Senior Compensation Specialist

Four, Inc.; Herndon (VA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401k with match

Company‑paid life/short‑term disabled

Long‑term disability insurance

Paid time off

Federal holidays off

Hybrid work environment

Job summary

Four Inc. in Herndon, VA is seeking a Senior Compensation Specialist to own end-to-end payroll and compensation programs. Hybrid work arrangement with onsite presence in Herndon three days per week. You will partner with HR and Finance to ensure accurate payroll, equitable compensation, and compliant reporting.

The role requires strong payroll experience, detailed analysis, and collaboration with leadership to scale payroll operations in a growing organization.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in multi-state payroll processing.
• 5+ years supporting compensation; bonuses and commissions.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency.
• Experience with HRIS/payroll systems; Paycor preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage end-to-end biweekly payroll for ~100 employees.
• Ensure compliance with federal/state/local payroll laws and GovCon standards.
• Support payroll reconciliations and audits with Controller.
• Lead year-end processes, ACA, and W‑2 preparation/distribution.
• Manage incentive programs and 401(k) administration.

Skills

Payroll processing

Compensation management

Excel advanced

HRIS experience

Tools

Paycor

Job description

Senior Compensation Specialist

Location: Hybrid in Herndon, VA (3 days/week on site)
Clearance Required: None
Duration: Full-time, Permanent
Pay Type: W2 employee
Reporting to: Director of Human Resources and Training
Dotted Line to: Controller
Management Duties: None
Compensation: $90,000–$105,000 annually

Position Overview

The Senior Compensation Specialist is a key member of the HR and Accounting teams responsible for executing the company’s compensation programs, owning the accurate and compliant delivery of multi-state payroll, and assisting with broader total rewards administration. This individual contributor role partners with the Director of Human Resources to support compensation program execution and collaborates with the Controller to maintain payroll accuracy, financial integrity, and appropriate internal controls. The role combines strategic ownership of compensation and payroll systems and processes with hands‑on execution of day-to-day compensation and payroll operations. The ideal candidate brings prior compensation and payroll experience, strong attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to build and maintain efficient, repeatable processes in a fast‑paced, growth‑oriented environment.

Essential Functions

• Own and manage end-to-end biweekly payroll processing for approximately 100 employees, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.
• Partner with the HR Director to ensure complex situations such as garnishments and leaves of absence (STD, LTD, parental leave, furloughs, etc.) are managed appropriately, employees are paid accurately, and benefits deductions are processed accordingly.
• Partner with the Controller to support payroll reconciliations, general ledger alignment, internal controls, and audits.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local payroll regulations and wage and hour laws. Ensure compliance with specific contract standards and specialized GovCon legislation (e.g. SCA) where applicable.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for compensation and payroll-related employee inquiries and issue resolution, escalating to Controller and/or Director of HR where necessary.
• Lead year‑end payroll processes and required compliance reporting including ACA and W‑2 preparation and distribution.
• Administer accurate monthly short‑term incentive, long‑term incentive, commission, and other bonus programs, including eligibility tracking, payment calculations in support of accounting accruals, and payment processing. This high‑visibility process will require interaction with the Controller, Director of Finance, Director of HR and potentially the Chief Executive Officer, as needed.
• Support administration of the company’s 401(k) retirement plan in partnership with HR and Finance/Accounting.
• Serve as a subject matter expert during any future HRIS or Payroll provider migration.
• Review timesheets each pay period, ensuring their accuracy by verifying changes and resolving issues.
• With the Director of HR, build and maintain market‑aligned salary ranges across the organization and ensure updates are reflected in the HRIS.
• Review and process compensation changes to ensure alignment with company pay practices and established ranges.
• Prepare reports and analyze data related to payroll, benefits and compensation programs, including internal equity reviews.
• Maintain accurate employee data across HRIS and payroll systems. Regularly perform audits and support system improvements to increase efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.
• Draft and distribute employee communications related to payroll and compensation programs. Support employee education initiatives related to payroll and compensation.
• Maintain confidentiality and compliance with all applicable laws and company policies.
• Lead the continued scaling of payroll and compensation operations in a growing, multi‑state environment.
• Participate in special projects and cross‑functional initiatives as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

What We Offer

• Competitive pay and benefits (medical, dental, vision, 401k with match, company‑paid life/short‑term disability, long‑term disability insurance, paid time off, all federal holidays off, etc.)
• Great company culture and perks (regular office happy hours, peer‑to‑peer recognition program, free building gym access, hybrid work environment, etc.)
• Opportunity to shape and improve Payroll & Compensation foundations in a growing organization.
• Collaborative environment with room for professional development and learning.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in payroll administration, including multi‑state payroll processing and full‑cycle payroll processing.
• 5+ years of experience supporting compensation. Demonstrated experience calculating and processing bonus and commission payments required.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel required.
• Experience working with HRIS and payroll systems required; Paycor experience preferred. Prior implementation experience preferred.
• Excellent critical thinking skills, including the ability to creatively and independently solve problems, required.
• Ability to quickly learn and fluidly navigate different computer systems (CRM, HRIS, Payroll system, etc.) as an administrator, including a strong understanding of how these systems are configured (e.g. workflows).
• Strong knowledge of payroll, benefits, and employment laws and regulations including FLSA, ACA, COBRA, ERISA, SCA, and HIPAA.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline‑driven environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to partner effectively across HR, Finance, and leadership teams.
• Ability to operate independently, prioritize effectively, and maintain a high standard of accuracy and follow‑through. Must be able to execute tasks independently.
• Exceptional attention to detail, analytical proficiency, and organization skills.
• Level‑headed with sound judgment and demonstrated discretion in handling confidential information.
• An appreciation for both the strategic importance of strong HR/Payroll systems and the necessity of hands‑on execution to keep those systems running.
• A desire to continue growing and learning new things.
• A collaborative, proactive mindset. Good team player.

Physical Requirements

The work is generally sedentary and performed in an office or remote setting; however, some travel to government or partner sites may be required. The position may require:

• Visual acuity to view computer screens, read technical documents, and perform data analysis and data entry
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods
• Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, mouse, and other office equipment
• Occasional lifting or carrying of equipment, boxes, or documents (typically under 40 lbs)
• Ability to hear and speak clearly in virtual and in‑person meetings

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Four Inc. is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled persons and veterans. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. We actively seek to recruit, hire, and promote qualified veterans and individuals with disabilities.

This job opening will be listed with the appropriate state workforce agency as required under the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA).