Payroll Specialist – Lead

Creative Financial Staffing, LLC; Watertown (WI); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with profit sharing

Tuition reimbursement

Parental leave

Generous PTO

Job summary

Creative Financial Staffing, LLC is seeking a Payroll Lead to oversee multi-state payroll operations and guide a small payroll team. You will handle end-to-end processing for hourly and salaried staff while ensuring regulatory compliance.

This hybrid role offers collaboration four days on-site and one remote day per week, with comprehensive benefits and opportunities to advance payroll processes and internal controls across the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field is preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience across multiple states.
• Experience leading or mentoring payroll professionals.
• Strong knowledge of payroll tax regulations, payroll systems, reporting, and advanced Excel skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end payroll processing for hourly and salaried employees across multiple states.
• Ensure compliance with payroll tax regulations, wage and hour laws, and reporting requirements.
• Oversee payroll audits, reconciliations, year-end processing, and regulatory filings.
• Manage, coach, and develop a team of two payroll professionals.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for payroll systems, reporting, and process administration.
• Identify and implement process improvements that enhance efficiency, controls, and data accuracy.

Skills

Multi-state payroll

Team leadership

Payroll tax regulations

Advanced Excel

Payroll systems

Payroll reporting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR, Accounting, Finance, Business Admin, or related field

Job description

Payroll Lead

Salary: $90,000 to $100,000

Why This Opportunity Stands Out:

• Lead payroll operations for a complex multi-state workforce


• Manage and mentor a team of payroll professionals while helping shape future processes and best practices


• Hybrid work schedule with four days onsite and one remote day per week


• Opportunity to drive automation, strengthen internal controls, and improve operational efficiency


• Partner directly with HR, Finance, Benefits, and Operations leadership teams


• High-impact role with visibility across the organization


• Comprehensive benefits package including 401(k) with profit sharing, tuition reimbursement, parental leave, and generous PTO


• Join a growing organization that values employee development and continuous improvement

Key Responsibilities for the Payroll Lead:

• Lead end-to-end payroll processing for hourly and salaried employees across multiple states


• Ensure compliance with payroll tax regulations, wage and hour laws, and reporting requirements


• Oversee payroll audits, reconciliations, year-end processing, and regulatory filings


• Manage, coach, and develop a team of two payroll professionals


• Serve as the subject matter expert for payroll systems, reporting, and process administration


• Identify and implement process improvements that enhance efficiency, controls, and data accuracy

Qualifications for the Payroll Lead:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field preferred


• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience, including multi-state payroll administration


• Experience leading, mentoring, or supervising payroll professionals preferred


• Strong knowledge of payroll tax regulations, payroll systems, reporting, and advanced Excel skills