Senior Payroll Analyst

Children's National Hospital; Silver Spring (MD); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Children's National Hospital in Silver Spring, Maryland, is seeking a Senior Payroll Analyst to manage and support payroll operations across multiple jurisdictions. This role requires advanced payroll knowledge and skills to ensure compliance, accuracy, and proper mentorship of junior analysts.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree and 5 years of payroll experience, with an emphasis on financial systems like Workday or UKG. Responsibilities include payroll processing, audits, and implementing system improvements.

Qualifications

• 5 years of payroll experience, including complex, off-cycle, or multi-state processing.
• Experienced in payroll system testing and enhancements.
• Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Execute and support end-to-end processing of various payroll types.
• Perform detailed reviews of payroll results for accuracy.
• Support payroll tax activities including reconciliations and filings.

Skills

Advanced payroll administration and tax compliance knowledge

Ability to interpret payroll laws across multi–state environments

Strong experience with audits and risk mitigation

Proficiency in Excel and payroll-related analytics

Ability to coach and support payroll staff

Education

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

Tools

Workday

UKG

Job description

The Senior Payroll Analyst is an experienced individual contributor responsible for executing and supporting complex payroll operations across multiple jurisdictions and pay cycles. This role applies advanced judgment to resolve escalated payroll, tax, and compliance issues; supports audits and year‑end activities; and contributes to payroll system enhancements and process improvements.

The Senior Payroll Analyst partners closely with HR, Finance, and the Lead Payroll Analyst to ensure payroll is accurate, compliant, and well‑controlled, while mentoring less‑experienced analysts and delivering advanced operational analytics.

Minimum Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field (required)

Minimum Work Experience

• Equivalent experience may be considered (required)
• 5 years of payroll experience, including complex, off‑cycle, or multi‑state processing (required)
• Advanced experience supporting payroll operations within Workday, UKG, or equivalent enterprise payroll platforms

Required Certifications

• Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) – preferred

Required Skills/Knowledge

• Certified Payroll Professional Preferred - Preferred
• Advanced payroll administration and tax compliance knowledge
• Ability to interpret and apply payroll laws across multi‑state environments
• Strong experience with audits, reconciliations, and risk mitigation activities
• Experience supporting payroll system testing, upgrades, and enhancements
• Ability to analyze payroll trends and identify control gaps or improvement opportunities
• Proficiency in Excel and payroll‑related analytics
• Capability to coach and support payroll staff through knowledge sharing

Functional Accountabilities

Advanced Payroll Administration

• Execute and support end‑to‑end processing of regular, bonus, retroactive, equity, and off‑cycle payrolls
• Perform detailed reviews of payroll results to ensure accuracy, compliance, and adherence to internal controls
• Configure and validate complex earnings, deductions, and taxation scenarios based on established frameworks
• Investigate and resolve escalated payroll discrepancies and employee inquiries, escalating high‑risk issues as appropriate

Tax & Compliance Support

• Support payroll tax activities including reconciliations, filings, amendments, and issue resolution
• Apply federal, state, and local wage‑hour, tax, and reporting requirements across jurisdictions
• Monitor regulatory changes and assist with the implementation of compliant payroll practices
• Identify potential compliance risks and collaborate with the Lead Payroll Analyst on mitigation actions
• Support year‑end payroll activities, including W‑2 preparation, reconciliations, and reporting

Systems & Process Enablement

• Participate in payroll system implementations, upgrades, integrations, and testing initiatives
• Document payroll requirements and assist with system configuration and validation
• Support payroll process improvements focused on efficiency, accuracy, and data integrity
• Assist in evaluating automation or optimization opportunities within payroll operations

Payroll Data & Analysis

• Prepare payroll analytics and reports to support operational and compliance decision‑making
• Analyze payroll trends, variances, and anomalies across pay periods
• Maintain payroll KPIs, control metrics, and compliance tracking tools
• Summarize findings and provide insights to the Lead Payroll Analyst and stakeholders

Knowledge Sharing & Collaboration

• Provide day‑to‑day guidance and support to junior payroll analysts
• Share best practices, documentation, and procedural knowledge
• Partner with HR, Finance, Compensation, Benefits, and Tax teams on payroll‑related initiatives
• Support communications with payroll vendors and agencies under the guidance of senior payroll leadership