Senior Payroll Lead — Multi-State & Workday Expert

Aston Carter; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Aston Carter is seeking a Payroll Team Lead in Chicago, IL to oversee end-to-end multi-state payroll processing and compliance. You will lead biweekly cycles, ensure data integrity, and act as the primary escalation point for complex payroll issues across multiple entities.

The role requires extensive payroll experience, strong knowledge of regulations, and preferred Workday Payroll proficiency with CPP designation. A hybrid work model is offered with on-site days required for payroll processing.

Qualifications

• 10–15 years of payroll experience with lead responsibilities.
• Expert in multi-state payroll, FLSA and wage/hour laws.
• Hands-on Workday Payroll experience preferred.
• CPP designation preferred.
• Experience with NetSuite or similar GL systems a plus.
• Strong Excel skills for payroll reporting.

Responsibilities

• Own and execute biweekly multi-state payroll processing for exempt and nonexempt employees across multiple entities using Workday Payroll.
• Maintain payroll data integrity by auditing, calculating, and entering payroll information with high accuracy.
• Serve as escalation point for complex payroll questions and year-end processes, including W-2s, balancing, and amendments.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations (FLSA, wage/hour, overtime, termination pay).
• Manage payroll tax obligations, registering in new states and resolving notices with third parties.
• Partner with HR, Finance, and leadership on onboarding, offboarding, compensation changes, deductions, and benefits.
• Develop and maintain payroll reporting and analytics for leadership needs.
• Reconcile monthly payroll bank transactions and support month-end close (journal entries, GL reconciliations).
• Identify opportunities to automate manual payroll processes and improve efficiency.

Skills

Payroll leadership

Multi-state payroll

Workday Payroll

CPP designation

NetSuite

Excel reporting

Tools

Workday Payroll

NetSuite

Job description

Aston Carter is seeking a Payroll Team Lead in Chicago, IL to oversee end-to-end multi-state payroll processing and compliance. You will lead biweekly cycles, ensure data integrity, and act as the primary escalation point for complex payroll issues across multiple entities.

The role requires extensive payroll experience, strong knowledge of regulations, and preferred Workday Payroll proficiency with CPP designation. A hybrid work model is offered with on-site days required for payroll processing.