciliations.
• Attention to detail and ability to handle confidential data.

Responsibilities

• Process payroll for 1,000+ employees across states and global locations using ADP.
• Support domestic and international payroll processing with global partners.
• Manage garnishments, wage verifications, and payroll compliance in ADP.
• Audit and reconcile PTO accruals and payroll deductions.
• Manage electronic timekeeping for hourly employees.
• Ensure commissions and bonuses align with compensation structures.
• Run payroll reports to support audits and compliance.
• Use ADP SmartCompliance for garnishments and pay cards.
• Collaborate with HRIS, HR Operations, Finance on payroll improvements.
• Support Workday-related payroll initiatives: configuration, testing, data validation.
• Assist with payroll tax setup and compliance review.
• Serve as payroll systems SME and mentor teammates.
• Provide guidance during payroll system updates and implementations.

Skills

Payroll processing

Multi-state payroll

International payroll

ADP

Workday

Excel advanced

Data analysis

Attention to detail

English fluency

Education

Payroll certification

Tools

ADP

Workday

Excel

Job description

Most companies claim to have the best people. We say to them, "Keep dreaming." Our people are second to none. They set us apart with their entrepreneurial spirit and ambition. They come to us from the likes of Amazon, Microsoft, Nordstrom, Starbucks and the sports world, bringing energy, bold ideas and a willingness to dive into the unfamiliar. It's our people that make BDA the top global Merchandise Agency to work for.

Payroll Specialist

BDA is seeking an experienced Payroll Specialist with a strong background in domestic and international payroll processing, payroll systems, and HRIS support. The ideal candidate will bring at least 5 years of hands-on payroll experience, strong knowledge of ADP and Workday, and advanced Excel skills to support detailed reporting, reconciliations, payroll audits, and system-driven process improvements.

This role is a great fit for someone who enjoys payroll accuracy, compliance, systems optimization, and cross-functional partnership with HR, Finance, and business leaders. Experience supporting or leading Workday implementations, global payroll projects, or HRIS/payroll process improvements is highly preferred.

Location: This role requires onsite presence 4 days a week at our Austin,TX or Troy, MI location.

Responsibilities

• Process weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly payroll for 1,000+ employees across multiple states and global locations using ADP.
• Support domestic and international payroll processing, including coordination with global payroll partners and systems.
• Manage state and federally mandated garnishments, wage verifications, and related payroll compliance items within ADP.
• Maintain, audit, and reconcile employee PTO accruals, payroll deductions, and related balances.
• Manage the electronic and online timekeeping system for hourly employees.
• Ensure commissions, sales incentives, and bonuses are paid accurately and on time, in alignment with compensation structures.
• Run weekly, monthly, and ad hoc payroll reports to support audits, reconciliations, compliance, and business needs.
• Use ADP SmartCompliance for garnishments, pay cards, and related payroll processes.
• Partner with HRIS, HR Operations, Finance, and business stakeholders to improve payroll processes, reporting, and system accuracy.
• Support Workday-related payroll and HRIS initiatives, including configuration, testing, data validation, implementation support, and process documentation.
• Assist with payroll tax setup, compliance review, and issue resolution related to federal, state, local, and international payroll requirements.
• Serve as a payroll systems subject matter expert, helping identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.
• Provide guidance, mentoring, or project support to team members during payroll system updates, implementations, or process changes.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of payroll experience, including multi-state and international payroll processing.
• Workday experience required; experience supporting or implementing Workday in a global organization strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of payroll tax regulations, including federal, state, local, pension, filings, and garnishment processing.
• Experience setting up, auditing, or troubleshooting payroll tax-related items within payroll/HRIS systems preferred.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, advanced formulas, reconciliations, and reporting.
• Strong attention to detail, analytical thinking, problem-solving ability, and reconciliation skills.
• Ability to manage confidential data with discretion and professionalism.
• Fluent English required.
• Payroll certification preferred, or equivalent years of payroll experience.
• Former ADP experience highly preferred.

Preferred Experience

• Mix of payroll operations and HRIS/systems experience.
• Workday implementation experience in a global organization.
• Advanced Workday knowledge; ability to serve as a Workday/payroll systems SME.
• Experience as a project lead, manager, mentor, or key contributor during a Workday implementation.
• Experience partnering cross-functionally with HR, Finance, IT, and external payroll vendors.
• Project management experience related to payroll, HRIS, Workday, ADP, or global payroll implementations.
• Experience improving payroll processes, documenting workflows, validating data, and supporting change management.

We are pleased to share the base salary range for this position is $75,000 to $90,000. If you are hired at BDA, your compensation will be determined based on factors that may include geographic location, skills, education, and experience. In addition to these factors, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as a part of any offer. In the spirit of pay transparency, the range listed is the full base salary range for the role and hiring at the top of the range would not be typical, in order to allow for future salary growth. The range listed is just one component of BDA's total compensation and rewards programs, which includes: robust PTO; vacation, a paid volunteer day, holidays and summer Fridays, Benefits; medical, dental, vision, life, and AD&D insurance, 401k; tuition reimbursement, mental health and financial wellness programs and professional development opportunities including tuition reimbursement. Certain revenue-generating positions may be eligible for incentive compensation.

BDA is more than a workplace - it’s a family. For more than four decades we've promoted a vibrant and welcoming culture that not only accepts but demands you to be different. The quirky, the bold, the creative and the unique make up the foundation of a company that the most iconic brands in the world look to help tell their story through the power of merchandise. BDA Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Must be 18 years or older to apply.